The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #14542   Message #126240
Posted By: Rick Fielding
21-Oct-99 - 12:40 AM
Thread Name: Tablature vs. Defining Your Own Style
Subject: RE: Tablature vs. Defining Your Own Style
Michael, you mischievious son of a gun! (he just walked out the door after his lesson) Don't go telling people I'm totally anti-tab. T'ain't true. I'm completely in favour of EVERY method a person uses to learn and have fun in the process. There are draw backs and plus points no matter what direction you take. I learned banjo by tab from Pete Seeger's book many years ago cause there was nobody in Montreal who could teach that style, but without all those records it would have taken a heck of a lot longer.
Roger, if I implied by what I said a certain rigidity than I really should clarify that. In working with other folks for over twenty years I know that absolutely everyone has different goals, different initial skill levels, and perhaps most importantly different amounts of time to spend learning an instrument. I've kept a teaching diary for years and sometimes when I look back at older stuff, it's a real eye opener. I've used some extremely odd methods at times to help someone over that initial hump.
However...as far as rigidity in one area..Mea Culpa. I have to admit that if someone wants to learn faster (and much easier) an instrument that TRULY suits them is IMO absolutely crucial. I don't mean more expensive, just the right size, neck width, decent tone, and especially good action. When I started, that would have meant pretty big bucks, but today a hundred and fifty bucks can buy an extremely good instrument to learn on. No question about it, if someone really seems to want to learn (as opposed to being dragged here kicking and screaming by mom) I'll do most anything to get them to invest in a decent instrument.
Once again , as far as tab, I use it with virtually every beginner for right hand patterns, BUT I encourage them to listen constantly to the recordings of the folks who pioneered the styles. I know it's a good way to lose them and scratch them, but I've loaned out hundreds and hundreds of extremely valuable (to me) records, 'cause the kick I get when I've made a convert to trad music can't be beat.

Rick