Hi, I’m Bill Dickman, a guitar instructor based in Madison, WI. One question that comes up a lot in my studio is, “Do I need to learn how to read music to play guitar?” The short answer: no, you don’t! Many of my students achieve great success without ever formally learning to read traditional notation. However, the full answer depends on your goals and the type of music you want to play. Let’s break it down by looking at style, repertoire, music theory, and composition.
Style
When it comes to style, reading music isn’t always essential. If you’re interested in playing rock, pop, folk, or country, guitar tablature (tabs) or chord charts are all you need to get started. These styles are often based on feel, improvisation, and ear training, which means you can rely more on patterns, shapes, and listening rather than reading sheet music. Many famous guitarists in these genres, like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, didn’t read music traditionally.
For classical guitar, jazz, or certain forms of traditional folk music, being able to read sheet music may give you a huge advantage. Classical guitar, in particular, relies heavily on written scores, as many of the pieces come from centuries-old compositions that are meticulously notated. Jazz musicians may benefit from reading music to understand intricate chord changes and melodies, but even then, many great jazz guitarists play primarily by ear and lead sheets.
Repertoire
Your repertoire is closely tied to the styles you want to play. If your goal is to play contemporary songs or even write your own music, you can build an impressive repertoire without ever learning to read music. Tabs and chord sheets will be your best friends for learning songs quickly and effectively.
If you’re aiming to explore classical or jazz guitar repertoire, learning to read music might open up a world of possibilities. Classical guitarists often perform pieces that are hundreds of years old, and the nuances of these compositions are best conveyed through sheet music. Similarly, advanced jazz guitarists may use sheet music to understand complex arrangements and solo ideas.
In my lessons, I always ask students what kind of music excites them, and that determines whether or not we explore reading traditional notation. Remember, there are multiple paths to musical success.
Music Theory
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to read music to understand music theory. This isn’t true! Music theory is about understanding the structure of music, which includes chords, scales, keys, rhythm, and harmony—concepts that apply regardless of whether you read music or not. In fact, many of my students learn theory by playing, listening, and experimenting rather than by reading notation.
When we dive into theory during lessons, we often work with chord charts, tabs, or by simply analyzing songs you enjoy. For instance, understanding how a song’s chord progression works or how scales fit over a solo can be done entirely by ear or by looking at patterns on the fretboard.
Composition
If you’re interested in writing your own music, reading traditional sheet music isn’t a requirement. Many of the world’s best songwriters don’t write their songs down in standard notation. Instead, they use recordings, chord charts, or tabs to capture their ideas.
In my experience, guitarists who compose often use their ears, their knowledge of theory, and the physical layout of the guitar to create songs. Once you understand basic theory, you can compose and communicate your musical ideas without ever needing to read or write traditional notation.
Final Thoughts
So, do you need to learn to read music to play guitar? No, not necessarily. It depends on what kind of music you want to play and what your personal goals are. If you’re aiming to play rock, pop, folk, or even write your own music, tabs and chords are all you need to get started. However, if you want to dive into classical or jazz, reading music might be beneficial—but it’s not an absolute must.
At the end of the day, your musical journey is yours to shape. In my studio, whether or not you learn to read music is just one of many choices we make together based on your interests. My job is to guide you through the process, ensuring that you’re learning in a way that keeps you inspired and growing as a musician.
Bill Dickman
