Î much prefer notes. The trouble with Tab is that it only shows you where to play the notes. It doesn't tell you precisely what the music is. I use those Stephan Grossman books too. Occasionally I cheat and look over at the Tab to see a position if I am either thinking slowly (that happens) or if I am feeling too lazy to work it out. However, I always read the notes until my fingers start playing the piece by themselves. When it comes to blues and ragtime however, neither notes nor Tab are much use on their own without the recordings. I have not yet seen an example of either which captures the syncopation of Big Bill Broonzy or Blind Blake. One thing which sometimes works for me is to learn a piece from the notes before I hear a recording. Then by the time I hear the original, my version already has a little of me in it before I try to do it properly. Interesting thread.