If I like a piece I can play it by ear fro the most part. I know enough about reading music to get me into trouble! I still try to read music, but get frustrated with it real easy because I know what I think the tune should sound like and try to play it without actually looking at the printed sheet. Like everyone that knows music has said so far, the important thing is to have fun with it, like Ricky Nelson said in Garden Party, ....You can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself.....!