I started out as a child playing hymns by ear on a friend's piano. Several years later I began lessons and proceeded to study classical piano for about 12 years, all the while still learning my favorite pop tunes by ear. But now I had a name for the chords. I also found that sheet music was very often transcribed incorrectly, or incompletely. If I ever bought any, it was for the words and not the music. To this day I trust my ear, for it rarely ever fails me, and my years of study serve as a good backup.

When I started the fiddle two years ago, I was really glad for all that musical education I had. It meant I didn't have to start at ground zero, although there were elements I had forgotten that had to be refreshed. And straightaway I could have an intelligent conversation with my teacher. I have learned fiddle music from sheet music and by ear..... if I learn something from sheet music I inevitably change it up to where it matches what I'm hearing in my head.

It's true that sheet music cannot always adequately notate what's going on in the piece..... but the framework is there and can certainly be helpful.

Mister, on the other hand, is strictly an ear- player and this has caused discord (no pun intended) between us on different occasions. He does know different keys, and what to call the chords in those keys. This is easy when we're dealing with songs that have words, but trickier when it's just a tune. He can read a chart, though, so sometimes we go that route.

I think a combination of both works out pretty well. It all depends on what it is you want to do.