Now Coyote Breath, there is no such thing as a math phobia (this said from a former math teacher). As I told my little sister when she was impatient with algebra, first open the damn book! (without slamming it across the room) Seriously, JUST DO IT! By far the most important element in any type of learning is motivation. And reading music, or training the ear (like math, or swinging a baseball bat, or even making small talk) IS A SKILL!