I'm one of those who use a combination of poor reading skills and moderate ear skills. I can do either by itself, but the combination works best for me. I can play pretty much anything once I learn/memorize it.

I often say that reading music is like reading a map. It will tell you generally how to get where you're going, but when you're actually behind the wheel it's best to have your eyes on the road. For lots of folk music, notation simply cannot tell you how to play it, only what the notes are (or might be). When I play with other people, I find it very useful and efficient if they can read music, but absolutely necessary that they know how the music should sound. Think about an Irish reel played strictly according to the notation. Doesn't work.

John