sheet music vs chord chart

[jonesl78]

These days, it seems the need to read sheet music is becoming obsolete. Chord charts seem to be the standard. What are your thoughts?

[Casioman]

I think it depends on the situation. Numerous books of immense importance have been written using  standard notation format, and if you want to study any of them you will have to read music

[SketchMan3]

not obsolete. even pop music still has songbooks in standard notation. The artist of a popular song that came out recently was sued for having sheet music that looked like the sheet music for a marvin gaye song, lol.

[T-Block]

These days, it seems the need to read sheet music is becoming obsolete. Chord charts seem to be the standard. What are your thoughts?

Depends on your perspective of things. In the world as a whole, the need for reading sheet music will never be obsolete. However, in certain settings all you need is the chord chart and you can make it through the performance.

[romans 10:9]

Sheet music is chords but you are able to understand what is played and not in the same key with the beat as the change. I prefer sheet music. When you play professional to read sheet music is a requirement. When you watch or look at a performance they mostly have sheet music. It is good to know the chords to go along with it but reading is better.

I guess because I read from gospel to jazz to Beethoven

[jonesl78]

Sheet music is chords but you are able to understand what is played and not in the same key with the beat as the change. I prefer sheet music. When you play professional to read sheet music is a requirement. When you watch or look at a performance they mostly have sheet music. It is good to know the chords to go along with it but reading is better.

I guess because I read from gospel to jazz to Beethoven

The part in bold is what I had in mind when I started this thread. I'm very curious about the validity of that statement. If you are an educator. Absolutely required. I would be interested to hear from others who are required to read sheet music on regular basis for a gig without the assistance of a chord chart.   

[Super_Leslie3000]

When you play professional to read sheet music is a requirement.

I don't agree with this.

There are many professional settings and gigs that don't require the ability to read sheet music.

Sheet music is only required, if well, the gig/job requires the person to be able to read sheet music. 

I also disagree with the idea of sheet music becoming obsolete.  Songbooks in standard notation are still being released to this day. 

Whether chord charts or sheet music is preferred depends entirely on the requirements of the gig.

[jonesl78]

In your last 5 gigs, were you required to read?

[Super_Leslie3000]

No.  I wasn't required to read in my last 5 gigs.