Ok, Light 'em Up,flame On!


Ok.... This is not a thread to support on the misuse of a potentially good tool, I refuse to have started such a thing.


This is a thread on how a tool/communication devise has negative associations ( however warranted) the point that people don't realize it's potential or give it the props it deserves.



First I'll start by informing you that I can READ standard notation. I practice it and I can sight read pretty darn well. I'm a "educated" musician what ever that's worth:ninja:




Well I've concluded that TAB is a tool and when used properly is a effective form of communicating. What does it convey? Fingerings!Positional shifts!





I've been shedding Bryan Beller's transcription of Boogie On Reggae Woman from bass player.Bryan had taken great care in writing the tab to teach fingering and articulations to stress the phrasing. I've been referring to the tab for guidance.It effectively conveys. Now Brian has obviously taken care in the "correctness" of the tab and obviously has allot to do with its value.



Aj

Well I've concluded that TAB is a tool and when used properly is a effective form of communicating. What does it convey? Fingerings!Positional shifts!
True. Although that can also be seen as one of it's weaknesses. When I learn a tough piece I'll often pencil in some fingerings while I'm working it out (which usually get erased after a bit). Those are my fingerings though, I will frequently play with different fingerings than other bass players might use. The nice thing with using standard notation is you can play it with whatever fingering you want. I would rather do that and be stumped on the occasional fingering pattern (which of course happens less and less the more you read/play standard notation), than have to translate 12 10 9 3 5 6 into notes so I can figure out where I want to play it.

yeah, it's good for fret position and fingering, and if all tabs out there were written by someone of the ability of Bryan Beller, the world'd be a better place for bass players

unfortunately, most tabs out there were transcribed by a chimp

I can accept tabs like you get in guitar & bass magazines, where you have notation AND tab underneath, because you get the best of both worlds, but tab on its own, you usually get no dynamics, no key, no indication of meter, very ambiguous rhythm...

but you're right,tab does indeed beat notation for fingering and fret position... provided Bryan Beller transcribes it and not the teenage punk rock chimp army

So with all your experience you can't come up with multiple fingering on your own and work out the best way for you to navigate the tune. The trouble with TABs or even fingering charts is people learn one and stop, they don't try to figure out other ways to finger something. That is the one thing that standard notation does is make you think, "there has to be a better way to finger this". It's the process of looking for another solution we end up discovering multiple things.

Yes, True it does "take" a portion of the education out of the experience. I will concede as well, that in this art misrepresenting something that your mimicking often leads to innovation. Meaning if you figure how to play a lick but you've figured out the "hard" way that may mutate into something new.



AJ

Ok, just to play devils advocate, wouldn't reading written music be a form "loss of education". I mean Transcribe it your self you'll get more out of it..........wait, I mean, "no paper" memorize it yourself you'll get more out of it.......


Aj

For some reason I expected this thread to be about the old Monster Magnet EP. I was about to jump in saying "Well it may not have the quality of Spine of God or their newer material but Queens of the Stone Age clearly took influence from it"

Tab is handy in lots of situations. Need to quickly explain a chord type to someone? I wouldn't be drawing notation!

So with all your experience you can't come up with multiple fingering on your own and work out the best way for you to navigate the tune.


Play nice. If you want respect Give it.



Aj

There's nothing in a tab that says you can't try alternative fingerings for a tune. No one's holding a gun to your head preventing you from deviating from a tab if you want to play the same note on a different string. A rough tab is only a guide, and not a mandate. Even a verified 100% accurate tab just shows exactly which strings and frets the original bassist used when playing the tune on his or her particular instrument, and can help the learner figure out notes that might be hard to discern in the original recording because of the way it was produced. I think almost anyone will mess around with different ways of playing those notes once they learn what the notes are. Listening to that original recording of the tune you are trying to learn the bass line for, and becoming familiar with it in your head, provides most of what a raw tab doesn't provide (dynamics, tempo, etc.). There are fewer extraneous concepts between a bass line and a tab than there are between a bass line and standard musical notation. Sure, standard musical notation will provide a lot more information and detail, and if you can learn it, then great. But tabs are great for people who are ear players and who can't process musical notation.

TBH I don't see the big difference between tab/notation.
Both are "cheat sheets" to help you play a song.

The advantage of notation is that when you're good enough at it, you don't need to listen to the song before playing it perfectly (some what at least).

