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Can you read music? Do you think it important?
- Thread starter Aussie Player
- Start date
Saying that reading music will make you not "feel" the music as well is like saying that weightlifting makes you dumber.
You can say the note name ('C' I hope
), without reading from a stave. You're right though - I would get some pretty worried looks talking about my G-string, as I tune BEAD...I could sight-read violin when I was younger, and played in orchestras doing so, so it's not as if being able to read is some magical light I have never seen. And I am no-more anti-reading than I am anti-lawnmower or anti-alcohol, but I wouldn't recommend someone living in an apartment to buy a lawnmower, and I wouldn't bring a bottle to a Muslim friend's house (unless he was one of those 'it's OK, Allah isn't watching me in England' types.)
Yes, I've gone a bit rampant on this thread. But it's one of a thousand similar threads, and I am sick of the 'logic' that states that because being able to read music is useful and even essential for many, that making the effort to learn it is something that would be the right decision for everyone.
If you are 'pro-reading', you are wrong.
If you are 'anti-reading', you are wrong.
If you recognise that reading music is an ability that opens certain doors in return for a certain investment in time and effort, then you can make the decision that is right for you (or maybe your student).
I'll say it again - learning to read traditional music notation can obviously open many doors. But so can learning another instrument. Or learning to program a computer, so you can write your own effects and composition algorithms. Or learning one of the many alternative notation systems that have been invented. Or learning Tuvan throat singing. Or any of a thousand other things. If we all took the same path, life would be very boring indeed.
I used to be able to read bass and treble clef very proficiently, but haven't had anything to read for a number of years now and have likely lost some of my ability. That said, I'm willing to bet it's a lot like riding a bike in that you never really lose the ability, you just need to freshen up on it on occasion 
But we're talking about reading in this conversation. Anyway, suit yourself...but again, I have never seen anyone who reads music that feels there is a downside to it...even you.You can say the note name ('C' I hope
I could sight-read violin when I was younger, and played in orchestras doing so, so it's not as if being able to read is some magical light I have never seen. And I am no-more anti-reading than I am anti-lawnmower or anti-alcohol, but I wouldn't recommend someone living in an apartment to buy a lawnmower, and I wouldn't bring a bottle to a Muslim friend's house (unless he was one of those 'it's OK, Allah isn't watching me in England' types.)
Yes, I've gone a bit rampant on this thread. But it's one of a thousand similar threads, and I am sick of the 'logic' that states that because being able to read music is useful and even essential for many, that making the effort to learn it is something that would be the right decision for everyone.
If you are 'pro-reading', you are wrong.
If you are 'anti-reading', you are wrong.
If you recognise that reading music is an ability that opens certain doors in return for a certain investment in time and effort, then you can make the decision that is right for you (or maybe your student).
I'll say it again - learning to read traditional music notation can obviously open many doors. But so can learning another instrument. Or learning to program a computer, so you can wrote your own effects and composition algorithms. Or learning one of the many alternative notation systems that have been invented. Or learning Tuvan throat singing. Or any of a thousand other things. If we all took the same path, life would be very boring indeed.
Well, I think that he is saying that there is a downside in that the time invested in learning to read could be used more productively in another endeavor if the player isn't going to use the skill of reading.
But we are talking about whether reading is an important skill, not whether it is worth your time to learn how to read.
Reading will always be valuable whether you consider it worth your time or not. Reading does not become objectivley less valuable just because you won't use the skill or haven't time to learn it.
It's usefulness a skill to all musicians and its worth to an individual player are two different issues.
I know only two languages sadly. One of them is universal, music. I find it to be very important, many people mentioned the positives about reading music. When I prop up a sheet of music. There is nothing between me and those notes, its purely a musical conversation between me and the music. We are talking, is how I see it.
You know how there are some words, when asked to spell them on call, say outloud. You have to write out the word first, then spell it out. Or maybe a word may appear phonetically diff in your mind, but when you learn the pronunciations it comes out completely different. Thats how I see some situations in reading music. And I find it positive very much so.
You know how there are some words, when asked to spell them on call, say outloud. You have to write out the word first, then spell it out. Or maybe a word may appear phonetically diff in your mind, but when you learn the pronunciations it comes out completely different. Thats how I see some situations in reading music. And I find it positive very much so.
My posts were about worth to an individual player. The concept of the objective value of a skill might be a little high-minded for me!
If you would really want to learn it, you would find the time to do so.
What you say is : I put my priorities else where than in music. You have enough skill to play then why put more effort into it ?
Of course there are things in life other than music that eat up time... But beyond that, there are other things in music that i feel are more worth my attention at the moment. For example
- simplifying my RH techniques and transitioning to 3 fingers
- learning to sing and play a few songs (not easy : I'm a terrible singer!)
- sorting out an effects setup that's 'me'
- teaching a few friends a few basics on guitar
I would like to read, but right now I would like to do those things more.
You could easily learn to read while working on your RH and 3 finger. You read an exercise to work on your RH.
While teaching your friends a few basics on guitar ... why not showing them few reading basics. A perfect moment to learn alongside them.
The most important things: good ears and feel. Reading is a +!
I can read well and honestly, I don't care that much if the musicians I play with can read music or not, except if the gig require it.
I can read well and honestly, I don't care that much if the musicians I play with can read music or not, except if the gig require it.
It would take longer, and i really don't have the extra time. There's family things, work stuff, charity stuff, household stuff that I'm neglecting as it is.
I do have a book of McCartney transcriptions and another of Jamerson that I hope to crack open one day, but right now it would seeem sinfully self-indulgent as it wouldn't be of much immediate use in the band I'm in right now, where I do fine working from memory.
Yeah, that could be good. Would have to be the right person though. People I've tried showing a couple of things to before have really liked my super-distilled 'there's 12 notes - look, you can make different scales out of them, now let's jam!' approach.
I know the basics. I played tuna in band through middle and high school, and could do a mean sight read. But as far as bass goes, I'd have to re-learn notation and get back to being efficient. But it wouldn't take long if I just set my mind to it, and I would love to. I'm just so distracted these days..
Edit: tuba.. Not tuna. Though I left that in there for laughs
Edit: tuba.. Not tuna. Though I left that in there for laughs
WokenDeer said:I know the basics. I played tuna in band through middle and high school, and could do a mean sight read. But as far as bass goes, I'd have to re-learn notation and get back to being efficient. But it wouldn't take long if I just set my mind to it, and I would love to. I'm just so distracted these days..
Edit: tuba.. Not tuna. Though I left that in there for laughs
Yes, well the tuna is a different kettle of fish to the bass...
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
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- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
I can read music. I think it's a useful skill to have because it deepens your understanding of music. Tabs are fine, but IMO you don't learn the association between notes and phrasing as well as if you can sight-read.
Personally I haven't needed to use it in a band context, but I'm glad I know how.
Personally I haven't needed to use it in a band context, but I'm glad I know how.
