I just read the replies to post.
The complete column Eddie published needs to be read to understand what Eddie was trying to say. He was just saying that it was important for the new player and instructor to realize the best way for that particular person to learn. It could be a combination of styles but one might be best for somebody with limited time and money for an instructor. Also if using an instructor it is important for them to find out what way is best for the student and be able to teach that way.

In my case I was a newspaper and commercial printer/typesetter at that time and visual was best along with listening to a cd of the tab. I would go to 5 plus jams a month, write down played songs and practice a lot. Visual could also include watching somebody's hands which definitely doesn't work for me other than seeing what chords are being played.  Now I have gotten better at backing a song up at a jam and playing a break of a new song when singer yells banjo for a break

Just trying to suggest a way to keep banjos from being stored in a closet and not played.

Phil

My music foundation began at home.
Dad played banjo,guitar,mandolin,lap steel and then pedal steel,piano and harmonica all by ear only.He was taught by his Mom and she lived next door to us.She played guitar (acoustic and electric),banjo,accordion and sang low alto in trios.

My Mom played and taught piano and could only play by sheet music which she read and played excellently with both hands and foot pedals.
She could open a new piece of music,maybe complain "Oh dear...four flats" and then play it all at speed 2 or 3 seconds later.Fine "sight reader".

Being surrounded by good musicians made music quite easy for me.
Dad used to give Mom a bit of a hard time for not being able to play by ear,but we also played a lot,together.
Mom's music books often had banjo and guitar chord diagrams in the right places over the staves and I sometimes looked over her shoulder to learn where the changes were in new numbers.

I so appreciated being surrounded by talented musicians.