I've never learned to read tab fluently. If I sit down with it, I can work it out, but I find it really cumbersome and annoying.

Do other guitarists use it? Do you find it useful? Do you think it's something I should trouble myself to learn?

it's mainly used by guitarists who do not read conventional notation- seen in numerous guitar magazines where it usually supplements a stave of notation. the magazines are the only place i've seen it used with classical bits.

i read conventional notation but i've found tab useful when it shows something different from what i'd've done; isn't obvious from the music, and it turns out easier. it might save a rock or jazz beginner time when learning licks and solos of other guitarists.

Tablature actually preceded standard notation in writing music for the guitar, or at least the predecessor of the guitar. It does, sometimes, come in useful as SirPrancealot says, but a good working knowledge of the fretboard is the key to working things out. Sometimes you look at the tab, and see a better position than the one written to play the same phrase or section. You've got to use whatever you have to decipher what you're trying to play.

Silly question perhaps, but does a 'good knowledge of fretboard' come from practising scales? Or are there other good ways to get there? Any tips? I am just starting out on electro-acoustic guitar.

And would anyone recommend those hand/finger exercisers (spring-loaded things in music shops) to help with strengthening the left hand? Or just keep practising? So painful!

Richard
Hong Kong

Hi Richard

I play a straight acoustic. From my perspective those gadgets are a bit gimmicky. You strenghten your hand by playing, I think. I do a chromatic scale based exercise, just mindlessly while watching tv, to build left and right hand strength. From the bottom e string, play F-F#-G-G# (using fingers 1-2-3-4) then move to A string and repeat exercise, till you get to top E, play the G# with your little finger, then slide up a fret to play the A with that finger, and move down to the bottom E string again. Just keep sliding up a fret each time you reach the top or the bottom. You should do the exercise once with an im right hand pattern, once with ma, and once with a and little finger. Takes about 10 minutes, and done daily, I found it significantly strengthened both hands, and increased dexterity.

Regarding the fretboard: I don't know about this. I've never really done much by way of scales (being self-taught). I just kind of feel my way around the board. I know where my hand needs to go to make a note. I guess that's just repetition playing. But I would imagine scales, played thoughtfully not mechanically, would help with that.


Jane

Hi Jane,

Thanks for feedback. The only reason I can think the hand spring-thing is good, is for rank beginners (like me) who worry about slicing their digits on the steel strings! But your technique works fine so I will be more patient and do same. My Yamaha electro-acoustic has a standard type acoustic body neck and strings, so need to learn 'proper' fingering. Will pick up the boy's Fender later if I progress well enough. Should be easy by then.

But can you clarify your comments above? The books/refs I have do not mention anything about im hand position, etc. Or am I missing some simple abbreviation?

Best regards,
Richard

Hi Richard

That is probably one of those differences with the electro acoustic (sorry, I've never played it so am not sure!). But basically, in classical guitar, an im pattern would involve alternating index and middle finger - the exercise is a bit like walking up your strings with your right hand. It is perhaps entirely irrelevant to electro acoustic work?

Jane

I use. I find it okay to read to be honest. I think it's good becuase if it's in music then it would take a while to work out on all the strings. At first anyway.

Thanks Jane, understood.

Learn something everyday! Will persevere with the exercises but oh so sore today again.

Richard
Hong Kong

>And would anyone recommend those hand/finger exercisers (spring-loaded things in music shops) to help with strengthening the left hand? Or just keep practising? So painful!<<

Quoting myself here, but just to note that I bought one of those Gripmaster hand'finger exercisers and have to say it really is quite valuable. Never realised how difficult it was to move my fingers separately!!

Takes the load of my finger tips now and will surely help me progress. Trying to strengthen LH fingers through playing the guitar (being a newbie remember) is taking too much time and pain.

For what it's worth.

Richard
Hong Kong