Chances are You're not that Special!

[Dr. Cheese]

I've been taking lessons again since May, and I am about to start working out of the book, Patterns for Jazz. This means I have to really confront reading, one of my weak points.

All I can say to newbies is do not be seduced by the stories of bassists like Pino Pallidino and Andrew Gouche, who have had great careers despite not reading. Trust me, you are probably not that good. Learn to read!

 

[bholder]

I'm definitely not that good, but I'm still special in my own special way.

 

[onda'bass]

Reading only makes you better.

 

[Icemanaroonie]

I've got plenty of participation trophies to tell me I'm special, thank you very much.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

I know how to read...both music and literature.... Does that makes me special?

 

[Spin Doctor]

 

[fjadams]

I've been taking lessons again since May, and I am about to start working out of the book, Patterns for Jazz. This means I have to really confront reading, one of my weak points.

All I can say to newbies is do not be seduced by the stories of bassists like Pino Pallidino and Andrew Gouche, who have had great careers despite not reading. Trust me, you are probably not that good. Learn to read!

Oh yeah? When I was young I was so special that a few other kids and I had our own little short bus to take us places.

 

[lowsideonacurve]

I may not be that special, but I have special friends

 

[Fretless1!]

I've lost out on some good gigs because I couldn't read. It wasn't that it was too complicated for me to play, I just couldn't read.

 

[old spice]

I agree with the OP. Moreover, there's "reading" and "sight reading."
Sight reading means playing it correctly at first glance. This is $ in the bank.
Not that I can do it. I do the first kind of reading, hacking my way through the 1st time.

 

[gln1955]

Hey, I'm Special. Just like everybody else.

 

[Helix]

 

[Sgt. Rock]

I've been taking lessons again since May, and I am about to start working out of the book, Patterns for Jazz. This means I have to really confront reading, one of my weak points.

All I can say to newbies is do not be seduced by the stories of bassists like Pino Pallidino and Andrew Gouche, who have had great careers despite not reading. Trust me, you are probably not that good. Learn to read!

Good for you, man. That's awesome.

I learned to read in school. It has helped me to quickly learn multiple instruments on my own, and despite populat opinion, is an *essential* skill for anyone who wants to make a living playing music.

It really is t that hard and shouldn't be intimidating. It just takes work. The reward is worth it.

 

[Spin Doctor]

I am about to start working out of the book, Patterns for Jazz. This means I have to really confront reading, one of my weak points.

Not to be contrary, but I don't look at Patters for Jazz as being such a useful deal for reading. At least, I've never thought of it that way.

It's a bunch of patterns, so ideally, you are supposed to internalize them until they just start showing up in your playing. If you are sight reading them and moving on, then chances are, you are not spending nearly enough time on them. But, I guess whatever approach you want to use will work.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Good for you, man. That's awesome.

I learned to read in school. It has helped me to quickly learn multiple instruments on my own, and despite populat opinion, is an *essential* skill for anyone who wants to make a living playing music.

It really is t that hard and shouldn't be intimidating. It just takes work. The reward is worth it.

Taking lessons and getting my theory, reading, and technique, together is just me focusing on being the best I can be. My bass situation has been sorted out with my DJ5, and I want to upgrade my playing beyond where it has been for a very long time. I was tired of getting on YouTube and seeing kids thirty years younger than me outplaying me.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Not to be contrary, but I don't look at Patters for Jazz as being such a useful deal for reading. At least, I've never thought of it that way.

It's a bunch of patterns, so ideally, you are supposed to internalize them until they just start showing up in your playing. If you are sight reading them and moving on, then chances are, you are not spending nearly enough time on them. But, I guess whatever approach you want to use will work.

Yes, I have memorized stuff pretty quickly. Right now, my main focus is really getting the middle part of the fingerboard down, and being able to transpose all scales and modes into different keys.

 

[friendlybass]

Eh, to each their own. Reading is both over and underrated. Its always worth it to learn stuff, learning is never not good. At the same time not learning to read is not harmful to your playing, career, or potential as a player.
I can read, but play in no situations where I need it, so while if I need it I have it, I'm also a totally functioning musician without it

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

My mom says i am special.

 

[hondo4life]

It seems I am the only one in my band who can read music. It is frustrating at times. I will show up with a new song all written and each part printed out with both musical notation and tab, but they won't even try it. I don't get it, and I just about don't care anymore.

 

[rtslinger]

I've been taking lessons again since May, and I am about to start working out of the book, Patterns for Jazz. This means I have to really confront reading, one of my weak points.

All I can say to newbies is do not be seduced by the stories of bassists like Pino Pallidino and Andrew Gouche, who have had great careers despite not reading. Trust me, you are probably not that good. Learn to read!

Dr. I sight read what do I win?