Why learn to read music?

This comes up repeatedly on drum forums of all types. Non-readers often have strong opinions supporting their non-reading ways. Readers look on in bafflement. 

I will make my case.

1. Reading makes everything easier.  Rehearsal time is precious and limited. 
2. You open an additional world of opportunity for a lifetime of music making with other musicians, groups, and genres. Otherwise you are kind of stuck in a narrowing corner. Which will get smaller as time progresses. The aural tradition has a diminishing  and distorted memory. I jam in classic rock bands; the play list is pretty small and shrinking by the day. Similar situation in the jazz scene. Every year the list of standards gets smaller and smaller.
3. Readers can play in more situations. I’ve collaborated over the years with expert drummers who can read. I never had to worry about them. BTW, they work all the time, tour, record, and teach. They are invited to make videos for Drumeo. 
4. Readers can easily explore the exotic corners of the drum world.  Readers engage the visual, the auditory, the analytic  and kinetic experience at the kit. The aural tradition has limitations.
   
5. Reading is not difficult. With an open mind and determination, it won’t take long. Becoming a good sight-reader will take practice. The rewards? You will be able to explore the hundreds of great drum books of the last century to start. You will become a better drummer.
6. The skills you have from playing by ear, will really set up apart when you add reading to your skill set. You will be unstoppable.

 
If you would like help to learn to read, call me.
 
David