TAB to learn songs how many use it?

Billy Henderson · From: Portland, AR, USA

I can't get the hang of learning to play using tab. How many actually use tab? How do you learn to play?

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Learnin to read tab is just one tool that can make learnin steel guitar easier. YouTube video instruction is another tool I use that's the next best thing to sittin in front of a steel guitar teacher but developing a good ear is probably the most important tool that one can have in his learnin arsenal.

Robert Harper · From: Alabama, USA

I use tab, but I regret it is a crutch, that releaves my adult onset ADHD. I did not like cassette tapes that continually had to be reset. I never could quickly find the place i needed. I like CD at least the tunning is dead on, but ADHD still exist. I was advanced in age 34 when I was afflicted by this obssesion. If you ar young, and can find some one that doesn't expect Pete Drake, Buddy or some other great player sit in with them. I had trouble with singers. They seemed to have big egos. I never could figure out if they were so great why they hadn't been discovered and were playing in their garage or basement. That is also my issue. I am sure these were great people, when asleep. Another issue was for me to know songs from when I was a mere baby. Columbus Stockade Blues may have been a great song, but I think, if pressed, I could say I heard it once maybe twice. Just something to consider
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous

Stephen Cordingley · From: Ontario, Canada

I've learned using tab as my primary tool (along with a cd)
the tab and a recording approach works for me, as long as the tab is accurate ... once I can make a phrase sound right using the tab, I move on to piecing the next bits together... playing along with the cd when I've learned and more less memorized the song is the next big hurdle

I can record copy on regular guitar, but the intracacies of E9 was way too daunting, for me...

when I tried to create parts for orignal recordings,
however, I just referred to chord charts and used my ear ... some of the stuff sounds interesting, albeit simple and usually slightly out of tune
the hard part for me isn't making sense of the tab; it's playing all the parts together smoothly and without messing up along the way...just my 2 cents

Bo Legg · Posted 28 Dec 2010 5:07 pm

Usually tab is used so we can learn to play the musical Quotes of others and is used later as a reference due to the lack of Woodshed time. (Woodshed, now where have I heard that word in regard to tab).
I’m not knocking tab and I don’t mean to sound sarcastic but we all play mostly in Quotes, mixed matched and alterations of.
The rest seems to be just vamping with or without theory by playing scales over chords or chord substitutions which when stumbled on and sound good we might place them as a self Quote tab labeled “Genius” so we can find it in our tab archives.
At other times we will venture off and play what I refer to as canned riffs.
Like a canned riff going from the I chord to the IV chord, or the I chord to what the heck ever etc..
Use the current rages, COUNTER POINT & BAR SLANTS anywhere and everywhere you can, it’s a most. If you can twirl the bar that’s a real plus.
I love tab and think it is the best way to learn a lot over a short period of time.
Use tab whenever and wherever you want and ignore the criticism of the hypocrites.
P.S. Have you ever tried to Vamp a couple of Tritone Substitutions over the chords in “Your Cheating Heart”?
Don't!

Dickie Whitley · Posted 28 Dec 2010 5:26 pm

Allan Jirik · From: Wichita Falls TX

Like many players, I first learned by slowing down records. Now, the second time around I'm still mostly learning by ear (and YouTube) but I did purchase Herb Steiner's Swingin' on E9th in order to discover how to create fat, jazzy "6th" chords. Tab is a tool, but like anything else if you become dependent on it you'll never be able to think outside the box. Don't be afraid to experiment and use your own creativity- you'll be amazed at what you can come up with. Believe me, if I can do it anyone can! Perseverance is the key.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i find tab easier than written musik
the only hang up in tabs is the lack of time refs
some courses or tabs have both the tabs & the written musik
now that's kool
tabs are an easy tool to get you on the track
nevertheless, it's indispensable, that you take the time to study/break it down/take it apart & understand just what it's all about so you'll know exactly what yer playin'

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

If you want the best of all worlds get Doug Beaumier's "60 Popular Melodies" Which has the notes,timing, chords, tab and so clear and easy to read. All of his material is like that! After learning the songs it is easy to improvise or rearrange to your liking!

Rick Kornacker · From: Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA

A very good question...and subsequent discussion. I believe that learning to read and effectively utilize tab is a "discipline" in a similar sense to being able to read music proper. I know that most of us learn to play steel in almost every other manner than reading from a sheet of music. Tablature for steel is key in learning the basics as well as, later on, studying another favorite player's "style". Assuming that the tab is "correct" the only thing a player must do is to read it and play it correctly. A newer player might not "get it" because his ears aren't sharp enough yet. A seasoned player will "hear it" yet may not think it is quite right...turning out that it is..he just didn't hear it that way before. That is one of the true beauties of being "fluent" with tab. So far as being "locked in" to what's available..", not in today's world! There is more out there than you can digest...not so thirty years ago!Ultimately, the development of a player's ear is the ticket which offers the most freedom and excitement in playing that you can experience...the payoff for all the "disciplines" along the way. Respectfully submitted, RK
_________________
"think MORE...play LESS"

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Tab is just one tool in the toolbox.
_________________
Lawyers are done: Emmons SD-10, 3 Dekleys including a D10, NV400, and lots of effects units to cover my clams...

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

good post Rick Winking

Joe Cook · From: Lake Osoyoos, WA

I've been using tab and videos. I read music for accordion playing but find it rather daunting for the steel guitar. I eventually learned enough of the vocabulary for accordion (the stuff I like) that I could improvise a little. I think the main thing for me is finding the proper way to make the sounds I like and tab is a way to learn the vocabulary. Hopefully it will work out like the accordion did for me. Time and practice.

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

I cut-over to reading standard musical notation and I feel it's paid off pretty big. Even though I've always felt I knew the neck of my guitar pretty well it didn't take a very complicated piece of music to prove otherwise. I still rely on my ear, tab or slowing down tunes to learn most steel parts since it's still pretty rare to find steel passages in standard notation. Another benefit came from being able use theory books and tutorials written for standard guitar to expand my playing ability.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: