My first guitar teacher in the late 60's taught me the "old school" way using the Alfred guitar books. So while I was listening to Jimi (my first concert in 1969), Eric, and Carlos, I was learning to read music while playing single note versions of Loch Lomond, Yellow Rose of Texas, and Beautiful, Beautiful Brown Eye. Then one day I actually found a music book of the songs from Jimi Hendrix's first album! I remember being so excited until I got home and started playing from it...sure didn't sound like Hendrix. Of course this was back in the pre-tab days when books like these were usually written by keyboard players who had no idea about bent notes,etc. or the fact that Jimi was tuned down a half step, so most of the songs were written out in Eb and Ab...I still have the book.

However, I've never regretted learning to read, as over the years it helped to open the doors to jazz and classical guitar playing, and a continued love for music theory. Thanks Alfred!