The advantage of tabs is that it's a lot easier to understand if you're new. Strings and frets, absolutely no tricks.

unfortunately, most tabs out there were transcribed by a chimp

Heh. Sadly, I agree.

The tab I like best is the tab that I've created. And it needs the score above it. There is too much information that tab doesn't tell you.

Sometimes, I'll take a tab and completely redo it just to try to make it better in some way. Sometimes you can make it easier to play (fingers don't have to stretch so far). Sometimes it helps mute the unwanted tones (avoiding open strings).

This is why I prefer looking for MIDI files instead of tab. You can drop it into Guitar Pro or Logic and manipulate the tab all you want and see the score, too.

There's nothing in a tab that says you can't try alternative fingerings for a tune. No one's holding a gun to your head preventing you from deviating from a tab if you want to play the same note on a different string. A rough tab is only a guide, and not a mandate. Even a verified 100% accurate tab just shows exactly which strings and frets the original bassist used when playing the tune on his or her particular instrument, and can help the learner figure out notes that might be hard to discern in the original recording because of the way it was produced. I think almost anyone will mess around with different ways of playing those notes once they learn what the notes are. Listening to that original recording of the tune you are trying to learn the bass line for, and becoming familiar with it in your head, provides most of what a raw tab doesn't provide (dynamics, tempo, etc.). There are fewer extraneous concepts between a bass line and a tab than there are between a bass line and standard musical notation. Sure, standard musical notation will provide a lot more information and detail, and if you can learn it, then great. But tabs are great for people who are ear players and who can't process musical notation.

+1 could not have said it better myself. Tabs are a starting point and a helpful tool to learn a bassline you're familiar with by ear.

I can accept tabs like you get in guitar & bass magazines, where you have notation AND tab underneath, because you get the best of both worlds, but tab on its own, you usually get no dynamics, no key, no indication of meter, very ambiguous rhythm...

I can see where TABs along with standard notation can be very helpful. It can provide a practical guide to the notation for those who can't read standard notation.

TABs alone also have a function for those that are listening to a piece of music and trying to figure out the bassline. I couldn't use TABs by themselves because of the lack of info on the areas mentioned in the quote (meter, rhythm, dynamics, etc.).

I'm seeing more sheet music available that include both standard notation and TABs. I think it's a good idea.

Ok, just to play devils advocate, wouldn't reading written music be a form "loss of education". I mean Transcribe it your self you'll get more out of it..........wait, I mean, "no paper" memorize it yourself you'll get more out of it.......


Aj

I would say no, because the idea of reading is to get the music off the paper as soon as possible so you can focus on make it music and embellish it. Reading is more about instant recognition of notes and rhythms so you can think about playing. Like reading a book you see words not indivisual letters. Transcription is an tool valuable tool for learning music and training the ear. They all have their place.

I dont like tab. that being said, i use it in guitar pro all the time.

Tabs is a good way to learn a song quick and finger positioning, but tabs dont have enough information. I cant sight read ( learning) that well so what I do is spend 5 min, and write the note letter under each note if I have to ( I know the fingerboard well :p ). But Tab helps me figure out a fingering position, then I mess with it to figure out what I like best.

tabs and music notation are not etched in stone, they are just ways to learn the song real quick.

I am a long standing member of Clan TabEvil.

Tabs is a good way to learn a song quick and finger positioning, but tabs dont have enough information. I cant sight read ( learning) that well so what I do is spend 5 min, and write the note letter under each note if I have to ( I know the fingerboard well :p ). But Tab helps me figure out a fingering position, then I mess with it to figure out what I like best.


AGREE!

Gee i disagree. I cant read a lick of music and could care less. Im in a cover band and love it. I have written and recorded original basslines myself...not to tuff. So tab should be perfect for a flunky like me...nope! Why? most of it is wrong on the net,It bass by numbers ala like paint by numbers and i learned nothing but where to put my fingers offen wrong and where not too.

I prefer to know my neck, get the song charted out by chords stops...whatever. A tascam bass trainer and my ears. It has made me a better player and i know my bass and music well due to ignoring tab. I tell any young or new player i meet to do the same dont fall to tab its evel pure evel i say...this coming from a hack like me.:smug:

Ok.... This is not a thread to support on the misuse of a potentially good tool, I refuse to have started such a thing.


This is a thread on how a tool/communication devise has negative associations ( however warranted) the point that people don't realize it's potential or give it the props it deserves.



