It doesn't matter if you play by reading the classical notes on the staff, or tab, or Nashville charts or if you can't do any of them and have to play by ear.....just as long as you enjoy music and what you're doing.

I've known people who play wonderfully and fall into one or more of those categories.

I myself fall into the "predominately by ear" category however, I can read some classical line and staff stuff if I had to figure something out, and can play well with chord charts as my guide.

I heard that the Beatles were also not very adept at reading music and that was a point of ridicule in their early days. "Those guys with long hair can't even read the music they're playing." << my Mom said that. But look at how much they changed the world playing by ear.

I've played in church settings where the piano players could play a piece of music from sheet music in a key with 4 flats but couldn't jam in the key of C to a 1/4/5 blues progression. In fact, one even asked what was I talking about when I said it's a 1/4/5 in E.

To each his own, depending on how one learned. There's no harm in being in one of those camps, and it's even better if one has taken the time to learn two or more of them. Nashville studio musicians can play wonderful things from their numbering system and knowing the key. Short side bar story: I saw a country star in concert one evening. Her band was super tight and sounded like her recordings. After the show, I noticed the guitarist was standing off to the side watching things. I walked up and introduced myself and complimented him on the show. I asked how long they had been playing with this lady. His reply was revealing. He said that none of the band had played with her before that night, or each other as her backup band and that several of them flew in from Nashville, including him, to play that gig. They used the Nashville numbering system charts, and played the solo's since they were familiar with her and her band's hit records from the past. They spent a few days before the gig learning the stuff on their own and a quick sound check was all the rehearsal time they had had. Impressive.

TO say one shouldn't use Tab or shouldn't play by ear, or shouldn't do this or that is, frankly, IMHO, wrong. Use whatever tool you need to use to get the job done. With music, the only thing that should matter to anyone, be it the musician, or the listener is..... how does it sound? Did you like hearing that song, did you like playing that songs? Yes? Then all is good.

Much in the same way there are no "right way to tune the guitar".....there are dozens of tunings and all are for a purpose and have a reason and sound good.

So... just play.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 05/21/16 04:08 AM.
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