Do you read the notes?

I was forced by my mother to take up an instrument when I was 5. I started with piano but then went to violin (my brother was a piano protege - so the competition was a bit rough). I had a lapse for a few years and then picked it back up in junior high (again pushed by my mother). I am thankful she pushed so hard. Because of all those years of playing in orchestras and music camps I've grown to appreciate classical music. I still have my violin, and my oldest wants to learn. I will start to teach her soon. The kids these days learn to raed music very quickly. In their music classes in elementary school they play recorders and learn to read music that way. My 10 year old daughter plays percussion, which begins with the bells (xylophone). So she's continuing with music. I regret that I didn't attempt to play the viola or cello. I think the cello is my favorite sounding string instrument now. But at the time I didn't have the desire to learn the whole other staff. -Tink

I took some piano lessons when I was little and learned basic notes, but now I don't remember them much. I play guitar more now, and just use tabs instead of notes.

For me music is for the ears not the eyes, i honestly dont think it is necessary to read it blessed be

at my primary school, we all learnt the Recorder and basic note reading with that. I think most people probably forgot it after that but I went on to learn the flute. I haven't played in 10 years but I can still read music unless it's in a very high octave, then I have to count! Other than being able to play music, being able to read music was useful when I was in a choir as it helped me follow the tune.