Tab bypasses some problems you have with standard notation when reading dots on guitar. Loads of guitar music is written/played in other than standard tuning (Like dropped D) or with then guitar at other than standard pitch (we’re looking at you Marr). Many bands tune down to E flat and lord knows what bands like Korn tune to.
How should pieces like this be written down? In normal dots they’re really confusing since notes are not where you’d nomally fret them.
Using chord symbols, if the original was played with a capo the shapes you need to play what Johnny played don’t correspond to the actual chord you hear. Tab (if it’s correct) shows you exactly where to put your fingers with no ambiguity about voicings.
I can read music but tab is often a better way of showing how to play a piece on guitar.
I guess I should clarify a bit. I learned to read music in school, when I played trombone in band. Someone noted that there should be a chord notation above the tab. I’ve found that oftentimes, there’s not. That’s notably unhelpful to me. I mean, it’s riduculous to squint at some diagram of where to put your fingers when it’s just a D major, or whatever. If it’s alternate tuning or a weird chord, I understand.
Add to that the fact that a huge percentage of tabs chords or whatever you find on the internet are just flat wrong (do these folks even play along with the song when they do their notation? Are they freaking tone deaf?), it can be really frustrating.
On the balance though, if you’re given a correct tab vs. a correct musical notation, it’s probably six of one, a half dozen of the other.
I love tabs! I have played the sax for 20+ years so obviously I know how to read music, but I had no way of relating the notes on sheet music to what I am supposed to be play on my banjo. So tabs were a great way to learn how to form the notes and from there I am starting to be able to play the “banjer” using sheet music.