Notation or tab or ear?

[Steve with the black dog]

Hi Kevin

Welcome to the board.

I saw you at the Brewery Arts Centre a couple of years with Swarb and Maart.  I hadn't seen you play live before and really enjoyed it - thanks!

Now for my question.  When you compose a piece of complicated guitar music do you write it down or record it?  If so do you write it in notation or tab?

The reason I ask, is that many guitar teachers refuse to teach notation saying it isn't worth bothering with.  In the end I started playing classical to get someone to teach me to read music.  I wondered about your approach.

Cheers

Steve

[kevin dempsey]

Hi Steve,
thanks for that. The brewery arts centre is a great venue. I played there many times with Whippersnapper and also with Chris Leslie, as a one of gig and also as part of the kendal Festival.
As for the music, if it's something I've written then | can usually just remember it. If it's a complicated part behind a tune or set of tunes or song I can usually remember that. When it's lots of chords behind a tune, tunes or a song then I will quite often write a chord chart and mark any particular riffs or runs that I have to play.
My music reading is diabolical (shame on me) and I find tab ok to work things out but very slow.
I do a fair amount of teaching, in groups as at Folkworks summer school, or the week I do in France with Joe Broughton, and do use Chord diagrams, chord charts tab and music, as well as the 'it goes like this method'
Well there you go my first ever Talk Awhile question answered,
thsnkd Steve
kevin

[Steve with the black dog]

Thanks Kevin

You must have a very good ear!

I tried the "it goes like this" method on many occasions.  But rather too often that was greeted by "no Steve, I think you'll find it goes a bit more like this!"

If ever you do a work shop closer to home please post it here and you'll have at least one Talkawhiler signing up!

Best wishes

Steve

[kevin dempsey]

Hi Steve,
I sometimes do a day at the conservatoire in B'ham, so I'll let you know. I'm doing a residential weekend in Darlington, 30,31 oct and 1st nov, not exactly local, but if your there by any chance.............................
Cheers
kev