Should I Learn to Read Music?
"My guitar teacher is telling me that I need to learn to read music, and I don't understand why. I'm 44 years old, and all I want to do is learn to play acoustic guitar with my friends. Is it really that important for me to learn to read music?"
"Should I learn to read music" is a question I get all the time, and my answer always is "it depends". In my opinion Doug probably doesn't need to learn to read music, considering his age (chances are he's not going to take up playing music professionally), and his aspirations. There are many notable pop musicians who can't read or write music (Paul McCartney being a prime example) who have nonetheless written some fantastic, complex songs.
Having said that, I believe it's important for young guitarists to learn to read music as part of their early training. Although a 13 year old new guitar player may just want to bash through three-chord heavy metal songs right now, who knows where they'll want to take their music in the future. By learning to read music now, they won't limit themselves later in life.
For guitarists like Doug, learning to read guitar tab will probably be enough to allow them to enjoy playing guitar. For guitarists who'd like to learn to read music on their own, I highly recommend A Modern Method for Guitar Vol. 1 by William G. Leavitt.
Comments
Hi Dan
I disagree with your comment that young guitarists should learn music notes. I think people should be able to choose what they would like to do. If learning music theory is something they choose to do, then by all means, do it.
I think the creativity gets killed when people try and play other people’s music and stuff.
Also, when I was learning piano, as a youngster I loved it, until the dreaded day came along when the teacher started forcing me to play this and that. I then stopped. I hated piano after that.
I personally think that creativity should take preference, and that does not really include being able to read music. Rather be able to make your own music.
Thanks for a great website
Cheerio
Mar:-J
While I agree that theory sometimes gets in the way of creativity, the reverse can also be true. I’ve played guitar on and off casually for the last twelve years of my life (being twenty-eight now), always quitting for extended periods of time out of frustration. Just this last year, I finally forced myself to learn some music theory basics and I can’t possibly explain what a difference it’s made in my ability to express myself creatively on the guitar. Not only that, but learning the ins and outs of rhythm and harmony has also expanded my taste in music, piquing my interest in everything from jazz to gospel to classical and world music. The more I learn about theory, the more I want to know. So I really think the important thing for any musician is balance: learn a little, play with that knowledge until you’re ready to move on, and then hit the books some more.
If you are playing guitar for yourself or just for fun: who cares.
If you plan to be the next best Rocker, then you need to know and\or Learn to Read Music. I am a 36 year old Beginner and I want to Learn the Guitar: Inside and Out and the Good and Bad. I think that the simple fact that you are paying for lessons in a face-to-face session, means you should do what the instructor is asking you to do. If not, learn to use TAB…
If you ever intend to be a serious guitar player–or serious musician you better learn to read and play the music. There are always jobs for musicians that read on sight, and few for those who wing it. It’s like saying you can play baseball, but you don’t need to know how to read the rules….or a doctor, but you don’t need to read the medical books.
I am a 67 y/o and I just bought my 1st guitar - so I have a ways to go. However, my nephew was interviewed by the college music dept for a possible scholarship. He was a killer on the music that he chose. When they gave him THEIR choice - he was lost. He couldn’t read music - he had been playing by ear all through high school. Lesson learned too late!
Along with sir pau, only 1 of the members of radiohead can read music, and their stuff is extremely complex. I see no point. you cant express feeling or emotion well on a piece of paper
Music is a venture in life. I am 60 years old. I played from age 13 until age 25. I sold all my equipment before my son was born. I put myself thru college in 4 bands and never read a note. In 2006 I took up music again. For fun I took it up as a new Venture. I am learning music now and will allow it to lead me. Let it be. If you want the in depth works and challenges of music …do it. You have a life to learn. The riches child is poor without music..
Hi Dan,
First hear this.
Im a Great fan of ur site…..and thanks for putting thoes lessons on guitar online. Great job…
But i disagree relating learning with age. Knowledge whether musical or any other is always good to aquire.
To my knowledge, Sir Elton John, for instance, did not knew playing music till age of 35. And Im sure like me people world over must be worshipping him too for his musical hold. So i dont favour linkage of age with learning.
But you’re right when u say that by learning to read music also apart from playing won’t limit anyone in life.
Cheers to you for making this great useful site….
Would be great if you could also help in suggesting more on strumming patterns with their names.
Thanks
:-)
I am glad i have stumbled on to this site , all my questions just got answered on 1 page, i got a gift from a person i met only once on a job i was doing he gave me his electric guitar having played a classical guitar for a while as a child i thought why not , the as is always with life strange things happen , i now have a very good friend who just so happens to be the lead singer and primary song writer for a band and to say they have inspired me is putting it mildly, after a couple of months on the guitar gifted to me , my friend from the band said he had an electric for sale as his mrs was making him sell one because he had bought another so i did , things were beginning to get interesting and i had the bug but wanted a guitar i could just pick up and play so it was Accoustic time i fell in love imediately she is second only to my girlfriend i am now 34 by the way and can’t read music and i don’t think any of the band can either , i will find out tonight , anyway i have just had a second guitar book bought for me and have ploughed right into it. i have not spent my time trying to play other peoples songs i have things in my head that sound good i just need to re-create them so i try….. though i have touched on the reading of music it is something i will learn slowly alongside my playing as i do not see it benefitting what is coming out of my head although i would one day like to be able to musically write down what i am playing as (fingers crossed) it isn’t too shabby. the comments on this blogg eased my mind as i have had a few frustrating days since i got the book looking at the enormous mountain i have to climb in order to understand the guitar fully ( you know what i just enjoy playing and so do the guys in the band i am just an observer by the way ) peace and respect. Music Lovers
Thanks for the great site. This is a great source of knowledge for beginners. I think learning to read music could be a huge benefit for any guitar player. For myself I want to learn to read music because I think it will make me a better guitar player.
A good site, good short contents of the good work. I have loved your site :,
I agree with you when you say that in the personal case of Doug, its alright if he doesn’t learn to read music as it is really difficult to learn anything form scratch at this age. Though exceptions are always there. I think you have answered Doug in the most logical way since he doesn’t wish to play professional and just for his entertainment it is alright.
Thanks
Music School LA
im a beginner at guitar and can already read music. i’ve been playing cello and flute for a good few years now and i think once you learn to read music fluently it makes a great difference to your playing. i learned piano when i was younger and couldn’t read music but i learned cello i immediately caught on. reading on sight is a great skill to have (especially if you plan to join an orchestra or teach) so i think it is definatly worthwhile to learn.