throughout my career as a drummer, both as a player and educator, I have often encounterd a discussion of "playin' by ear" vs "reading music" and often it is implied that one is better than the other. here is my thought's on the issue and what I tell my students when it comes to this.
music, and that includes playin' the drums, is just like a language, a means of communication. you don't go through live successfully just speaking a language and not being able writing or reading it or reading a language but not speaking it. you wind up with a lot of closed doors. you don't speak a language less colorful just because you also write and read it, on the contrary. being able to move back and forth between speaking a language and writing and reading it, compliments each other, making you a more versataile person. and most importantly it makes it easier to comunicate your ideas.
well with drumming it's the same thing. in order to be accomplished musician you need to be able to play by ear as well as being able to write and read (drum) music. there are many sitiuations out there that call for either one of the skill. I know many drummers that got left behind because they couldn't read. being able to play by ear is a great and neccasary skill, so is reading. there is so much information out there that help you become a better player that is conveyd in written form. not withstanding all the gigs you won't get because you can't read. so my advice to everybody that plays: "don't sell yourself short" work on both skills you'll need it to be succesfull. plus you will enjoy playing even more!! beleive me. One Love Henning!