Whilst I have come across a certain amount of opposition to the necessity of learning to read music, it is a skill which I always aim to cover in my lessons. Amongst most classical musicians, this would probably not seem so suprising, but it is all too often overlooked by many guitar teachers. It is certainly true that there have been innumerable guitarists in the rock and pop genres who have had highly lucrative careers and are outstanding musicians and performers having never read music. But it is an extremely beneficial musical skill, and I would consider it highly irresponsible of me - as a teacher with the ability to read music - not to raise the subject during the course of lessons. That is not to discredit the many very capable and skilled teachers who do brilliant work without any knowledge of music notation; and I do not hesitate to emphasise that such teachers of modern guitar do exist and are able to produce commendable results. Although I am mainly a classical guitarist, I find that enabling the student to read and interpret standard musical notation is as much beneficial to the popular musical genres I teach as well. I find it easier to point out musical details that can be improved on, and moments where accuracy - be it musical, rhythmical or physical - are perhaps slightly flawed. It is often harder to do this relying on the memory alone, and far more time-consuming in the process. That is certainly not to say that I disapprove of memorising music, but simply that it should be at least memorised as one intends it to be performed. Furthermore, it is often easier to notice alternative fingerings or ways of playing certain passages that are perhaps better suited to the individual player. This is something that is less immediately obvious when reading from alternatively notated scores such as tablatures. It is also much more conducive to an understanding of harmony and music theory in general.

Suffice to say, there are other musical skills which should be developed alongside this. Music is above all, the art of sound and the ears should be trained throughout the course. This is often an argument put forward by those who consider music-reading a non-essential skill, and I agree inasmuch as it should never neglect training of the ears. But I consider it one of my responsibilities, as a musician with the ability myself to read music, to pass on such skills, even if the student cannot see the immediate benefit in it. It is highly unlikely any of my students will be rewarded by a great playing ability alone with a lucrative performing career which does not require them to read music. But, they could at least have the opportunity for numerous playing careers where this skill would be highly advantageous. Whilst I am mainly a classical player these days, I have also played electric and bass guitar for other functions such as theatre performances. None of these jobs would have been available to me if I had not been able to read the score. I have been reminded on occassions that most music performances throughout the world and history have not relied on written notation. But I would be inclined to believe that likewise most stories told historically were passed on aurally, not through written literature. And yet I doubt there would be anyone who would rightly use this argument to suggest that teaching children to read is a waste of school time!