Started playing drums (by way of my father) at the age of 6. Now the odd thing is, is my father was a musician all his life.. but when you start on drums (unless it's timpani) you don't really get into notes. Yes he instructed me of course on rests, etc. He got me into the cadet thing which I did until 11 or 12.
But I never took any formal training for either guitar or piano, which I really regret. One thing that facinates me, and this isn't always the case, but I've seen it a lot, is where a proficient pianist or guitarist can sit down with music in front of them...you take it away, and they're lost. This isn't the case with every pianist or guitarist, but I've sat down with them in the past, we've done a song, with them reading and myself playing by ear, and they've been totally lost without the music in front, no matter how many times they've played it. I would love to have that ability in addition to playing by ear. I don't sight read although I can plunk the music out given the time to break it down. I believe there's a lot to be said for both methods, or a combination of the two.
Just my thots.