Sight Reading vs. Ear Training: Can You Still Take Lessons If You Don’t Read Music?
Step by step guide to sight reading and ear training methods that boost progress
Rose Park
updated 10/22/25 • 4 min read
Both sight reading and ear training are big parts of learning music, and lots of students wonder if they really need both or if they should start with just one. The truth is that it depends on your goals and the instrument you play.
Let’s dive in and discover which skill fits your learning style, and how your music lessons can help you grow both over time for real, confident musical progress.
The Difference Between Sight Reading and Ear Training
Sight reading is a music reading skill that allows you to briefly look at a piece of music and play it by reading without prior practice or preparation. You will look at the notes, harmonies, dynamics, rhythms and other markings and play along as you read. The advantage of sight reading is that you can learn new pieces faster and easily expand your repertoire.
Ear training develops your ability to listen to a melody or harmony and picture in your head how it would look written down, without seeing the actual sheet music. With this skill, you can then play what you heard right away on your instrument. Ear training is an essential skill to have in Jazz, Pop, and other contemporary music genres.
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Sight Reading vs Ear Training: Finding the Best Fit for You
Let’s say you are a complete beginner to piano and interested in classical music. In this scenario, we recommend you to develop sight reading first with solid music theory foundation for at least a year or two. Once you get to a skill where you can comfortably play the right and left hand without making big reading mistakes, start putting some time into learning how to do ear training or ask the instructor the good way to approach.
For musicians who are interested in learning contemporary genres such as Pop or Gospel, we suggest learning music theory and sight-reading first. For example, if you’re a singer aiming to learn an R&B song, focus primarily on singing with proper posture and techniques alongside basic music theory.
If you are new to an instrument, building strong sight reading skills early on is important. Guitar players can usually shift to more ear based learning sooner because of the instrument’s flexibility. For piano, violin, or flute, spending the first year or two developing solid sight reading through regular lessons will give you a much stronger musical foundation.
Can I Still Take Music Lessons Without Reading Skills?
Absolutely! You can take music lessons even if reading sheet music isn’t your thing. A good instructor will get to know your skills and give you simple music, basic theory, and exercises that match your age, goals, and level.
Lessons will focus on practical playing first. With patient, step by step guidance, you’ll build a solid musical foundation that later supports both sight reading and ear training.
Just remember, relying on only one skill isn’t ideal. Growing both your reading and listening skills will help you learn music faster and become a more confident, well rounded musician.
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What’s The Best Way To Improve Sight Reading?
Play unfamiliar pieces
Review your sight-reading session
Take a moment to review your sight-reading session. After you’re done practicing, ask yourself a couple of questions to reflect on how you did.
- Did I keep the tempo steady throughout the music?
- Did I misread any notes or rhythms?
- Was I feeling hesitant in the middle of a measure or a phrase? Where did I feel hesitant?
- Did I stop anywhere? Why did I stop?
- How well did I play in the challenging sections?
- What can I do better next time? How can I improve the problems and minimize the similar mistakes?
What’s The Best Way To Improve Ear Training?
Recognize Intervals
Choose a short, easy song you enjoy
Common Questions by Instrument
Piano
How can I play piano at church if I don’t sight read?
Singing
Do I need to be able to read music to take singing lessons?
Guitar
Can I learn guitar even if I don’t read music?
You don’t need to read music to play guitar, but training your ears will help you learn much faster. Listen to chords, riffs, and short solos, then try to copy them on your guitar. The more you play by ear, the better you’ll recognize patterns and sounds.
Reading music can still be useful, though. Start with simple riffs and find the notes on your fretboard. There are lots of easy books and exercises that make reading feel less intimidating. Stay patient, practice regularly, and consider working with one of our guitar teachers to build both your ear and reading skills over time.
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.