Aj

I find high quality tabs useful and, for me, quicker to read than standard notation on a known song.

For me though, what I really like is that when I'm figuring out a song or I'm writing something that I don't want to forget and want to get it on paper (text doc... what have you) quick, tabs are an easy way to do so.

...just my 2 cents.

Ok.... This is not a thread to support on the misuse of a potentially good tool, I refuse to have started such a thing.


This is a thread on how a tool/communication devise has negative associations ( however warranted) the point that people don't realize it's potential or give it the props it deserves.



Aj

:eyebrow: Then what is the point? I showed how IMO a tool/communication devise had negitive associations. I have relized IMO as well as others here it is not a good tool and ofter harmfull. A good ear learning to chart out songs by beginners is a way better path to get on than tab. Whats so wrong with that...:rollno:

BTW..I have been on the forum for a while and i have yet to see a TBer start a thread and steer the opinions of others or say they say how they want others opinions.thats part of what this is all about. You threw it out and we answer back. IMO if you dont like others opinions which might not agree with yours i wouldnt post on TB. Its no big deal no one dised you and opinions are what make this board worth looking at.

Gee i disagree. I cant read a lick of music and could care less. Im in a cover band and love it.
The last time I was in a cover band, we had a song book of about 500 songs. The band leader would frequently come to practice and drop multiple charts on our stands and expect everyone to be ready to go. There simply is no way to do that without standard notation. Just try and figure out complicated stops, transitions, unison parts, tempo and meter changes, or for that matter rhythm in general, with tab. Not to mention that a lot of the songs were real snoozers for me and I could care less about memorizing them (especially since we'd only play some songs once every few months), so just being able to play on autopilot through a chart is real nice.

Being able to just drop a chart on the stands and go is a make or break proposition for a lot of band leaders. If you need a week or even a day or two to learn every song (it's to be expected if it's a really insane piece, but some bands will even expect that on the fly), you're not going to get those jobs.

Of course that assumes you care about being in those kinds of bands. Personally I would much rather play originals, but even in a lot of original bands you'll have a band member come in with a chart they wrote and it's certainly helpful if the rest of the band knows how to play it.

The last time I was in a cover band, we had a song book of about 500 songs. The band leader would frequently come to practice and drop multiple charts on our stands and expect everyone to be ready to go. There simply is no way to do that without standard notation. Just try and figure out complicated stops, transitions, unison parts, tempo and meter changes, or for that matter rhythm in general, with tab. Not to mention that a lot of the songs were real snoozers for me and I could care less about memorizing them (especially since we'd only play some songs once every few months), so just being able to play on autopilot through a chart is real nice.

Being able to just drop a chart on the stands and go is a make or break proposition for a lot of band leaders. If you need a week or even a day or two to learn every song (it's to be expected if it's a really insane piece, but some bands will even expect that on the fly), you're not going to get those jobs.

Of course that assumes you care about being in those kinds of bands. Personally I would much rather play originals, but even in a lot of original bands you'll have a band member come in with a chart they wrote and it's certainly helpful if the rest of the band knows how to play it.

My band leader charted out over 50 songs for me for the gig i had last week. With no real band practice and a few live band CDs to boot i did well with less than a month to get ready for the gig with holidays and all in the way.
there is no way tab would of done it and he nor anyone would of had the time to find it write it of care. If you cant simply chart out the chords,fills, keys ,tempos and notes to a piece of music i feel sorry for you. Like i said im a hack and i play country and i do it. :p I hear ya on originals we do only one. I like em too but they dont pay in my parts its covers or go home.

I love tab:smug:

My band leader charted out over 50 songs for me for the gig i had last week. With no real band practice and a few live band CDs to boot i did well with less than a month to get ready for the gig with holidays and all in the way.
there is no way tab would of done it and he nor anyone would of had the time to find it write it of care. If you cant simply chart out the chords,fills, keys ,tempos and notes to a piece of music i feel sorry for you. Like i said im a hack and i play country and i do it. :p I hear ya on originals we do only one. I like em too but they dont pay in my parts its covers or go home.
True. My band had bought quite a few of our charts, and our band leader was somewhat fanatical about transcribing new tunes he wanted to play. This can be problematic as well, he didn't have a real good ear for bass lines and often transcribed them incorrectly or in a much simpler form than it actually was. Since a lot of the songs we played were not anything I listened to, I didn't know I was playing the wrong bass lines for quite a while. Eventually once I noticed I went through and corrected a lot of my parts, but then I started noticing other transcription errors in horn lines etc... The musical purist in me (which shares equally with the musical anarchist in me) cringed every time we played these tunes. I'm all for rearranging tunes, but errors because you have no attention to detail are pretty irritating.

