banjodawg - Posted - 01/09/2012:  11:34:48

I try not to use tab.  However,  like many of those who are still working, most of my practice sessions come at the end of long days, so there are times when my tired old mind needs the temporary crutch of writing out a difficult section of a tune to organize it in my head.  (Forgive me, Murphy!)  

Dexter - Posted - 01/09/2012:  12:07:18

This has been an interesting thread....sometimes heated.....but definitely showing that people have passion for their beliefs relative to this issue. My take-away is that generally individuals will gravitate toward a method of learning that they are most comfortable with and that if there is truly a "best method" people will also learn this over time and shift to it. As for "frauds" and "bad teachers".....unfortunately you will find them, from time to time....but I don't think it generally has anything to do with the method of teaching. It has more to do with the person doing the teaching. In the end, if there are multiple ways to learn.....thus encouraging more people to experience music, then it's a win.

gsdauria - Posted - 01/09/2012:  21:08:52

Yep I'm with you fellas

mike gregory - Posted - 01/11/2012:  06:53:05

To tab, or not to tab..

That is the question!

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 01/11/2012:  12:34:03

To B or to Bb - now That's the question.

steve davis - Posted - 01/11/2012:  13:01:34

Remember Tab Hunter?

Gymbal31 - Posted - 01/13/2012:  08:47:43

One thing to remember about tab is to consider the source.  Some people who write tab aren't as skilled at it as they think and might be creating tab that isn't easy to play or understand.  Or worse, doesn't sound like the tune anywhere except in their own head.

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/13/2012:  09:13:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gymbal31

One thing to remember about tab is to consider the source.  Some people who write tab aren't as skilled at it as they think and might be creating tab that isn't easy to play or understand.  Or worse, doesn't sound like the tune anywhere except in their own head.

---

Excellent point.

Of course, I think most professionally published tab -- anything by Tony Trischka, Janet Davis, Bill Keith (who did the tab for the Scruggs book) is going to be top-notch and playable.  But I have definitely seen some tab that just doesn't cut it.  I've seen some some tabs that not only don't have any kind of timing indicators -- like stems or "x" for rest or no note -- but some that don't even have measures!  With measures, you don't necessarily need stems as long as you at least use Xs to indicate where you don't play.  But to just put a string of numbers on the page is almost useless.

One tab in particular that is incorrect for a different set of reasons is this version of Ragtime Annie:  banjohangout.org/tab/browse.as...ddcomment

Give it a listen.  It is really messed up. Every measure starts with a rest instead of a note.  And I think notes are missing.  It doesn't sound at all like the accompanying video lesson:  peternoorman.nl/banjo/

One of these years if I have time, I'll correct it and send it to Peter for review and comment.

Richard Dress - Posted - 01/13/2012:  09:41:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gymbal31

One thing to remember about tab is to consider the source.  Some people who write tab aren't as skilled at it as they think and might be creating tab that isn't easy to play or understand.  Or worse, doesn't sound like the tune anywhere except in their own head.

---

Most issues of Banjo Newsletter have an errata page where they correct the tab mistakes from the previous issue.  Expect errors in tab, because even the best can make mistakes and if they don't the publishers will.

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/13/2012:  10:10:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Richard Dress

---

Most issues of Banjo Newsletter have an errata page where they correct the tab mistakes from the previous issue.  Expect errors in tab, because even the best can make mistakes and if they don't the publishers will.

---

Oh yeah. My personal story in that regard is that I sent a booklet of my tab transcriptions to Hub Nitchie in the 70s and he published my version of Alan Munde's "Deputy Dalton" in BNL some time in the late 70s or early 80s.  I can't remember now whether he sent me a note to this effect or actually commented on it in BNL, but he thought my 4-3 fingering on second and first strings in one particular instance was unusual.  That drew an "oops" from me.  That was a writing error on my part.  It was supposed to be 3-4 (partial D chord, or E since the tune is capoed at 2).  I simply wrote it down the opposite of how I play it.

I wonder how many people play it wrong because of me!   I hope most people had good enough ears to hear that the tab was wrong and figured out they should simply reverse their fingers.

Edited by - Old Hickory on 01/13/2012 10:12:47