The majority of excellent bluegrass pickers that I know cannot read music, or not enough to hurt their playing.

I'm not saying it's wrong. Just that the best players I have played with over the years did not learn to play a great guitar lead or break from a music book or sheet music. They either have talent, a good ear, and a great feel for the music.

I guess if all of those don't work for you, learning to read music is not a bad idea.

I think learning to listen is very effective. So is watching and listening to others if you can.