Originally Posted by: fracturedOne thing is confusing me though -- There are what looks to be chord names above the top of the standard notes section every so often (about once or twice a measure... depending on the song/section). There are even chord diagrams for all of these chords at the top of the first page in each song.[/quote]
Unfortunately, quite often sheet music books use very standard, uniform little images for any and all chords. For example, regardless of the precise voicing that a song uses for an A major chord, the book publisher decides to simply use the standard open position A major chord.

Grambo is right in this regard: follow the tab. Then read (or learn to first if necessary!) the music staff notation and see if that helps make matters clearer.
[QUOTE=fractured]
... the tab notation says play the A string at the 2nd fret but the note at the top would say F or D which means I would have no fingers on the A string at all???

Without much more precise, detailed info it is not possible to give a complete answer.

"Play the A string at the 2nd fret" indicates the note B. But neither the F or D chords use the note B. :confused: And does it actually say "F or D"? Or is this given as an example? Either the F or D chords can use the A string in various voicings. But not the note B.