’m often asked about the importance of learning to read music. Is it really necessary? Do you need to read music to learn guitar? Will it make you a better guitar player?
Like many things in life, the answer isn’t so simple. Several factors need to be considered first.
Your Relationship with the Guitar
The first thing to consider is why you want to play guitar. Is there something that draws you to the instrument? Are you inspired by a specific style of music or a particular guitarist? Are you doing it for fun, or do you see it as a potential profession? Are you in a band, or do you want to be? Do you want to play for your own enjoyment or entertain others? Is it just a hobby?
In other words, what does the guitar mean to you, and how do you envision yourself as a guitarist moving forward?
There are no right or wrong answers here. Understanding your goals will help determine whether learning to read music is important for you.
The Importance of Music Style
The style of music you choose to play is a significant indicator of whether reading music is necessary. Some traditions heavily rely on written music.
For example, if you aim to be a Classical Guitarist, reading music is crucial. The entire repertoire is written in standard notation for study and performance.
Other cultures, like Indian classical music, use no formal written music at all. Folk music styles, including Blues and Gypsy Jazz, are passed down through generations, often learned by ear.
Rock, Pop, and Country music are similarly learned by listening to recordings and emulating past greats. Notable players like Tommy Emmanuel, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles didn’t learn to read music.
Jazz originally developed like folk traditions but has since integrated into mainstream education, leading many jazz players to become proficient readers. However, some guitarists, like George Benson, don’t read music at all.
Time Commitment
We all have the same amount of time in a day, and how we use that time matters.
Learning to read music is time-consuming. It requires consistent practice to make it worthwhile.
If you’re playing music for fun, as a hobby, reading music (unless for classical guitar) might take away from what you really want to do—play music. In this case, it’s an option rather than a necessity.
For aspiring professional musicians, the decision to learn to read music becomes more complex.
Weighing the Pros & Cons
Benefits of Reading Music:
- Opens up more avenues of work.
- Enhances understanding of music and musicianship.
- Essential for further study, particularly in tertiary education.
- Expands your access to written music, including valuable resources like the Berklee method books.
- Keeps the mind active, particularly for older learners.
Drawbacks of Reading Music:
- The main downside is the time investment required.
- Many great players don’t read a note, so it’s not essential for everyone.
Conclusion
Do you need to read music to be a good guitar player? No.
Should you learn to read music? It really depends on your goals and what you want to achieve.
One of my old teachers, Bruce Clarke, insisted that every student learned to read music—it was a prerequisite for studying with him. I’m glad I learned, and as a teacher, I think it’s something I should be able to do. However, I don’t insist that all my students learn to read music. For many, I don’t think it’s the best use of their time.
