Reading sheet music: yay or nay?

[SilverSpoon]

This particularly applies to guitarists, b***ists and drummers who have easy access to online tablatures.

So do you think it is important to be able to read sheet music?

When I used to play guitar I started by learning sheet music first. I got into tabs much later.
I don't know if this is a yay or nay kind of a question. I think it's more personal preference. Whether learning sheet music is a benefit or not would depend on the individual I think.

[SilverSpoon]

Well, if you just want to bus out your favourite rock songs or whatever, then yeah, tabs would be easier to go with. But I think it's beneficial for a more serious musician. You can't really learn music theory with tabs, for one. Also, all the small things like dynamic markings and accents and fermatas, etc. are pretty much non-existant in tabs.

I used to be able to use the argument that you can't just pick up a new tab and play the song because rhythmic values were not there, but now with things like Guitar Pro the tablatures have rhythmic values. I think the most beneficial thing about tabs (particularly guitar and bass ones) is that it helps with fret choice. You know, like do you play a B on the low E string 7th fret, or do you play it on the A string 2nd fret?

I hate to admit it, but I am a tablature guitarist. I can read sheet music because I play the piano and clarinet as well, but I never properly learned how to read it while playing a guitar.

[darko.]

learning as much as you can will make it easier. that goes for everything, IDIOT.

[SilverSpoon]

Yeah, I suppose. But let's say you're a drummer...reading sheet music isn't a necessity.

[T-J]

Originally Posted by SilverSpoon

So do you think it is important to be able to read sheet music?

You said it yourself; it really depends on what instrument you are playing. As a classical guitar-player I will definitely go with "yay" since it is nearly impossible to play classical music without sheets.

[SilverSpoon]

Well, string instruments are really the only ones that can have tablatures. I don't see how it could work with wind instruments where you'd need key combinations or need to shape your mouth to get a note out.