Even though I am a music-reading player and know my theory pretty well, life has taught me that there are many different types of players, vibe is everything, and elitism is a nowhere road. Just because I read music doesn't guarantee that I will create compelling music and that someone who doesn't read will not. Now, if you want to be a hot shit hired gun player who can handle any style on any gig, you might want to get your knowledge chops together, because the people you will be working with will either have them, too, or need you to have them. Even so, you have to play with vibe and feel, so humans can be moved. We are all here to change the energy in the room; how you do it is up to you. That's the art. That's the secret. 