Poll: Do you read standard notation?

Herman · #1 02-06-2006, 05:40 PM

Just curious what percentage of TBers read standard notation and at what level of proficiency?

westland · #2 02-06-2006, 05:43 PM

I do... I want to play bass music from a pianists perspective. I think you are going to have significant problems with harmony if you rely on tabulature

Lowtonejoe · #3 02-06-2006, 05:52 PM

Right now I can't sight read worth beans but if you give me enough time I can tell you what the notes are.

But by this time next year I will, hopefully, actually be able to sight read easy stuff.

The current group I am playing with has been very educational for me.

Joe.

paintballjunkie · #4 02-06-2006, 06:20 PM

i read. i can sight read simple stuff ok, but I have to slow it down with harder stuff.

skewh · #5 02-06-2006, 06:20 PM

I read standard notation because that's the only way to write music (at least, I would never compose something in TAB).

seanm · #6 02-06-2006, 06:34 PM

I didn't know how to answer this. My reading is very rusty, but I used to read very well and was surprised at how well I can still read music. However, I can only read treble clef. I assume there is an implicit assumption that it is bass clef.

So I picked, yes but not very well. Since I understand the fundamentals and obviously know that the notation (except some string specific notation) means I can stumble along. But if you put some music in front of me at a gig I would be in real trouble.

I only use tab and/or some sort of chord notation for bass. Still the hardest part for me is knowing where to play, not the actual notes. I tab alot of songs I worked out just to see where I played it. Or I just need a chord outline. When gigging I never have any sort of notation, although quite a few of the singers have the words and chords.

Manitou · #7 02-06-2006, 07:11 PM

I'm getting better at it. I started playing with the brass ensemble at church and it's really helping me with my reading. I was like a functional illiterate when I joined up - it was really painful because I'd have to take stuff home and really pick it apart, but now that I've been with 'em for a few months, I've noticed it getting easier (guess that's true with anything - the more you practice the better you get).

ryco · #8 02-06-2006, 07:23 PM

Used to sight read bass clef very well when I was reading everyday back in school.

Now I don't sight read all that well. Rarely need to outside the practice room. Use it or lose it.

Keep telling myself I'm gonna learn treble. Shya zif! O those intentions!

agreatheight · #9 02-06-2006, 07:41 PM

I read simple stuff well, but the harder stuff is a bit of trouble lol, but at least I can still do it!

justBrian · #10 02-06-2006, 08:37 PM

I find that I always sightread better the second time through.

Joe Gress · #11 02-06-2006, 08:45 PM

Well I started out with Dr. Suess and that kind of stuff but I have moved on to chapter books and the like

.

Just kidding. I find it somewhat easier to read standard notation than it is to read tabs.

Smallmouth_Bass · #12 02-06-2006, 08:49 PM

I can read, but it depends on the difficulty of the rhythms and the notes on how well. When you start getting into ledger lines above F (two lines above the staff), it starts to degrade pretty quickly. Syncopated lines might take a couple of read throughs but I can hold my own. I write and read both in standard notation and I am not a fan of TAB; I find it distracting.

**Pacman** · #13 02-06-2006, 09:07 PM

I read music better than I read english, really.

By the way, this has been done before..

NecroticImbecil · #14 02-06-2006, 09:48 PM

i cant reed, i r illegitimate.

Jazzin' · #15 02-06-2006, 09:50 PM

I like reading chords rather than basslines, but if it's an N.C., I usually dont have a problem.

tbone0813 · #16 02-07-2006, 05:59 AM

I can only read bass clef, and only if it's in C, F, or G, and only if I have time to practice it. Anything else I essentially end up memorizing the song before I really get it......So maybe I don't actually read standard notation, but just play through the song until I memorize it.

MikeyFingers · #17 02-07-2006, 07:31 AM

I can read music OK, but I use tabs primarily. I used to take piano lessons, so I can sight read that if I go slow.
As for bass, I can figure out a piece of music using only notation, but it takes me a while.

fenderx55 · #18 02-07-2006, 08:19 AM

I can sight read treble really easily, bass cleff is getting there, though my reading on bass is kind of shakey. I used to be primarily a wind player, so that's just what comes easily.

basspunk2005 · #19 02-07-2006, 08:27 AM

I have to sight read at university so I am sight reading thigns every week, If someone was to put some music in front of me , depending on its level i could either play it or take about 10 mins to be able to roughly play it. Seen as though I have only been sight reading properly not even a year I think I am doing very well

Edwcdc · #20 02-07-2006, 08:35 AM

I can't read a lick. I really would like to learn.
I read a little in high school but I started a late.
In my senior year the band director asked me to transfer to his class because he needed more low end in the orchestra. I told him that I couldn't read but he didn't care. He told me to listen to what the other guys were doing and learn by ear. There was a lot of whole notes so some of it was easy to follow. I was in his music theory class as well but we never did much because he was so busy with the band stuff. I did manage to score a Beatles song for the orchestra but I can't remember much about it and I probably had help.

Like I said, I wouldn't mind learning to read at least bass clef again?