Instructor’s Learning Tips What does it mean to learn songs by rote?

It basically means you are copying what I’m showing you in the video.  Even though you may not understand  any or only some of the notes on the staff, you can learn what keys to play.

You don’t have to know how to read the music but the music is there to guide you if you do know how to read a little and you will pick up some knowlege about note reading as I refer to the music.