Guitar Tablature vs. Standard Notation: Why Guitarists Should Learn to Read Music

Vincenzo Lo Vasco

Aug 23

2 min read

A professional guitarist and teacher explains why tablature is useful, but why standard notation matters too.

Guitarists have been given a method of reading music that makes playing notes incredibly simple and direct. But should tablature be considered a benefit, or can it sometimes become a limitation?

From my perspective as a professional musician and teacher, guitar tablature is an extremely useful tool for guitarists. However, its value depends largely on how it is used. In my opinion, tablature works particularly well when it is accompanied by standard notation above it. This combination allows the guitarist to understand and interpret both systems rather than relying exclusively on tablature.

Why Guitarists Should Learn to Read Music and Why does this matter?

Tablature is a very simple system that even a child can understand within a few minutes. It tells you which string to play and which fret to use. However, being able to read guitar tablature without understanding standard notation does not necessarily help a beginner develop as a complete musician, and it can become limiting as the player progresses.

One of the things I constantly encourage my students to develop is the ability to read standard notation. Standard notation communicates information that tablature simply does not: the pitch of the notes, their rhythmic values, subdivisions, rests and their position within the musical structure.

Tablature tells you where to put your fingers. Standard notation tells you what is happening musically.

For guitarists, developing a more conscious approach to reading music can bring enormous benefits. I believe every guitarist should dedicate some time to it, even if the goal is not to become an expert musician.

Just 15 minutes a day of simple sight-reading can make a significant difference.

Some of the main benefits include:

• Developing a stronger knowledge of the guitar fretboard

• Improving sight-reading skills

• Understanding standard notation and tablature more deeply

• Developing a better understanding of rhythm and note values

• Becoming more independent when learning new music

A method I often recommend to my students is the Modern Method for Guitar by Berklee. It follows a progressive approach and guides you through sight-reading from the very beginning. You start with simple material, including the C major scale, and gradually introduce more key signatures and increasingly challenging musical concepts.

This progressive approach makes the process much less intimidating and gives guitarists the opportunity to build their reading skills step by step. If you are a guitarist and would like to learn how to read music, improve your sight-reading or develop your overall guitar skills, get in touch with The Riff Music Academy. We offer personalised guitar lessons designed around your level, goals and musical interests.