What I object to is your advising others--beginners--that they should NOT.

I am not advising anybody to not read music. I learned to read music at 46, I do it all the time and it is one of the best things I ever did (though I still don't use it to learn any tunes I play). I AM saying that, specifically, beginners in diddley music are best advised to learn tunes by ear, by hearing them played by good musicians, to listen and interact as they play along, and to leave the tune books alone. For many reasons, clearly and carefully put to you in this thread by the likes of Jack, Michael, Peter and myself. All derived from long experience of playing this music with people of very varied abilities in and familiarity with Irish music. And Don, do cut the indignant crap about insults, eh. There is nothing more insulting than having what you've typed in plain English continually misrepresented. I've lost count of the times I've put you right on the point made in this post.