Over the years I have noticed many guitar teachers are taking a “Tab Only” approach to teaching - meaning they rely solely on tab and do not show their students how to read standard notation at all. Those who use this approach generally use tablature without rhythms and can cause their students not develop, be weak in or totally lack certain skills which can impede their growth. Some of these skills may include, but are not limited to:
- Fretboard Knowledge: students who rely on the tab numbering system may not learn “how to navigate” the guitar neck by note names and pitches. Therefore, they may never really understand how music actually works or how it translates on the guitar.
- Reading rhythms: students may not understand how to read or notate rhythms. A teacher can hinder a student’s development by only having students play what they can hear. Playing by ear is an amazing skill to have, but it is one of an array students should possess. Additionally, some students are visual learners and their learning experience can be enhanced by visual representation.
- Playing by Ear: A fundamental skill fledgling musician’s need is the ability to “hear” music. Those studying the guitar and strictly rely on tab may not develop the basic listening skills needed to discern pitches because their eyes dictate where to put their fingers and not their ear. Whereas, they are forsaking the basic skill musicians need – a trained ear.
I have found that many guitar teachers who take a tab only approach generally cannot read music themselves and because it is not a skill they care to address in their own playing pass this deficiency onto their students. As a teacher, I believe it is important to help our students develop to their full potential and if that requires learning a new skill (even on a rudimentary level) then it can be a benefit not only to the student by ourselves as well.
Next month I will continue the discussion and talk about my personal approach to teaching tab and notation.
