What's up with guitarists not knowing musical notes?

Question

I've noticed this a lot in band throughout school, every guitarist I've ever known has no idea how to read music. How can you do that? I know you all use tabs, but it's not like music is hard to read. I guess if you just play one phrase over-and-over again tabs are more convenient, but you use them on solos as well, right? Can anyone clarify this?

Answer 1

I cannot read music, it IS hard to read. I went to music class and flunked. Loads of musicians learned to play in their bedrooms and thus cannot read sheet music. It is acceptable to me. I am not so stuck up to say I am better than someone else simply because I can do something they can't so get over it.

Answer 2

Reading music for guitar is a lot harder than reading music for piano. On a piano, you don't have to memorize where every note is like you do on a guitar, because the piano has a repeating pattern.

It isn't really necessary to read music for most guitarists, (well at least rock and pop guitarists). If you know basic chords and how and when to use, it doesn't really matter what notes are in them.

Answer 3

I've asked my husband the same thing. He can't read music yet he can play anything on any instrument and is in a band. I asked why he can't read music. He said he just never has.

Answer 4

Everyone that I have ever known that played a guitar did not know how to read music. Did you know Jimmy Hendrix did not know how to read music or tune his guitar?

Answer 5

it's quite simple. no one (includung me) wants to take the time to learn how to read the sheet music. They want to start playing songs. With me, it's interesting. I know how to read music, but I find guitar music to be too complicated.

Answer 6

Nope, you totally dont need to read music, i never learned and can shred just as well on a guitar. Now if you dont know thoery, thats a different story.

Answer 7

Well, I see it this way- The Beatles couldn't read a single note & look what *They* did.

Answer 8

I can do both!