DO I NEED TO LEARN TO READ MUSIC?

Most rock, blues, metal etc guitarist cannot read music, but that doesn’t stop them having excellent theoretical knowledge of the guitar.

It is probably not essential to learn to read music if you are going to continue to play rock blues etc, but it sure is useful if you want to expand your career in music in regards to being a ‘sideman’ (hired player), session player, teacher, or arranger.

I have never learned to read music, I can scarcely read Tab but I generally learn a song within 3 – 7 minutes completely by good ear training and knowledge.

However I have lost some potentially well paying jobs by NOT being able to read music, but generally I have never had the need to do it.

It is better to have good ear training and good guitar theory than bother with reading the notes on a page.

Two quotes come to mind on this subject although I am not sure who or where they came from……

“….the best way to get a guitar player to turn down is to put a chart in front of him.”

“….I can read music but not enough to stifle my creative playing”

illy