Should guitarists learn to read sheet music?

Here's a quick summary of the topics covered in this lesson. See links to other related lessons below!

• How to read TAB & chord diagrams

• How to work out songs BY EAR

• How to jam in different keys

• How to jam with a LOOPER in different keys

The short answer is NO - most pro guitarists can’t read traditional music notion at ALL!

Traditional sheet music does not tell you which E to play!

But there are some sight reading things that have advantages;

1. Knowing where the notes are on the fretboard - reading TAB

2. Reading rhythms - Most TAB is bad for this, traditional notation is better

3. Non reading theory points have more advantages, such as;

   1. Diatonic chords

   2. scale/ chord theory

   3. scale/ mode theory

Finally, at a higher level - I believe prioritising learning to improvise freely will lead to better and more fulfilment on the instrument.