is being able to read music a must?

[60's Bluesman]

some guitar players and drummers i jam with from time to time say that while its helpful to learn to read sheet music its not a must with the bass and that you can get by with tabs just fine. i honestly have no clue to read music beyond tabs and i doubt i can learn. is that gonna limit me musicaly for the rest of my career?

[Gord_oh]

not necessarily limit you if you dont learn, but expand your knowledge if you do learn.
i was in band for several years, played tuba in HS, so i can read music. (at least what i can remember.)

it has helped me apply to bass, since i was self taught.
there are things sheet music can do that tabs cant...
its more detailed IMO

[Billnc]

Is being able to read English a must? No, but look how much you miss if you can't.

[Nashrakh]

It's not a must, but it helps.

Actually, I think understanding (the basics of) music theory is more practical and helps you more than being able to read (although reading opens up more possibilities of "source material").

I know how to read, but I NEVER had to make use of that in a band environment yet. Being able to communicate your musical ideas, now that is something we use every time (and not on the "e string, 3rd fret" level).

[odin70]

Its a must if you are doing reading jobs. Even if you dont, it is very helpfull. Its also easy to learn. What is your reason not to learn to read music when you play an instrument?

[kraigo]

No. I don't read and I think you can get a lot done without learning how to read. It depends on your goals. You are closing off a lot of options for yourself both in terms of employment opportunities (the more lucrative ones) and learning opportunities by not learning to read. If you have the time and resources, I'd recommend you learn to read. It's not that difficult (I do know how it all fits together, I can figure out what it means, just not in "real time") and it gives you more options.

Bassists and drummers are generally at the mercy of finding a band for any kind of playing opportunities. Being a reading bassist opens up your available options immensely. I'd say that most bassists don't read, so you will move _WAY_ up in potential employers' "bassists to call" list if you can read.

KO

P.S. As far as learning opportunities, learning Bach on bass will open your ears up to a lot of interesting options that you might not have picked up in other ways. Bach was a genius of using the bass. Well, Bach was a genius.

P.P.S. Many of the books for pop music are so incorrect that it's very laughable, BTW.

[oggdawg]

I don't think sight-reading is a must, but, in my opinion, the ability to understand basic music theory is, and understanding the basics of written music is a component of that. Why do you doubt you could learn how to read music? It's really not that complicated.

[Toastfuzz]

As sum wun hoo kant reed sheet moosik OR englesh, let mee say....no

[dvh]

I don't read notes but what works for me to this point: a foundation and constantly growing understanding of theory and being able to read a chart well enough to know how to apply that knowledge to the chords printed above the bars...

If you're only ever going to play top 40 and/or classic rock you probably don't need to worry about it...

[60's Bluesman]

well odin i dont have a reason really but i was in band in elementary school n the teacher did more complaining about her love life then teaching us about music that was when i was 9 and i didnt even pick up a instrument agian til i was 16 and that happened to be a fender bass so here we are now. i missed out on alot.......

[electracoyote]

I went 30 years without reading standard notation. I have a sharp ear. Had a lot of success along the way. Then I took formal piano for about 3 years straight. Learned the bass and treble clef. Learned some theory.

Let me put it this way: It didn't hurt my overall musicianship one bit. And it has come in very handy.

Knowledge is power. Never turn your back on a learning opportunity, especially when it can make you better at what you do.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by 60's Bluesman

well odin i dont have a reason really but i was in band in elementary school n the teacher did more complaining about her love life then teaching us about music that was when i was 9 and i didnt even pick up a instrument agian til i was 16 and that happened to be a fender bass so here we are now. i missed out on alot.......

I would like to see that teacher Start with something relatively easy, like the two part inventions by Bach. All bassist love Bach..and for a good reason.

Personally..i can not imagine myself not being able to read. I use it in some way or another all the time.

[JimmyM]

i learned how to read before i picked up on guitar and bass, and i would have never been able to play if not for it. true, many players don't know how to read and can still play well, but they are way in the minority. most people who can't read buy an instrument only to get frustrated and stick it under their beds or sell it after a short time.

i've met many non-readers who wished they read. never met a reader who wished he didn't. it ain't brain surgery.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i learned how to read before i picked up on guitar and bass, and i would have never been able to play if not for it. true, many players don't know how to read and can still play well, but they are way in the minority. most people who can't read buy an instrument only to get frustrated and stick it under their beds or sell it after a short time.

i've met many non-readers who wished they read. never met a reader who wished he didn't. it ain't brain surgery.

In the nicest possible way, this is a load of BS.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by afromoose

In the nicest possible way, this is a load of BS.

oh goody! so how will you prove it's bs, moosey? will you tell me how you know a guy who plays his ass off and can't read? will you tell me that you know someone who actually regrets learning how to read music? or are you arguing that it IS, indeed, brain surgery?

come on, let me have it. but just remember, for every one person you name off who plays great and can't read, i can name a hundred people who never got the hang of it because they never learned to read.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

oh goody! so how will you prove it's bs, moosey? will you tell me how you know a guy who plays his ass off and can't read? will you tell me that you know someone who actually regrets learning how to read music? or are you arguing that it IS, indeed, brain surgery?

come on, let me have it. but just remember, for every one person you name off who plays great and can't read, i can name a hundred people who never got the hang of it because they never learned to read.

I don't want to prove it Jimmy, you're just full of ****

[Mr_Sore_Fingerz]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I went 30 years without reading standard notation. I have a sharp ear. Had a lot of success along the way. Then I took formal piano for about 3 years straight. Learned the bass and treble clef. Learned some theory.

Let me put it this way: It didn't hurt my overall musicianship one bit. And it has come in very handy.

Knowledge is power. Never turn your back on a learning opportunity, especially when it can make you better at what you do.

+ 1

To OP: Many of us get by fine and actually learn a lot of the musical concepts that are VITAL to playing bass successfully without actually learning to read music or reading music in the process. It DOES help you understand some of the concepts better (and shows you timing) but tabs are way more plentiful on the web (and free, usually) so I don't think there's anything crippling about not being able to read music.

Developing an ear is FAR more important IMHO, because in band or studio situations...there isn't going to be a tab or bass clef sheet all the time. Whatever works best for you...it's really not hard to pick up on, just not something to lose sleep over =/

[JimmyM]

you win again, moosey! rod roddy, tell him what he's won!

oh wait, sorry, rod roddy can't tell you. rod roddy died 6 years ago!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Originally Posted by JimmyM

you win again, moosey! rod roddy, tell him what he's won!

oh wait, sorry, rod roddy can't tell you. rod roddy died 6 years ago!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Prick

[JimmyM]