| Your decision to read music or standard notation will | | | | modern guitar texts and tutorials as it allows the |
| depend on what you wish to achieve as a musician. | | | | tutor to convey their instruction without the need for |
| As a classical guitarist, I also read and play music. | | | | standard notation. |
| Reading music will most definitely add an extra string | | | | As mentioned I also read music, this was not an |
| to your musical bow. | | | | option for me. The music school which I attended |
| If as a musician you want to learn to play your guitar | | | | years ago, required all students learning a musical |
| as quickly as possible, learning to read standard | | | | instrument to read and play music. Learning to read |
| notation may well be a hindrance to you. Many | | | | and play standard notation will give you a greater |
| professional acoustic and electric guitarists never learn | | | | appreciation for music which I liken to reading and |
| to read this type of music and are more than | | | | writing not just listening and speaking. Music in |
| proficient in their trade. Learning a series of chords | | | | standard notation is a universal language which |
| and lead breaks, guitar is one of the few instruments | | | | crosses all language barriers. Today, I still enjoy |
| which can be played without the need to read music. | | | | playing compositions which I learnt from my music |
| Most song books available and on the market today | | | | school years. |
| provide chord charts and an illustration of the chord, | | | | Your decision to read or not to read music is |
| as they appear on the fingerboard. Many guitarists | | | | personal. Should you decide however, to learn music |
| today also prefer to read tablature. This is a form of | | | | formally and be graded, you will be expected read |
| music notation which displays finger positioning rather | | | | and perform standard notation music. |
| than musical pitch. This is more commonly used in | | | | |
