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Tabs=Bad. & No, This 'Isn't' in the Wrong Category

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Fendbassfan

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Apr 18, 2011
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#1
First. I didn't post this in tabs because I wouldn't get an objective opinion there. I don't use tabs but out of curiousity I look at Tabs for certain songs. Yesterday I checked the tabs for Bass part on the Go Go's, 'Head Over Heels' and of course it was mostly wrong. Sure, they get the starting notes write (in the wrong key sometimes) but every search I made on the internet for these tabs was mostly wrong. They always leave out some notes. Also, every guitarist I've worked with that uses Tabs plays the songs wrong. I read music but when I sit down to figure out a song's Bass part (notes & rythym I don't use notation and just write it like this, E is first E, E2 is 1st Octave, E3 is second Octave, and so on and then I write the timing above like 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 or 1 e an a 2 e an a......and so on and I write in things like ties, and stacatto signs above and make notes 'stop' or slide down, etc.
I just think if people start out playing Bass with the Tab method they might as well learn to really read music instead.
 
#2
Well I don't think that's really fair, now....I've been playing for a little over two years now and tabs work just as well as notation. I'm learning to read sheet music, mind you--big bands dont like guys who base their entire talent on tablature--and while it takes getting used to, tablature is still written right....for me, at least. :bassist:
 
#4
Learning to read music is valuable for a number of reasons. It opens additional doors and improves timing, understanding of theory etc.

That said, not every song is going to be transcribed and easily available. A few times in the past where I've had to learn a large number of cover songs in a short period I've used tabs as I didn't have the time to learn each by ear and tracking down musical notation for each was out of the question. Personally, I find that looking up the guitar chords is usually the biggest help.

And beyond that, just because a song IS transcribed doesn't mean it's accurate either. I've owned two books (for Led Zeppelin and Red Hot Chili Peppers) that had obvious mistakes in their transcriptions. Granted, transcribed versions tend to be far less error filled than online tabs, but just because something is written out in musical notation doesn't make it correct.

Personally I think learning songs by ear is better than learning them via tabs OR musical notation but all three can be very useful tools under given circumstances.
 
#5
Just my opinion and experience, but even published sheet music in standard notation can be "wrong" relative to the original recording, for a variety of reasons.

Tabs are the person's interpretation of the song. I see snarky comments on UG tabs about "tab sucks, dude"; "wrong key moron" and other pleasantries. To those comments I think "for the key, transpose or capo" (if guitar); if you have a better tab, put it up.

Reading music is a great thing whether it's to play guitar or bass, for the reasons the poster above me said.
 
#6
I've been taking bass classes, learning to read music after years of using just tabs. And I can tell you with no uncertainty that I have already accomplished something using standard notation that I would never have been able to do using tabs.

I played a song I never heard and would not have known how to play without the sheet music. And I don't mean hacking out something solo. I mean playing the bassline correctly while my instructor played the lead keyboard over a drumbeat.
 
#7
Tabs are just one of several tools I use to learn a song....Sure...all tabs will probably have mistakes, but it will get you on the right track for the song. From there, figure out what the errors are, and just incorporate the fixes into your song.
 
#9
Why even look for tabs on "Head Over Heals"? It would take longer to read the tab then to just play the song and start dissecting the parts while playing along.
 
#10
cbrophy said:
Tabs are just one of several tools I use to learn a song....Sure...all tabs will probably have mistakes, but it will get you on the right track for the song. From there, figure out what the errors are, and just incorporate the fixes into your song.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. I also find that youtube videos, when the player is doing the bass line correctly. are very helpful.
 
#11
It helps to get over the notion that you should play the song exactly like the recorded version.

Remember, that recording is one take of other versions that were not recorded and almost certainly have a line that is different in places. As well, you'll rarely hear a live band playing exactly as the song is on the recording (unless it's a tribute band - ugh)

Learn just even some basic theory and how to play as a musician, not an imitator...
 
#13
I use tabs if its suttin I just cant seem to figger out.

The problem is..the are usually wrong (as suggested;))

also, It seems like most of the tabs on the "main" sites are just copies of of other wrong tabs.
er no?
.
 
#15
I used to feel the same way about tabs - coming from a classical music background, I really thought that tab was cheating, a crutch for people who were too lazy to learn to read REAL music notation. Then I started learning bass, and had my mind changed for me rather quickly.Tab certainly has its weaknesses, like the lack of a very accurate way to notate rhythms. However - on an unfamiliar instrument, tuned in intervals I wasn't accustomed to, it was really nice to be shown which frets to play at.

I like using a mix of tab and proper notation. I think it's also very important to know how to figure things out by ear. When I'm trying to write out something from a recording, I write in notation just because it's the system I know best and am most comfortable with. When I'm learning something new from a book or, say, Bass Player magazine though, I really like that there's also the tablature underneath, so I know where on the fretboard to play.
 
#17
BobaFret said:
Why even look for tabs on "Head Over Heals"? It would take longer :help:o read the tab then to just play the
song and start dissecting the parts while playing along.
Click to expand...

LOL! It took me about one minute to figure it out before I even saw the Tab. How do you think l immediately knew they were wrong?I didn't 'look' for them but sometimes I like to print the the lyric sheet to make notes on background vocals and the tabs for head over heels were on the same page so I looked at them and they had it basically right, but left out at least 1 note for each chord change (sometimes more) of that little pattern that is practically the whole song AND the Bass Solo. What's funny is the chick singer in my band said that solo is the best bass solo she's ever heard. he he he. Oh well. She's young.
 
#18
Same... any time i've looked at any tabs they've almost always been blatantly wrong and not worth the bother. Simply having the chords would be of as much help as most of them IMHO.

My impression is that most of the people producing "Tabs" are just trying to get visibility and look important for their contribution, much like the vast majority of youtube videos out there.

My favorites are always the comments to the fantastic improv videos out there where a great player performs some solo and the first comment always is "OMFG DUDE CAN I HAVE A TAB FOR THAT!!1!1!111!!???!?!!" Like the performer is going to spend the time to go through and Tab it out so that some kid can spend 20 minutes getting bored with it, then do a half-arsed video of it, then repost the Tab as his own.

IMHO.


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