[Blind89]

Is Standard Notation a good thing to learn? Thanks In advance and God bless.

[Fretsource]

Yes - but there's a lot can be done without it too.

[allthumbs]

It should be on your to learn list but, where is a matter of personal interest. The more you know, the better.

[BigBaby]

Good question - I haven't heard a compelling reason yet. I know standard notation from other instruments but I learned guitar (such as it is) with tab - and i like it. You can even use tab to describe note duration and with the chord symbols that seems like all you need.

[cshude]

I'm like BigBaby- I know standard notation from playing piano, but haven't yet made it to being able to play guitar from it and I've been playing guitar for 15 years.

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi Blind89.

I've been twanging away since 1961 and I still can't deal with standard notation. I've had a few stabs over the decades to come to grips with it, but I never did. I wish I could, because it makes it very easy to jot down ideas and of course play other people's music. But, you don't need to read notation to be able to play, or to understand theory. I've been a session player since the mid 70s without being able to read notation ... chord charts were as specific as it ever got in the studio. From time to time a notated line would be indicated and I'd take a minute to figure it out ... or better still, ask the piano player (who could sight read) to play it for me. I was always amazed at how simple the lines were, too!

Bottom line: if your brain can accommodate it, learn it.

[bmurnahan]

It's not necessary to learn notation. Depends on your goals.

I have been able to get lot's of work because of my ability to read and I have been in several situations professionally where I have had to read single notes as well as chords.

If you want to play professionally it certainly can't hurt.

Best Wishes,

Bob

[Blind89]

Alright well I'll give It a go. Thank you everyone and God bless.

[bluesguy]

I think it depends on who you are going to play with. For instance if you are going to play at traditional (i.e. mainline) church worship services then almost everything is in standard notation. Trust me it is a pain to find older hymns that have chord charts or tab (which has caused me to on a few occassions).

If you are going to play with bar bands, friends, etc then you can probably get by with out learning standard notation.

[Blind89]

I will most likely do both so yea....