Having a good ear is just as important as being able to read.

True. My band had bought quite a few of our charts, and our band leader was somewhat fanatical about transcribing new tunes he wanted to play. This can be problematic as well, he didn't have a real good ear for bass lines and often transcribed them incorrectly or in a much simpler form than it actually was. Since a lot of the songs we played were not anything I listened to, I didn't know I was playing the wrong bass lines for quite a while. Eventually once I noticed I went through and corrected a lot of my parts, but then I started noticing other transcription errors in horn lines etc... The musical purist in me (which shares equally with the musical anarchist in me) cringed every time we played these tunes. I'm all for rearranging tunes, but errors because you have no attention to detail are pretty irritating.

Having a good ear is just as important as being able to read.

The ear to me is #1. It still is hard to belive how someone can not chart a song right and expect you to play it their way. You then find out the mistakes and say.... whoa! Makes you change your view of the person and their musical abilities. I know i did this a few years back. I trusted a bandleaders charts and offen they were simple and wrong. Tab didnt help only confused so i set out with help from a TBer to learn to train my ear armed with CDs and a tascam bass trainer. A few years latter my ear is pretty good. No tab would of done this . I can play songs on the fly now and learn songs quickly with no second guessing like i did early on with tab. I also learned my neck how chords work with scales and modes and transcribing into diffrent keys. I dare anyone to tell me tab will teach me what my ears did...wont happen never. Learn to use your ears and the rest will fall into place.

Personally I think tab has its uses. In showing how technical excercises work as far as "left hand" finger positions go for certain drills or to illustrate specifically how a certain approach is taken they are fine, in my opinion.

On the other hand reading score and interpreting the way it should be played shouldn't be substituted for tab just because you are lazy.

Personally I think tab has its uses. In showing how technical excercises work as far as "left hand" finger positions go for certain drills or to illustrate specifically how a certain approach is taken they are fine, in my opinion.

On the other hand reading score and interpreting the way it should be played shouldn't be substituted for tab just because you are lazy.

To that i can agree.To explain a lession or example but to tab out the new hot hit by Fall out boy...nope.

I always try to write tabs down in a GP-way, that is, with note duration indication. I can't really read standard notation (which is bad), but when it comes to tabs I guess I've developed quite a good grasp on it. I don't regard tabs as direction what fret to play, but just an alternative form to write down music. For me
---
---
---
-3-
says 'G', and not 'play 3rd fret on the 4th string'. It's also very easy to identify a key and the scale that the piece utilizes.

+1

Of course tab is useful. It makes playing accessible to people who don't know how to read score!!!

Funny how most of the people who know how to read score are the ones knocking tab - and most of the people who can't read score are the one's that are pro tab. Not too often do you see anyone who doesn't know how to read score knocking tab, huh?

It's just snobbery - which is prevalent here. It allows them to feel superior to people who can't read score. They're quick to jump all over anyone who can't do it because it strokes their egos.
When some people say score > tab, they are being snobby. Others are trying to save you from making a mistake. For years I resisted learning to read standard notation or learning theory (I rarely used tab, I used my ears). I wish someone had been able to get through to me about the value of reading music back then, it would have saved me a giant amount of time learning it later on (and I'd probably be better at sight reading). Part of the problem is because almost everyone looks at it as an either/or situation: Should you learn tab? Or should you learn notation? Learn tab first, then learn to read notation.

As anyone who knows how to read standard notation will tell you, it's better than tab. Why? When I want to pound in a nail, I usually reach for a hammer. You can use a rock if you don't have a hammer, but if you have the choice between a rock and a hammer, you pick the hammer. They're both tools that will do the job, but one of them does it better.

Part of life is learning that there are people out there with more experience and knowledge than you've got. Just because someone tells you to do something, or not to do something else, doesn't mean they're an uppity snob-o-saur that just wants to stick their nose up in the air and boss you around. Once in awhile they're just trying to help you out. Remember when you were a kid and your parents told you not to touch the hot stove? Maybe you touched it anyway and burned your hand, instantly realizing that perhaps your parents might know what they're talking about (sometimes)!

