In most instruments there are different ways of writing music. In guitars we can find basically two ways of writing music, by tablatures (tabs) or by notes.


The notes are difficult to read because it's a very difficult skill to accomplish but it has it rewards. For example, a musician who reads notes doesn't even have to memorize a song because he can simply read it from his or her note sheet while he's playing. He can know the tempo of the song he's playing, he can know exactly what note he's playing, and he can transport the song very easily to any other instrument. A person who knows how to read notes can reproduce a song entirely and perfectly without even knowing it or hearing it. Notes sheets are very detailed, they contain every single thing that musicians need, that's why they are able to play by just read.


Tablatures are very easy for people to read because they just need to follow the instructions. But most of the times, the people that use tabs don't have any idea of what notes they are playing. Another inconvenience is that tablatures need to be memorized, I haven't met until now, any person who can play and read a tablature at the same time. Any one who uses tabs won't know the tempo, or the notes he's playing, and in consequence, it's very hard to transpose a song in tabs to another instrument.


Tabs are very easy to read, but you'll need a tape with the song recorded to hear the song once and again until you get it, and then you'll have to memorize it. And if you forget it, you'll have to do the whole process again.


In conclusion, notes are much better than tabs, but it's very hard to learn them. In order to learn this technique, you need a lot of time, patience, effort, and constancy. You can start playing with tabs but if you want to be a profesional musician, you'll have to learn notes eventually. Most professional players know both ways of reading, but the one they use the most is the notation by notes because it's much better and much more detailed.