Why learn music?

[HaMMerHeD]

Laziness. And a sort of ignorant elitism.

Originally Posted by eddododo

Its alot like being illiterate.. Its not necessary to read to communicate, but I would say that the gorgeous subtleties of hemingways language would be lost on the illiterate..

The "gorgeous subtleties" of Hemingway are lost on more than a few literate people as well.

[4dog]

Color me lazy,, but have had steady gigs for 30+ years been in bad bands,, been in great bands,, flunked music theory in high school,, it just never held me back,, now im no studio musician and my choice in notes might be questionable at times but im ok with that,, my wife loves me ,,my kids love me and so does my dog,,, ignorant elitism notwithstanding,,, i know maaaany players who read well and have lots of theory and does em no good,,cause they dont play with anyone,, know why??,,, cause of our ignorant elitism,, ok,, i can live with that.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

If you are a professional, it's a requirement to have basic and advanced skills which include reading standard notation, theory and having good relative pitch.

I'm no sight reader but you make a good point.

I had a buddy audition for Martina McBride. He knew her material and show inside out.

He showed up for the audition and they gave him sheet music for a couple of Polkas, he couldn't read and failed the audition.

I doubt that will always happen but it can.

I don't site read but I can reads and follow the chords at the top of the sheet.

Blue

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[joebar]

the most practical reason to learn it is when i try to communicate with other musicians and they don`t know what i am talking about. they don`t speak the language and it has frustrated me beyond help.

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by fdeck

The only advice I would give about reading is this: If you are at an age where your brain is still wired for rapid learning, and somebody gives you a chance to learn how to sight read (such as joining the school jazz band or playing classical music), take it.

As someone who's 48 and is now trying to learn to read, I am living proof that what you said is the absolute truth. It's tough being an old dog trying to learn new tricks.

I'd say it's a safe bet that I'll never get sight reading gigs at this point. However, I'd still rather learn slowly than not at all. Hence the tag line I've been using for most of my time on TB - I know I suck, but at least I suck a little less than I did yesterday.

[dalahorse]

Originally Posted by 4dog

Color me lazy,, but have had steady gigs for 30+ years been in bad bands,, been in great bands,, flunked music theory in high school,, it just never held me back,, now im no studio musician and my choice in notes might be questionable at times but im ok with that,, my wife loves me ,,my kids love me and so does my dog,,, ignorant elitism notwithstanding,,, i know maaaany players who read well and have lots of theory and does em no good,,cause they dont play with anyone,, know why??,,, cause of our ignorant elitism,, ok,, i can live with that.

The ability to effectively communicate an idea based on a common science and notation is used every day. It can be difficult to understand for those who do not possess those skills. However, those skills can be learned by anyone who puts forth the effort.

It is difficult to discuss exposure and printing details with a photographer who does not understand the zone system. It is difficult to explain car trouble with someone who doesn't understand the basics of how an engine works. It is difficult to communicate a musical idea with a musician has no concept of theory and cannot read music.

[HaMMerHeD]

Originally Posted by 4dog

Color me lazy,, but have had steady gigs for 30+ years been in bad bands,, been in great bands,, flunked music theory in high school,, it just never held me back,, now im no studio musician and my choice in notes might be questionable at times but im ok with that,, my wife loves me ,,my kids love me and so does my dog,,, ignorant elitism notwithstanding,,, i know maaaany players who read well and have lots of theory and does em no good,,cause they dont play with anyone,, know why??,,, cause of our ignorant elitism,, ok,, i can live with that.

By ignorant elitism, I meant this.

I have worked with musicians who refused to learn how to read music. They felt that not knowing how to read has made them a better player because they "just feel the music, man". After much discussion, they revealed in unambiguous terms that they felt not knowing how to read music made them better musicians than me, solely because I knew how to read music.

That is ignorant elitism. I'm glad that you have had success in what you enjoy. You are not an example of what I was referring to.

[mellowinman]

I have never found the ability to read music to be an impediment to rocking. I have also never found the ability to read music necessary to rocking. Most bands that require any kind of reading use simple charts, not sheet music.

However, the ability to read music does broaden your abilities as a musician. You are better to able to understand the relationships of notes, regarding both pitch and timing, and for me, it enhances my ability to both communicate with other players, and enjoy music I play and listen to.

But some people are stubborn, and resist that with which they are unfamiliar. They don't know what they're missing, so they assume they aren't missing much.

They are wrong, but they will live.

[SquierJazz72]

Personally, I love learning it.

Is it always necessary? Maybe not.

But going back and improving my knowledge of theory has certainly helped me understand music better. I don't just play things anymore, I also have an understanding of what I am playing, and why, whether it's a cover song or something of my own.