The difference between touching the stove and not learning to read music is that you don't realize right away that you're a dumbass for not learning to read. I know.

I use tab almost exclusively, because my knowledge of sheet music is centered around drum-notation (that is measurements of beats and patterns instead of note names in either Bass or Treble), so when I write things down, I write them in tab. If it's for myself, I can just use a sticky note (in the case of a cool lick) and write straight tab, while if it's for another musician I can write with the appropriate note duration symbols above it. It's my system, it's worked well for me so far, but it's kind of a strange, bastardized middle ground.

I don't think people should be completely ignorant of sheet music, but I really don't see tab as the Great Musical Satan that many people do.

I'm in a cover band and I can 't imagine how much harder my job would be without online tablature. I find it invaluable to Google a song and be able to play it in minutes.

Mind you, there is no replacement for your ears and that squishy thing in between. I usually have the tab open for about 30 seconds, get an idea for the notes and licks, and then use my ears with the CD for the rest.

I will admit that tabs are horrible for beginning bassist/guitarist who is trying to use tabs as a replacement for real learning. They are frequently inaccurate or flat out wrong. Treating tabs as gospel will cause many headaches, but that is where the squishy thing in between your ears comes in.

Tabs are shorthand, they simply don't have mechanisms to relay all information that is in a real score. I don't think they are good or evil, it is all in the user. Which makes me think to paraphrase a famous gun control argument:

Tabs don't play music, I play music.

Cheers.

<---- newbie; please go easy on me!

Sorry but anyone who claims that they can't learn how to read sheet music is either just messing you around or is lying through their teeth. I learned to play bass using the official Muse tab book, and then when I chose to move onto worship music I was screwed, because ALL worship music I've come across is sheet music.

I learned how to read sheet music in a week, and this was in between studying and other commitments and it made things a LOT easier and made music a lot more accesible to me.

Sheet is always going to be better than tab, no matter what.


BUT

I did learn from tab and for begining musicians or people whon need to learn songs quickly I can inderstand it is useful to have tab.

EVERYONE uses tab at some point or another. It's just too convenient not to use.

not everyone uses tab... I can't think of any time in the last decade or so when i've used tab

mind you, to learn songs, I'm one of these strange people who listens to them... what a snob, eh?

EVERYONE uses tab at some point or another. It's just too convenient not to use.

And that's the problem- tab doesn't teach you anything other than fret positions. At least with sheet music you can tell about the note groupings, tempo.....

And that's the problem- tab doesn't teach you anything other than fret positions. At least with sheet music you can tell about the note groupings, tempo.....

Where are you finding all this free sheet music online?

That is what tab is for.

Where are you finding all this free sheet music online?

That is what tab is for.

I'll use tab IF I have to, but otherwise I don't need to search for much music, as I play worship music which has a lot of sheet music for use in churches anyway.

Tab is useless for most worship music anyway...

Where are you finding all this free sheet music online?

That is what tab is for.

if most tabbers werent so lazy and semi-musically-literate there probably would be more free sheet music online

if most tabbers werent so lazy and semi-musically-literate there probably would be more free sheet music online


How do you figure?

How do you figure?

because they'd transcribe songs into standard notation instead of tab

actually, the real problem isn't tab, the real problem is that most people who write tabs aren't up to the job

because they'd transcribe songs into standard notation instead of tab

actually, the real problem isn't tab, the real problem is that most people who write tabs aren't up to the job

Just one point out of many:

Tab is plain text so it is easier to create, distribute, mirror, etc. i.e. No proprietary software, no through-the-roof hosting costs like images or pdf. Sometimes there are methods behind the madness.

And that's the problem- tab doesn't teach you anything other than fret positions. At least with sheet music you can tell about the note groupings, tempo.....

You mean there's more to playing music than just fret positions?!?! :hiding:

+1

Of course tab is useful. It makes playing accessible to people who don't know how to read score!!!

Funny how most of the people who know how to read score are the ones knocking tab - and most of the people who can't read score are the one's that are pro tab. Not too often do you see anyone who doesn't know how to read score knocking tab, huh?

It's just snobbery - which is prevalent here. It allows them to feel superior to people who can't read score. They're quick to jump all over anyone who can't do it because it strokes their egos.

My advice? Go ahead, stroke their egos, tell them how wonderful score is, and that you only wish that you had that ability and then either:

a. learn it
b. use tab

But don't let anyone make you feel foolish for playing at any cost. And whatever you decide, do it on your terms because you want to, not because someone put you down.

