Re: The Who Mailing List Digest V4 #44

["J. Thomas Ranken" <access@halcyon.com>]

> 
> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 08:31:09 -0500 (EST)
> From: Eric Stanley <otter@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
> Subject: Music Literacy
> 
> A while back we had the discussion on whether or not the members
> of the Who knew how to read music or not.  And if they couldn't
> (especially Pete), what the hell was the music stand being used
> for on the Quadrophenia tour.  
> 
> My sources tell me, that the only member of the Who who can read
> music is John Entwistle.  Which is understandable since he was
> forced to learn the French Horn and the Piano when he was a young
> boy.  None of the other members know how to read music.  
> 
> However, just becuase they cannot read music, does not mean that
> they cannot read Guitar Tabs.  Which may explain why Pete was 
> seen flipping pages during some of the longer sets during Quad.
> My understanding is that it's possible to read Guitar Tabs without
> knowing what Middle C looks like on a Scale.
> 
> That's just me though... discuss.
> 
> EMS
>
You are correct.  As a guitar player and former piano and trumpet player (
who had to read to take lessons), I can tell you that it is not neccessary
to read to play a pretty mean guitar.  Guitar tabs are real helpful,
though.

JTR