Also sometimes helpful when reading guitar or bass publications. It really used to confuse the **** out of me when an article would turn theoretical and I would be totally lost , due to not understanding the language of music properly.

Improving my reading skills has taken me in different directions and I have picked up quite a bit from old music and song books that would have been useless to me before I could read them properly.

So I find many uses for it, and while I realize it's not always a necessity for everyone, I just don't buy the old "it'll ruin me as a musician" kind of line. Not at all.

[puddin tame]

I'm finding it far easier to learn to read now that i've been playing a long ass time than when I first got into it when I started out.

Now I just have to recognise the notes and timing. I don't have to work on my timing, I don't have to work out where the note is because I already know, and I don't have to worry about technique. I've made huge progress in about a month of effort

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

By ignorant elitism, I meant this.

I have worked with musicians who refused to learn how to read music. They felt that not knowing how to read has made them a better player because they "just feel the music, man". After much discussion, they revealed in unambiguous terms that they felt not knowing how to read music made them better musicians than me, solely because I knew how to read music.

That is ignorant elitism. I'm glad that you have had success in what you enjoy. You are not an example of what I was referring to.

I've noticed that players who don't know music tend to be very defensive about it. If someone can achieve their musical goals without learning anything about music, more power to them. However, when they try to elevate ignorance over knowledge, that's when I have to call BS. The only people I know who think that studying music is a waste of time are the ones who haven't studied it.

[Groove Doctor]

Originally Posted by Axtman

Why are "musicians" so resistant to learning music? I know many people that are involved with music in bands that can't read standard notation an don't know a thing about theory.

That depends on the Genre and the people you're around. For rock or blues you don't need to know much. Good feel, good timing, good memory are important.

It's fun teaching someone a flat 9 chord for the first time. It's NOT fun teaching them a chord inversion for the 50th time!!

[MrLenny1]

Some younger players say that it stifles their creativity.
Reading opens up a ton of info that will take you years to learn
on your own by ear.

[4dog]

I actually value the ability in others that can read music ,, its not that i cant read at all,, just not world class,, but i understand that it isnt totally one hundred percent the only way to fly ,, if your gonna make effective music ,, i would guarantee that a lot of what you readers listen to have more than one " winger" on the recording ,, and just by listening ,,, well ,,, you aint got a clue which player is less than stellar,,, i understand that to speed up learning songs for recording ,, developing a song,, or communicating to a LARGE group of musicians ,, its better but,,, cmon yall readers are the,, mighty few,, just stop trying to tell us loafers how mighty ya are ,,, please,, cause like it or not,, you are the minority,, just maybe not here in TB land. Lol

[4dog]

And its cool ,, not crying" angry" or being defensive" just know i loooove to play,, ive tried to quit and SHE always pulls me back . So no more quitting for me ,, ill loaf till im dead. So to speak lol

[bassbully]

Funny thing is when I have tried to corner a few musicians who are theory trained and read they always side step it and tell me not to worry about it and just keep on doing what I do cuz it's good

[wcnewby]

I think that not learning your notes is only easier for the person who doesn't do it.

Or,

Sweeping dirt under a rug is only easy for the person who does it. If you have to clean under the rugs, such people can be irritating.

Or

If someone else has to work harder because of your ignorance, it isn't fair... but life is mostly not fair... it is usually pretty consistent though.

[LiquidMidnight]

Some people operate on the assumption that learning the theory behind music will "kill their creativity."

That's not a bad philosophy to have, though, seeing as how, ya know, Salvadore Dali's creativity all but disappeared once he learned the theory behind mixing primary colors.

For the most part, it's an excuse to be lazy. I know a lot of naturally good musicians with little theory understanding. However, I've yet to meet a musician who wouldn't benefit somehow from learning more about the theory of music.

[bassbully]

This is a stupid thread..So if we don't learn to read or learn theory we are lazy? Please!

Making music all about the right notes and chords played together by a group of people or band. If you need theory to do it great! If not awesome too! As long as we can get there is all that matters and not for others to look down on those and how they got there.

[skychief]

Why Learn Music?

It opens so many doors (musically).

I was playing a gig at a funky little dive at the beach. The drummer from a well-known big band was there with some friends and liked my bass playing. He explained that his big band was auditioning for a bassist the following week and he would like me to audition. He said he could "pull some strings" for me with the BL.

Naturally I accepted the invitation. He handed me his card with the audition info and walked back to his table. After a few steps he turned around and said "oh, By the way...you DO read, right?"

At that time, I couldnt. And I told him so.

He took his card back and says "Sorry man, we cant use you."

Needless to say I had a music teacher and my first lesson lined up within a week of that gig.