Should we learn by reading notes or playing by ear?

[jasontan10]

If you are given the choice to learn a song, would you do it by reading notes or by ear? Which one is a better "ideal learning tool?"

I just recently started learning to play the Double Bass where all the etudes and pieces are learned by reading notes. Also just recently I have started to depend less on tabs (finally!) and just learn by ear. Both are hard for me to do, but I've been practicing hopefully properly. However, when it comes to a really hard song, I don't know whether I should spend most of my time and effort into picking it up by ear or learning by notes. The latter seems to work for me in learning the Double Bass, but the former sounds to me the most ideal learning tool.

In all honesty though, I also feel like reading notes instead of learning by ear is my bail out for having poor listening skills, but a lot of people learn by reading notes right?

[Mirios]

Well if you want my opinion on this matter all I can say is....both.

I learned to play almost strictly from reading being from a jazz/classical background. My ears were horrible for years. I started doing a cover band right out of highschool. The guitar player used a right handed strung guitar left handed. No cheating to see what he was playing by looking at him. I had to develop my ears and do it fast.

Now when I practice I learn stuff by ear. Trying to transpose some Coltrane solos lately. I also still read large amounts of material each year. Both help my playing immensely.

[BigOldHarry]

Depends on the piece.

If I were tasked with a classical piece, I'd struggle through the sheet music. It has been my experience that if I haven't done this in a while, it's hard at first but it comes back to me pretty quickly.

Most of the time, for pop songs, I just do it by ear.

Jazz - It's very helpful to have a chord chart - some changes don't quite sound like what they are, so in order to avoid zany dissonant clammage, I like a good chart.

[Michael Case]

IMHO reading is as important a skill as playing by ear. You could spend your time reading classical etudes on the electric bass as well as the double bass then learn songs by ear. Bottom line is this, what skills do you want to have? What are your goals as a musician? If you want to play as much music as you can as a freelancer then you should be able to read and play by ear. I learned how to read early on, but didn't really need that skill until I was older. I've gotten many gigs through both my reading and listening abilities.

You need to find a compromise that works for you and your needs/goals as a player.

[Bassman1Seb]

Yeah, like you said, it's best to learn both although if I had to have either skill, I'd choose to be able to play anything by ear. Mostly cause when I play, it's jamming out with bro's, not reading notes...

[bassinplace]

I think that reading is an important and useful skill to have. I think becoming a good sightreader is time well spent. That said, if I had to choose between eyes or ears, I'd take ears. You won't always have notation in front of you, but you will always have your ears, which is what music is all about anyway.

[MalcolmAmos]

Playing by ear will take longer. So learn how to sight read and play from chord charts as you develop your ear.

Playing with standard notation you play by rote what others have written. Playing by ear you play what your ear is hearing - that's why I say it takes longer to develop the skill of playing by ear.

Playing from chord charts - fake chord or lead sheets - only takes a few months. Just long enough to understand a little theory and then put that to work compose your bass lines for the chords shown on the fake chord or lead sheet.

I did not list tabs. Tabs are OK to peak at for something specific, but, not really anything you should be considering long term.

Of course IMHO. Good luck.

[BassAsAHobby]

Both are equally important. Reading music is like a second language. When playing by ear, you can really expand your chops. I like taking melodies and learning them and then convert it in to a solo piece. Ex... learn HEY JUDE...very cool song to know...sounds real good on fretless.

[deeptubes]

Ditto. Both. I CAN read sheet music. But, nowhere near fast enough to rely on it. I suppose I should work on that. But, my ear is very strong. I can listen to a 4 minute song and have the bassline down before it ends, unless it's completely insane. They are both a skill. Don't you want to have strong skills? If you are strong on side and weak on the other, it's just that - a weakness. Guess I'll start diminishing my weakness.

[fdeck]

Everything depends on your goals, but I think that if you're making progress with reading, then you should take full advantage of the opportunity to master it. If one is easier for you than the other, then I suggest focusing on the one that is more difficult, and letting the one that is easier come along by itself.

Historically, classical teachers focused almost exclusively on reading and memorization of written charts. Most students developed the ability to play by ear, but there are a few adults who absolutely must have a chart in front of them. Today, teachers tend to teach reading and ear playing, side by side. My kids can both sight-read and play by ear.

Being a fluent sight reader has gotten me a lot of gigs.

[TomB]

I have to agree with the consensus, both skills are important if you want to maximize your playing opportunities. Which you emphasize more depends on the kind of music you wish to play. However, a good set of ears and the willingness to jump in without charts in front of you will help you survive most pickup gigs better than your reading skills, as often working bands' charts are unreliable at best, IME. If you'd like to work in a studio or theater setting, though, reading skills can be critical.

[Stumbo]

+1 for both.

When you learn a song from reading the music, try singing along with your part. Then sing it and play it without the chart. Try that for any song.

Even singing the melody of any song and playing it on your bass will help tune your ear.

Eventually, whatever you "hear" in your head you'll be able to play on your bass.

[C.Linton]

Primarily by chord charts and by ear. I never really sat down and learned proper reading skills, and my music theoery has some gaps. I more or less learned by jamming wth a buddy guitar player friend of mine over the years and playing long with records. I CAN read, but at a very basic level. I'm hoping to change this soon. I just recently picked up Hal Leonard's Bass Method (Complete edition) by Ed Friedland and hoping to fill in the gaps in my music theory and sight reading skills, by more or less starting from scratch. That way, I'll have more options when it comes to learning new material. Always a good thing, IMO.
(basically, if it wasn't clear, my answer to he OP would be - both)

[JimmyM]

why should you have to choose? they go hand in hand. the more you read and the more you learn to recognize the sound of what you're reading, the better your ear gets.

[C.Linton]

+1
That is exactly why I'm "starting over". So I can use both.