For a number of years I've been an advocate in this Forum of TAB for beginners, IF THEY FIND IT USEFUL. This applies to guitar, mando, whistle, harmonica, lap dulcimer in particular, because there are free programs available to produce the TAB using ABC Notation.

In general they won't produce blistering guitar solos in second or third position, but will give early players the ability to pick out (say) every song in the Digital Tradition in the key in which it's published. MOST will display the TAB below the standard dots and will clearly associate each note with the lyrics in order to engender a better feel for the rhythm.

I've written a number of tutorials on this subject in the past and with some newer software (particularly for stringed instruments in just about any string tuning) it's probably worth reviewing.

I might add that I don't use TAB myself because (1) I'm too lazy and (2) I'm cursed with a good ear. I won't contribute to the debate above except to say that TAB is just one way of expanding people's ability to play and enjoy our treasury of folk songs and tunes.

Please PM me for specific details, but will advise in advance that I'll be unavailable-ish until about 20 November.

Regards, John