Originally posted by I_am_the_smartest
actually, i read this article on guitar world and in guitar legends that anyone can achieve perfect pitch by buying like 5 cds for like $160. it looks like a big scam! but, exactly how do you find out what key a song is in if you don't even know what notes are in the song? also, how long does it take people to memorize the notes on the fretboard 1-12? and why is it so important that people are able to sightread on the guitar instead of reading from tab?

Finding out the key of the song is possible without knowing the notes, but it's easier to guess the mode... for example , sad sounds are usualy minor modes , happy & joyful songs are in major modes, eastern sounds are usualy a harmoinc minor mode or an exotic scale... being able to determine a specific mode comes with experience with that mode.

what do you mean by momerizing the notes on freatboard 1-12? memorizing them to be able to name them when you just hear them?
well, if you can name the high 'e-string' note for example, you can't be so sure it was played on open e-string, since it could be also played on every other string including the low E-string on 24th frett (in case you have 24 fretts).

anyway, you should try to develop yourself to be able to figure out any notes and play them on guitar when you hear them on a record ot so... it may take more or less time depending on the tempo,technics used, and of course your level.

also, being able to sightread on guitar instead of reading tabs or standard notation is very cool, cuz you gotta learn how to depend on yourself... sometimes you may not find tab/note for a specific song that you realy need... what are you gonna do then, suicide?