Can You Read Music?

[EtoG]

I'm deciding to make this poll for fun, I think the results will be interesting to look at. Just a simple yes or no type of thing.

My Response: Yes, I can read, and I use it with bass quite often. I also know a lot of guys that don't read who are great players.

Vote and discuss!

-EtoG

[wheelyjoe]

Yes, but you might wanna put an official poll thing up

[EtoG]

Originally Posted by wheelyjoe

Yes, but you might wanna put an official poll thing up

Wow, that was a quick response! I was in the middle of doing that!

[dvh]

Yes. But s-l-o-w-l-y. It will get better....

[waleross]

Yes, when I was first learning the String Bass, it was the only way to learn and study. There are no tabs for it. Tabs were used only for guitar and reading bass was and is necessary. Tabs for bass is helpful and I use it when needed. . . .

[vibhas_2310]

ok weird question. I can read the notes dead on. But reading rhythm is a problem . Any tips ??

[TwinBass]

I studied music in college, and got quite proficient in reading. However, it has been a few years so I'm a bit rusty. Just as a challenge to myself, I recently found a bass solo book full of standard notation and played through a few. I was able to get through it, but it took longer than I had originally hoped. I need to spit shine my skill, but I've still got it.

[Drifta]

I went ahead and put 'yes', although I'm really just in the process of learning how to read (weekly lessons).

[throughthefire]

I can read music, but I can only (at the moment) sight-read on the treble clef, because when I first learned to read, it was on classical-guitar. I've never *really* had the need to read the bass-clef - but I can if I have to (i.e, if there's money involved!<g>)

[EtoG]

Originally Posted by vibhas_2310

ok weird question. I can read the notes dead on. But reading rhythm is a problem . Any tips ??

Metronome, Metronome, Metronome!

There are free Metronomes online, or you can purchase one at any music store. Start slowly, and progressively increase your speed. It all comes with practice, time, and dedication. Best of luck!

-EtoG

[zachoff]

Wow, surprising results so far. I cannot read music and I have no formal training other than the occasional lookup to Wheat's Bass Book.

[J. Montgomery]

I've been reading music since before I could read. I started on piano at an early age.

[EtoG]

Originally Posted by zachoff

Wow, surprising results so far. I cannot read music and I have no formal training other than the occasional lookup to Wheat's Bass Book.

I'm a bit surprised as well. It doesn't bother me either way if people can or can't read music, but most bassists/guitarists I've ever played with could not. A lot of people carry the ability over from a background on a different instrument.

[N.F.A.]

I can read it, haltingly, in both treble and bass clef. However, it is a recently learned skill, so I voted yes. A year ago or so I would have had to vote no. I have played either guitar, bouzouki or bass for 15-20 years now.

[Valerus]

Yes. Although not as fast as I used to.

[Winnb]

Nope. Can't read a note. Tried once and thought it was incredibly boring.

[R. Laevinus]

Yes. I use it frequently to learn classical music, which I play for fun and practice.

But I've never had to use it for playing (original) rock, which is what I do with my bands, or for writing my own music.

[BrianS198]

Yup! Played a few instruments through high school where I was fortunate enough to be forced into learning to read music.

[Huge]

I can read music, but I don't use it very often, so i'm pretty slow now. When I was in my school's concert band, 17-18 years ago, I was a good reader.

I voted yes, but I'm really rusty.

[hdracer]

Yes but if you graded my music reading skills to regular reading I would be on about a 5th grade level.