{ When Chet Atkins a famous guitarist was asked, "Do you read music?", His answer was, "NOT ENOUGH TO HURT MY PLAYING" }
I just LOVE that quotation

I don't class myself as being able to read music, however, if I wish to learn a new song/tune and the only way is 'from the dots' then I can work out the melody line slowly from the sheet music. I can read chord symbols - having learned them many years ago, playing guitar in a big band.
However, my preferred method of learning a new tune/song is to just listen to it on CD, tape, record or whatever, and work out the melody and chords with my God given ear and gut feeling. I know that I am extremely fortunate to possess this ability and that it is not something which can be easily learned - if it all.
Some of the chords I use, may not be 'as written' in the sheet music, but I find that they fit and sound OK to me. As far as the melody is concerned, I never play a tune the same way twice. I play the melody and maybe even change or substitute a chord, the way I feel it, at the time I play. It's an instantaneous creative process which I think is in-born.
Whilst not wishing to offend anyone, or belittle the ability to play from 'the dots' and I really admire those who can sight read, I feel that just playing exactly what is written on the sheet, without adding one's own 'personal touch', is a bit like putting a paper roll in a player piano.

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Willum

[This message has been edited by Bill Norrie (edited 09-09-2003).]