I know one can read music, and fill in with your own personal touches. In fact, you should improvise some while reading music. To play the song exactly as it is written, could be boring.

I read music and I am lost without it. My buddy plays by ear, and has no idea how to
read music. We both wish, we could do what the other can do, as each has its own benifits.
It's the musician, that can do both, that I really admire.

SeeYa,
Larry Hawk