I'm a little surprised that no one has touched upon the dots-vs-tabs conroversy (which probably applies only to the guitar and similar stringed instruments). I have learned a LOT of my instrumental skills/riffs/etc. from tablature, and have real admiration for those who were able to produce those tabs by listening to records; something I could never have done for myself. However, when I've promoted tablature on this forum in the past, I have usually prompted arguments from naysayers, both from the "by-ear-only" school and from the conventional-sheet-music contingent.

I've been singing in a choir lately and am learning to more-or-less sightread from the "dots." At first, I had to hear the piece played through at least once before I was able to use the sheet music, but now I'm starting to be able to get a sense of the tune from the page even before the organist starts to play.

So far, at least, I'm really only able to read the main melody, or "soprano" part, which I usually sing an octave below the true soprano part. Howver ~ even though I am often able to improvise a harmony part ~ I get hopelessly confused trying to sing a written tenor or bass part off the page.