I was taught to play by ear. My teacher would ask me to bring a recording of a song I wanted to learn and then would show me how to hear the bass line, chord changes, and melody line and apply them to my guitar. Many years later in order to fulfill curriculum requirements, I found myself in a music theory class. I was able to astound my instructor by being able (by ear) to identify by name most of the chords he played on the piano. Mostly, though, I was kept busy learning to write music by 17th and 18th century rules. Strangely, I have never since been called upon to use those forms! Despite all of the theory, I never really learned how to apply what I had learned to any instrument in any meaningful way. I will admit that in time, certain broad concepts from that class began to sink in. So I guess "It didn't hurt me none".

If you hold a gun on me, I can sit at a piano and painstakingly plink out a melody from a piece of sheet music. There are times when I envy those who can both read and apply written music to an instrument. From time to time I run across a book full of interesting-looking songs. But unless I can get someone to play them for me, I have little idea of how they should sound.

On the other hand, I love hearing songs performed by others and trying to figure out how to play what I hear. It feels like what I think of when using the words "folk music". And, by the way, I always thought it should be the "aural" tradition rather than "oral"!

I have to agree with Art, I like being a solo act. At least solo with regard to instrument. I always found it troublesome, at best, to try to teach another player the same sense of rythm and timing. However, I have always enjoyed singing with a partner. Somehow sharing vocal nuances seems easier - don't understand why.