When playing sax or wind synth I can still sightread even though I don't need to do that.

If there is an extremely tricky rhythm, I may have to count it out first and would probably get something close on a sight read and go on without losing my place. When I was in school, I could sight read just about anything, but that was ancient history.

I don't think note names, the dots and the fingers are connected. Same for the rhythm, the counting is non-verble.

Reading on the guitar takes woodshedding, as it is my newest instrument. Reading on the guitar is more difficult than the sax, but transposing is easier (lose one thing and gain another).

Piano is another woodshed instrument.

I can and do learn things by ear, but in most cases I prefer to use both my ears and my eyes, so I like to have the music and a recording. Having both skills makes learning something new easier and quicker.

It's my opinion that every musician should learn at least basic music theory, which includes reading.

Sure there are some who can be a great orator and speech writer who never learned to read or write and never learned the rules of grammar, etc., but they are exceptions to the rule. The vast majority do better after learning how to read and language 'theory'.

Same for music. If you know the hows and whys of things, you can do more in less time. That doesn't mean you can't break the rules, but you should know that you are breaking them when you do, so if you like it, you can repeat it at will.

Insights and incites by Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks