Do You Read Music?

No.

I used to read music well.  Now I try to make up my own bass lines and fingerpick patterns to fit the chord structures of songs I want to play.  I don't play anything like a cover - never trying to reproduce what the original (or at least well known) artist did. 

There's a few reasons for this.  First, it allows me to play like me.  I can develop my own style.  In that I'm very early on in my guitar playing, I can't both reproduce a song and bring my own style and sound to it the way talented and skilled artists do.  So, I just bring my own style and sound to it without worrying about reproducing elements from the so-called 'right' version.  Second, the folks who record music in studios and in gigging bands are very, very good musicians.  I am not.  So, they bring chord changes, techniques, and tools that I just don't have.  I may try and learn them here and there a little at a time, but I'm not worried about getting a song 'right' in that way.  Third, if I wanted to hear a song exactly the way a band first did it, I'd just play the CD.   Fourth, it's fun. 

So, I don't worry about being able to read music.  I think it would be a good advantage but it's just not high on my priority list.

- Zurf

yes it took me awhile but it really helped me understand music a lot better and opened the door for creative ideas I never dreamed of trying

Hi toobusi,
I took up guitar just after Christmas.  It was one of those things on my learn to play list. Call me a sucker for punishment,  but I started playing the organ when I was 5.  So i had to read music( that was 30ish years ago).  I got away from it for quite a while, but when I had kids got back to it and learnt them too.  Sorry, I'm babbling.
Anyway, i would chose either way, read music or read tab.  The reading tab was really easy for me.  But I think being able to read music definitely has it's advantages.  It can lead you down other paths and your not stuck with just reading tab.
I also can play by ear and it drives my daughter crazy how I can play a song (note wise) after just hearing it.
But please, please don't ask me to sing for anyone except my daughter ( Long story)  Something I'm working on.
I think being able to read music will pay off in the future.

Reading standard notation will help you in some ways, but it isn't necessary to play most of the music you want to play.  Things that will help immensely are learning to read a key signature, and learning to read the rhythm parts of a song.

That way you can sit down with granny at Christmas and play along while she bangs stuff out on the piano.

I can read music (regular and tab), and I'm proud of it. Seeing that I also play piano and sing, it helps when I can't figure something out (which actually is quite rare, because I can play and sing by ear). So I think it's pretty important, and I relish having the ability.

My sweetheart is a Hondo 3/4 acoustic named Kiah Zoey Rosalita.

"Happiness in life is all you need--along with a guitar and a little chocolate." -Unknown (but the guitar part was mine )

I can sort of read music. I'm teaching myself to 'cause there is stuff I want to play that I can't find in just tab or chords xD

I've been playing for little over 45 years and am musically illiterate...but I learned to play by ear at a very early age.

I agree with the idea that being able to read helps to open new doors and adds to one's appreciation of the art of making music.  I was lucky to learn to read music at an early age.  It is not an essential skill, but it helps immensely.

Unfortunately, some formally-trained musicians become far too dependent on having notes on paper.  These 'paper trained' players freeze up and freak out unless everything is spelled out for them on a musical staff.  In extreme cases these players are totally lost without a music stand - even if they 'know' the music they can't just play without the paper.

I really like what owlboy said, "the best way to read music is to write it".  Invent a tune then figure out how to write the notes and rhythms.  Excellent advice.

I've just started to learn to read music a few days, so im still all staves and ledger lines......