D.

As i already said im anti-tab and i cant read alick of music. in fact im pretty musicly challenged :( If i can hear and chart out simple songs anyone can.
The TB'er who is also in a cover band and relies on tab..why? Ya its quick and all but 75% is wrong. I learned to use my ears and pencil and paper now that skill has allowed me to hear musical changes chords progressions and key transposing no tab would of ever done. If as simple as i play would of never taken some TBer's advice a few years ago i would be hunting down page after page of tab hunkering over them playing songs incorrect spending hours on the PC or buying tab books :spit: I used to have a file folder 4" thick with tab...never again that was years ago and i didnt know how to listen..use your ears if you cant read people its easy and well worth it in the long run.

...Ya its quick and all but 75% is wrong. I learned to ...

Remember kids, 63% of statistics are completely made up. :smug:

It's just snobbery - which is prevalent here. It allows them to feel superior to people who can't read score. They're quick to jump all over anyone who can't do it because it strokes their egos.

My preference for standard notation has nothing to do with stroking my ego. It has to do with being a working musician and getting gigs.

I played somewhere between 125 and 150 paying gigs last year. All but two required me to be able to read standard notation. None of them required me to read tab.

As a bandleader, I have hired many musicians over the years. I have never hired a musician who couldn't read standard notation. I have never had a need to hire a musician for his or her ability to read tab.

Tab is arguably useful as a learning tool, but the ability to read tab is not a required skill in any musical discipline. The ability to read standard notation is a required skill in many musical disciplines.

Remember kids, 63% of statistics are completely made up. :smug:

Ya so i said 75% :rolleyes: but its really more like 95%.

The timbre on just about any bass differs so much across the strings (especially when you start getting into 5 and 6 string basses, the larger and smaller strings really have a different sound) and different position shifts will give a totally different feel to the articulation and flow of the line. I personally pick where to play my notes very carefully with timbre and articulation/flow at the forefront of my mind.. I would never consider any transcription of a bassline I played to be accurate unless the exact frets and strings I played each note on were carefully marked.

Sheet music is by far a more useful tool overall than tablature, but if you want an accurate reproduction of a line the two most important factors besides playing the correct notes are timbre/articulation and rhythm, neither of these can be represented perfectly on sheet music and accurate rhythmic reproduction can ONLY be reached by listening carefully to the original recording, tablature shows you exactly where to play each note and also forces you to listen to the music to pick up the rhythm, so for this reason I personally consider it a useful tool.

Ya so i said 75% :rolleyes: but its really more like 95%.

What a coincidence! Using tab is 95% easier than reading sheet music!!!! LOL Alright, I'm done :D

Reading sheet music is easier than reading tab if you put the time in to learn it, I'm not an expert reader but if I had to sight read a piece live I'd take sheet music over tab any day.

This post (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5138405#post5138405) is an example of the only usefulness I find in tabs.

This post (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5138405#post5138405) is an example of the only usefulness I find in tabs.

I can dig that nice.

My preference for standard notation has nothing to do with stroking my ego. It has to do with being a working musician and getting gigs.

I played somewhere between 125 and 150 paying gigs last year. All but two required me to be able to read standard notation. None of them required me to read tab.

As a bandleader, I have hired many musicians over the years. I have never hired a musician who couldn't read standard notation. I have never had a need to hire a musician for his or her ability to read tab.

Tab is arguably useful as a learning tool, but the ability to read tab is not a required skill in any musical discipline. The ability to read standard notation is a required skill in many musical disciplines.



And from the opposite side...

A few months back, when I felt fairly confident that I was ready to join a band, I was NEVER told at any point that I had to be able to read music. So you can imagine the shock I got when I found out that all the music in both the worship bands I have played in was standard notation.
So I learnt by playing the songs and practicing different types of song as well. Soon I learnt how to read stave music.
Now you have to remember as well that in both bands the band only has about an hour to practice all the songs needed for the meeting/performance. I don't have time to sit there memorizing all the stops, note groupings, rests.......I have to be ready to play straight away.

But I've also found being able to read stave has opened me up musically- I have a lot more choice in what I can play, and can learn a song in a couple of days.

Stave is generally-

-Inaccurate unless it's an official tab book.
-Difficult to read
-Increasingly rare for more modern stuff, and few bands release tab books.

well
i prefer graphic notation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_notation)
haha, modernist composers