Re: Tab vs ear
I prefer to memorize on the mandolin, complex parts with lots of notes lend themselves better to memorization IMHO. Now those old trumpet parts in an orchestra, where you count 37 measures of rest and hit a few loud notes, and back to resting, I would never consider memorizing anything like that.
But since I am a reader, and can learn by ear or music, I find using music is more efficient for me because I don't have to press rewind and play over and over again, and if I forget one measure I can instantly remind myself by glancing at that measure.
Trained musicians can read music directly in their heads, meaning I can hear the music I see on the page, so I can sight read and whistle or sing a part, I don't need an instrument to translate a part into the right pitches.
It's just years of practice, nothing magical about it, I am not that great of a musician, just an old one who's done a lot of things over the years...
But given all that, TAB to me is the least useful representation because I cannot hear a TAB part in my head by looking at it, I imagine that is a skill that could be developed, but I don't have it.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
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