Ok, chiming in on the topic in 2017. I read through all the posts. Unless I missed something, it seems as if everyone is talking about looking at their guitar, on their lap, or whatever. We are looking at the TAB. As we should be. Looking at the TAB, (or Standard Notation) helps us to get a feel for the fret board. Looking back and forth sucks, as it is so easy to loose your place within the written music. TAB is really just a 'picture' of the guitar. (if there are 6 strings, there are 6 lines, 7 string guitars have 7 lines...etc) While standard musical notation is a graph of high and low notes (frequencies). My thought on the subject is that TAB is upside down. It should have the low E on the top. That is the way the guitar is. When you watch a guitarist play, where is their low E? On top, of course. When you look at TAB, it is as if you are watching someone play . That is how it should be. TAB is a "picture" of the guitar. (moving through time) I am a guitar teacher, and EVERY beginner that looks at TAB the first time, assumes the Low E is the top line. That alone, says volumes. Either way, we adapt! Thanks, Bob