Originally Posted by: looneytunesI have found online tabs to be helpful only as a starting place. You have to rely on your ear to determine the exact chords and individual notes. The online tabs are terrible, but training your ear will help you in the long run. When I am trying to learn a new song, I will listen to that song all day wherever I am. I learn the words, tune, and isolate the different parts sometimes before I even try to play it.
It would be nice if you could just turn off the tracks that you are not interested in, but you can't do that since the unmixed version is not available. So, you have to train your ear to hear the chords and notes and the changes in the song. Listen to the other instruments and work in your playing to fill in some of these other instruments that will be missing from your version. It takes a lot of practice, but as you progress it becomes easier and easier. You may not need any tabs at all.
I still have trouble with it, but I also rely on my friends to help. That's one of the nice things about this site. You have friends here that are always willing to help.
Good Luck!
I don't think his question implicated that he wanted your views on tabs and improv. HA :p But I like how when you post you always add a little discussion to it, its amusing to read. Meh That is all.