Read or ear ? What do you prefer ?

[since197three]

I've always played by ear. It's how I taught myself to play and what I continue to do

 

[jackn1202]

I play in a high school jazz band, what I do is look at the chart for about ten minutes, play it as written a couple times to learn the chord progression, then never play it that way again unless coincidentally. It's just a guide to get me thinking creatively, then I let loose once I have ideas. That's what I do to rehearse for our concerts too, I play as written before, then go nuts (and completely different) during the gig.

 

[OogieWaWa]

I had 8 years of learning by reading as a youth, on an electric organ, quite a bit of theory, did a couple of bar gigs after high school and quit. But I did like playing the bass parts on the pedals (hmmmmm.....,) even though I faked that part based on the chords, never was able to read the darned bass scale!

Fast forward to age 50; went with a guitarist friend to a jam night, the bass player says here, play this. I say I can't; he says doesn't matter, it's 3 notes, I'll show you. Skip ahead four weeks, there I am at the jam night again with my "new" bass, I knew 3 songs . . . mostly.

Skip to now, age almost 62, retired and have been playing out in bands for 9 years, a couple hundred gigs or so, and am having a blast! Mostly by ear, sometimes using the chords (yes, half are wrong!,) and haven't read a note. But boy am I glad I had all that theory now, though!

Oh, And I've still got that old Wurlitzer I could get working again.... Maybe! (Actually I was thinking of getting a keyboard that I can split and play with the bass on the left side for some songs)

 

[Thumpin6string]

Ear and Youtube.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

I’m a slacker so I can’t read music but when I do play with chord charts I find it distracting from focusing on listening to the other players and watching them for ques so I feel like I play a lot better using my ears...

 

[cnltb]

I like a combination of reading and hearing.

 

[Groove Master]

I've noticed in the last many years that musicians aren't reading as much as they used to . When I was playing mostly horns (in the early 70s) it was much easier to learn a song with the music written out for you . Of course , then , I was doing stuff that required playing as written . But , since I've gone to bass full time , it seems to be a mostly ear thing . Now , it's nice to have a score handy for reference . But , I think you get better feel when you play by ear . It leaves you open to your own interpretations . And having a good drummer to work with makes it even better .

It should be both, period

 

[40Hz]

It’s good to have options.

I don’t mind the convenience of having a written score to look at. But I don’t depend on having one to
play something.

Bottom line: learn to read - but don’t neglect to train your ear as well. The bigger the selection of tools in your toolkit, the easier and more enjoyable the task.

 

[4001]

Ears.
I never learned how to read music.

 

[obimark]

I still don't get this debate at all- if you play rock/pop/country none of the actual bass parts are transcribed in standard notation. Typically there is a PVG (Piano Vocal Guitar) arrangement, which is typically not the actual bass part. It is a simplified left hand piano bass part. Usually not even in the right octave.

Your only option then is to learn them by ear or use internet tabs/video sites with tabs.

I don't recall ever seeing an actual written bass part as recorded in standard notation for popular rock/pop music. VERY rare.

So reading would only matter if you play Jazz and Showtunes (or you played with a group that writes out all the instrument parts (which is EVEN more rare)...

 

[Mili]

Both simultaneously.

 

[Morse_77]

I started playing by ear, then learned to read much later.

I feel that both are tools and you should be able to do both.

 

[carl h.]

I

I don't recall ever seeing an actual written bass part as recorded in standard notation for popular rock/pop music. VERY rare.

Chicago – Transcribed Scores Volume 1, Transcribed Score - Hal Leonard Online

The Beatles – Complete Scores, Transcribed Score - Hal Leonard Online

Pearl Jam Anthology – The Complete Scores, Transcribed Score - Hal Leonard Online

 

[carl h.]

Transcribed Score - Hal Leonard Online

 

[obimark]

Cool but most of those have tab.

 

[Groove Master]

I've noticed in the last many years that musicians aren't reading as much as they used to . When I was playing mostly horns (in the early 70s) it was much easier to learn a song with the music written out for you . Of course , then , I was doing stuff that required playing as written . But , since I've gone to bass full time , it seems to be a mostly ear thing . Now , it's nice to have a score handy for reference . But , I think you get better feel when you play by ear . It leaves you open to your own interpretations . And having a good drummer to work with makes it even better .

Just imagine the tons of written material that is available to you if you know how to read. All the theory stuff, transcriptions, real music lessons and so on. It would take you a lifetime to learn all that by ear.

 

[jchrisk1]

I do it about thirty times a weekend. Typically, I listen to a few bars first, then drop in. I've been doing it a long, long time, and admittedly, caused a train wreck or two in my time.

Same here. I've been co-hosting an open mic, once a week, for three years. And, I've been attending this open mic since I moved here 8 years ago. Kind of the running joke there is, " how many more songs do you think he knows before he got here tonight".
Of course, my band rehearses a couple of times a month.

 

[MrBassman17]

I've noticed in the last many years that musicians aren't reading as much as they used to . When I was playing mostly horns (in the early 70s) it was much easier to learn a song with the music written out for you . Of course , then , I was doing stuff that required playing as written . But , since I've gone to bass full time , it seems to be a mostly ear thing . Now , it's nice to have a score handy for reference . But , I think you get better feel when you play by ear . It leaves you open to your own interpretations . And having a good drummer to work with makes it even better .

If you have the luxury of choosing between both, that's great. Not all of us do. I depend on my ear, and I've been told I have a good one, but that still can get you only so far. A good friend of mine is a professional musician - broadway veteran of over 30 yrs., a drummer who has been compared to Buddy Rich. From this association I have been made aware that if I could learn to read, a whole set of opportunities would open up to me. And that's it right there. The question is whereto you want to go with your music? He works 3565 days a year, or nearly so, and, while he totally enjoys what he does, it's a schedule I couldn't handle. From my perspective, playing by ear, and playing with other musicians at the same or higher level is just fine by me! Not looking to be away from home playing every night is a choice you have to make. So, as I said, if you have the option of either reading or ear, by all means take advantage of it!

 

[Slevage]

There is a HUGE difference between playing notes and making music.

When I played trombone in bands, symphonies, and orchestras, it was expected that the score was followed as precisely as possible. Jazz... not so much, but I found this difficult.

When I play by ear, as I do with my bass, I feel like I am making music. For me, so much of playing bass is feel anyway, so not being tied to a score provides creative/artistic freedom.

The best players can read a written part and make it feel like music.
Interpretation is a skill in itself.
I’ve recorded with full time players that regularly
Work the pits of NY shows. Thr end result when they sight read a chart is better than most well rehearsed community bands ( of which I’m a member).
A pro is a pro in any field.

 

[BD Jones]

Cool but most of those have tab.

Tab is actually a form of music notation. Been around for centuries.