Fret board understanding

[John Bertotti]

Just musing here a bit. I can now read notes, not way above the top line but getting there. I decided it was time a while ago to start playing chords by reading them in standard notation.
First I found some easy tunes in standard notation unfortunately tab was also printed below. When trying to learn notation tab is a terrible thing. I keep catching myself looking down instead of reading the notated chord. I am covering all tab up.
Reading more then one note at a time is darn hard.
The good news for anyone wanting to learn standard notation is this.
Learning chords in standard notation instead of tab forces you to learn the fret board real well. What I mean is the position of one note to another takes on a whole new dimension when you have to read several notes at the same time and place your fingers where your eyes tell you they go.
I apologize for the ramble but it seems to me anyone wanting to increase there knowledge of note locations in relations to other notes would be well served to read music. It is a bit of work and yes some great players don't know how to read but the majority of us just aren't naturals at this. Those of you talking of learning just jump in. I started with Bickford. This newb will get off his soap box now and let the experienced people respond if they so desire.
My .02c thanks all John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Br0ce]

Another thing about reading music that someone has mentioned and I agree with is that you can more easily see the notes grouped as phrases rather than just a series of individual notes. After awhile you can look at a phrase and know what it will sound like.

[JimD]

AND...You can communicate your ideas to other musicians. Tab is a Mando-only notation. Of course there are banjo and guitar tabs (not to mention several different types of lute tab) but unless you know the tuning, they will all be useless to you.

We need to cease being just mandolinists and become musicians who play mandolin.

[merv]

I started playing the mandolin after my lungs would no longer permitt me to play the cornet . I have problems with tabs and prefer notation for the reasons stated above . It also helps to know which direction to go for the next note . In notation I see two to three notes at a time when single picking , which at my level is all that i am able to
do { can't figure out how to play chords } .

[Steven]

Yes very true.I actually find tabulature a huge anoyance but am forced to read it because most of the music nowadays is written in it.I guess it is helpful once in a while if written below standard notation if you ever kind of have a brain cramp looking a the notation,it can help get you on track.I have a very difficult time with Roland Whites book on Bluegrass,the tab is different than the other books I have,its difficult for me to read. # # # #