I'm a guitarist, so of course everyone expects I can't read music.

Thankfully, that's only partially true.

Though not the greatest reader, I can usually just about get by...

What surprises me is how much money you can make from these gigs. I spend most of my life practising reasonably complex music. When I get to play it live, I often get paid a pittance.

Most of the reading gigs I've done recently have not only included paid rehearsals, but have been really well paid considering how simple the music is, and the fact that after a rehearsal or two you know it inside out anyway.

So, my advice is... learn to read!