Standard notation has a number of advantages over tablature. SN applies to all instruments, including voice, not just the specific instrument for which it is written. And with SN, you can immediately visualize the melody line and the harmonies, whereas with TAB, it is not obvious at all. I find that with TAB, I have to mentally translate, which injects an intermediate step in understanding what is going on with the music. It tells me where my fingers go on the fingerboard, but I have no idea of what the thing sounds like until I actually play it.

However—I see no problem in learning both systems. I did. But I find regular notation much more useful. Incidentally, I learned fingerpicking (alternating thumb) from standard notation. A friend who knew how to do it grabbed a sheet of blank music manuscript paper and wrote out about a dozen measures showing several different patterns. Then she handed it to me and said, "Just practice each one a measure at a time, then when you've got them, mix and match as needed." It didn't take more that a glance and I immediately knew what was going on. Big AHA! From that point on, it was just a matter of practice—not unlike classic guitar arpeggio studies.

By the way, in notation for classic guitar, right-hand fingering is indicated by a lower-case letter by the note the note in question:   p = thumb (pulgar), i = index, m = middle, a = ring finger (annular).

But the "snob appeal" comment about standard notaton? I'm sorry, but that's just silly!

Don Firth