There used to be a story that the incredible Jimmy Smith couldn't read. The fact was he could read quite well, but didn't have to. He could hear a song once and play it, or so the story goes.

I played in a band with a blind guy who is now a big star in France. He didn't need to read either. He could hear just about anything. But he could read braille music as well. Now that's a skill.

I've done some session work and at one time was in a hired horn session behind a wanna-be star who never made it.

They stick a horn chart in front of us, some time explain a little on how it should be approached, and you read. If you don't read, you don't get the gig.

I've even seen drummers get gigs because they could read drum charts.

I've been in bands where nothing was notated and reading wasn't a necessary skill. But knowing how to read and knowing music theory made my life easier, my learning quicker, my understanding of the music better and my performance better.

If you can't read, you are handicapping yourself. At least that's the way I see it, and I don't know any readers who thought reading wasn't helpful.

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