Can you read music?

OriginalName · #1 02-21-2005, 03:52 PM

Yes, I can.

I have had a bass teacher since June (two months after I started playing). And after being able to read music, I realized that I hate tabs.

Lowtonejoe · #2 02-21-2005, 04:00 PM

No, all by ear.

Don't even know how to use a chart.

:-)

Joe.

ryuujin · #3 02-21-2005, 04:18 PM

I wish.

Petary791 · #4 02-21-2005, 04:21 PM

Well I can read music, I can read tabs, I can learn stuff by ear.

I supposedly have NEAR PERFECT PITCH!!!!!

Trust me, if you listen to every Metallica inside and out non-stop, you'll be able to hung an E and every note in the Em chord!

**Pacman** · #5 02-21-2005, 04:43 PM

Yes. And since this isn't technique related, I'm sending this off to General Instruction.

bass_man86 · #6 02-21-2005, 04:53 PM

I am sorry to say that I have never learned to read standard notation, although I would love to given the oppurtunity. I prefer to use chords charts whenever available, I will use tab only if I am not clear about a particular passage. All that being said, I have never seen a rock musician playing off of sheet music on stage!

gilbert46 · #7 02-21-2005, 05:07 PM

I can read music, but in treble cleft, not bass. I play alto sax as well. Atleast I think i can read music, I can play it, then listen to how it should be played and sulk in my failure

Minger · #8 02-21-2005, 05:15 PM

I can read alto clef, treble and bass I can kinda because of piano...but not when I'm playing...gotta reteach myself that...

Ben Rose · #9 02-21-2005, 05:28 PM

I read music and get alot of my gigs because I can (read). Now if my ears just didn't suck. Working on that, though.

Richard Lindsey · #10 02-21-2005, 06:18 PM

Yes, treble and bass clef. I don't use tab ever. I work either by ear or off charts (fully notated parts or lead sheets) as the situation requires.

Eli M. · #11 02-21-2005, 07:09 PM

I can read treble and bass clef very well. Although I can read alto clef because I have written for the viola, it isn't second nature like treble and bass.

The only "professional" musical experience I've had has been on the piano/keyboard (only twice, but hey, I'm just 19 years old

). One situation, required that I read an actual piano part (member of the orchestra for a musical). The other required learning from lead sheets and then memorizing (cocktail piano).

I can read bass notation, but I can't remember actually having to do it. I rarely, if ever, use tab.

Commreman · #12 02-21-2005, 08:18 PM

Yes. The only way to do it is to just do it - every day! It is a skill that will open new musical doors for you.

Planet Boulder · #13 02-21-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commreman

Yes. The only way to do it is to just do it - every day! It is a skill that will open new musical doors for you.

This is quite true. Practice it over and over.

I'd love to say that I can "sort of" read music (I've gotten lax so my reading skills really aren;t up to snuff), but i remember hearing Jaco say that you can't "sort of" read music. You either can read it or you can't.

paintandsk8 · #14 02-21-2005, 08:45 PM

I encourage every bass playey to learn to read music. I used to just use chords for worhip songs and stuff, but them my music reading progressed to the point where I just started using the written piano parts. My basslines improved greatly when I started doing this. Now I very much prefer written music. There's just so much that gets left behind in a tab or chord chart. Now, I hardly play whats written, but it is a great starting place and gives me tons of ideas.

werbo1 · #15 02-21-2005, 08:47 PM

Can i read it....yes

Can i read it well...i'm okay, i can get a song usualyl after 2 or three tries

zcwilkes · #16 02-21-2005, 08:56 PM

Yes I can. I was a music major in college and also play Tuba and Basson. (the basson not as well, I have't play it in 5 years)

slugworth · #17 02-21-2005, 09:31 PM

Growing up playing in school bands, I had to read standard notation on both clefs every day. Playing in a Jazz quintet,
I had to read charts from the "Real Book". Playing in Rock/top 40 bands, I just pick the bass lines off the records by ear.
I never learned tab.

Slug

Kurisu · #18 02-21-2005, 09:31 PM

In the Jaco sense of read music, no, I can't. But I'm working on it - both bass and treble (guitar). Treble is useful if you ever pick up Levine's Jazz Theory Book. Wow, a treasure of treble.

Plus, it's fun. Like a game. You see yourself progress everyday. I see others do this with driving or fighting games on the PS2.

reiver1 · #19 02-21-2005, 09:31 PM

Yes. I think it's a necessary skill

and it doesn't seem to get in the way of my playing

bass_man86 · #20 02-21-2005, 10:24 PM

Anyone of you guys know of any software available to learn to read sheet music? I am military and stationed overseas which brings some real challenges to getting together with an instructor. Please e-mail me. Thanks a bunch.