So, I took lessons for about 5 years with a teacher that taught banjo through tab. After an additional 5 years of frustration and stagnation I finally started lessons again. This new teacher tells me that starting with tab is the worst thing you can do. His reasoning is that you work on songs before you even know what they sound like, you don't learn the neck as well, and it is hard to keep time with tab. While both teachers stressed knowing the melody this one is all about picking a song's melody before even attempting anything else.
Sooooooo, what are your experiences. Someone please tell me a story to make me feel better about how slow my progression has been ( I may be low-intermediate level at best after all this time and struggle with jamming). I am hoping a trip to Elderly this week will lift my spirits...