The fact that tablature is ancient doesn't mean it's great for "learning the craft" (in other words, understanding music theory). The age of a notation system is completely irrelevant when deciding what notation system to use, really.
Tablature (for guitar/bass guitar, anyway) reduces note and rhythm information to merely a fret# on a string. This is perfectly fine for people who just want to play a song. I look at tabs sometimes for a quick reference since it's just mentally easier than sheet music.
But if you want to start understanding the theory and relationships between those notes and chords to any meaningful degree, you really do need to start using sheet music. "Fret #3 on the E string to Fret #3 on the A string" doesn't communicate information like "G -> C" does (like the key center, the tonic, etc). It also doesn't limit you to any specific section of the fretboard.
Sheet music is really not that hard to learn. If you want to just use tabs, go ahead, but it's not elitist to point out that sheet music is basically essential for progression as a musician. Music theory is a fundamental part of that progression, unless you just want to play tablature (or sheet music) robotically.
Tablature (for guitar/bass guitar, anyway) reduces note and rhythm information to merely a fret# on a string. This is perfectly fine for people who just want to play a song. I look at tabs sometimes for a quick reference since it's just mentally easier than sheet music.
But if you want to start understanding the theory and relationships between those notes and chords to any meaningful degree, you really do need to start using sheet music. "Fret #3 on the E string to Fret #3 on the A string" doesn't communicate information like "G -> C" does (like the key center, the tonic, etc). It also doesn't limit you to any specific section of the fretboard.
Sheet music is really not that hard to learn. If you want to just use tabs, go ahead, but it's not elitist to point out that sheet music is basically essential for progression as a musician. Music theory is a fundamental part of that progression, unless you just want to play tablature (or sheet music) robotically.