Reading Music

     There are various misconceptions formed by guitar students (and some controversy among guitar teachers) about the degree of importance that should be ascribed to the ability to read standard notation in today's popular styles. As a teacher, I focus on the ability to read music for the purpose of developing the ear - as well as the ability to 'grasp' new material more quickly - and efficiently (this is the development of the mind). Any preconception that one must become a 'monster sight-reader' to succeed in musical development is just not true. Actually -- I'm not sure there is such an animal --- all of us need to spend some time with a piece before we get a handle on it. The only question is: Will we need 5 minutes... or five hours... or five weeks?