Have you needed the ability to read?

Lorenzini · #1 12-04-2010, 04:43 PM

Have you needed the ability to read?

Have you not?

Why?

I'm interested!

Thanks!!!

Rockmusician · #2 12-04-2010, 04:51 PM

Never needed it. By the way, most professional rock musicians do not read.

jmjbassplayer · #3 12-04-2010, 05:31 PM

Yes I have needed the ability. I do film and tv dates. There's lots of reading. My reading seems to improve every time I do it, but I'm still struggling sometimes.

If it wasn't for the film and tv stuff, there would probably be little need for me beyond chord charts.

JMJ

Lorenzini · #4 12-04-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

Yes I have needed the ability. I do film and tv dates. There's lots of reading. My reading seems to improve every time I do it, but I'm still struggling sometimes.

If it wasn't for the film and tv stuff, there would probably be little need for me beyond chord charts.

JMJ

Thanks for the input, Justin! I find myself reading all the time, because I do a lot of score-playing and that's simply where it's at.

JimmyM · #5 12-04-2010, 11:28 PM

hey, look at you go! i remember when you first came on here a couple years ago and said how you wanted to get your reading chops back together so you could do those sessions, and there you go. those bass clarinet days paid off.

kids, let this be a lesson...you can read music and still rock balls!

Top_Ten · #6 12-04-2010, 11:54 PM

I played for many years without knowing how to read -- made records, went on tours, etc. Not knowing how to read was never an issue -- nobody I played with knew how to read.

In the last year or so, though, I started taking lessons and learning to read. It really does open up a whole new world. You can certainly do a lot without knowing how to read, and only folks who aspire to certain kinds of gigs really need to know. But learning to read definitely expands your horizons as a player even if you don't really need that skill for the gigs you do.

Chris K · #7 12-05-2010, 12:00 AM

Time for a change of signature... kudos to Jimmy.

JimmyM · #8 12-05-2010, 01:04 AM

thanks chris, that cheers me up a little after my b-15n stack took a header on the way out of my gig tonight. all that happened was a small gouge in the back of one of the cabs so i got lucky, but man, when you watch it fall, it happens in slow motion so you can appreciate every millisecond of terror.

C.Linton · #9 12-05-2010, 08:54 AM

Never needed it, but that's probably why I can only do it a very basic level, and very slowly at that, I've never had a reason to practice it and improve.. And I still have trouble figurin gout rhythms. I've been thinking of getting ED Friedland's 3-part course to brush up on both my reading (just for fun!) and playing skills.

Chris K · #10 12-05-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

thanks chris, that cheers me up a little after my b-15n stack took a header on the way out of my gig tonight. all that happened was a small gouge in the back of one of the cabs so i got lucky, but man, when you watch it fall, it happens in slow motion so you can appreciate every millisecond of terror.

I once saw my precious Selmer alto sax drop the road surface after I didn't zip up my gig bag properly... it's like a video in your head playing over and over again

.

Maybe you should buy a Line 6. They are OK to smack 'm down on purpose

christoph h. · #11 12-05-2010, 03:42 PM

Well, yesterday I got a call: "Can you be here in 90 minutes and sub for our bassist?"

I didn't have time to prepare anything and heard the songs for the first time as I performed them on stage with people I had never met before, sightreading written out basslines. It was a festival thing with 5 different bands, so there was no time to rehearse things at soundcheck.

Without being able to read I would not have been able to take that job.

In the end, everyone benefitted: They didn't have to cancel the gig and I not only earned some money but also some invaluable experience - it was my first "last minute" gig.

JimmyM · #12 12-05-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christoph h.

Well, yesterday I got a call: "Can you be here in 90 minutes and sub for our bassist?"

I didn't have time to prepare anything and heard the songs for the first time as I performed them on stage with people I had never met before, sightreading written out basslines. It was a festival thing with 5 different bands, so there was no time to rehearse things at soundcheck.

Without being able to read I would not have been able to take that job.

In the end, everyone benefitted: They didn't have to cancel the gig and I not only earned some money but also some invaluable experience - it was my first "last minute" gig.

right on! and now you'll be known as the guy who can handle a last minute call, and when someone calls that bandleader looking for someone who can hang, he'll give them your number. that's how it works.