I'm a schooled musician and my early training kind of hurt me because I was so dependent on the written page. I still use my home made fake book and lead sheet cards for my gigs but I can improvise and figure things out by ear also.
A combination is best but the again, one of my favorites, Eroll Gardner, couldn't read a note.
Bottom line --does it sound good.

Bill NJ
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Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer