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Reading music and elitism

#296
There is nothing elitist about reading music. It makes a musician more literate. And yes, there are some very few exceptions (prodigies, etc)

However, some in this thread are exhibiting their elitism.

So maybe there is a little understanding on where that perception could come from. I say could, because I also believe on the other side of the coin are the pridefully ingnorant who are defensive.

I don't read well. I would like to get better at it. I am not session player. I have fun when I do play.

So, be at peace with your choice, take pride in your achievements, and don't let it spoil yer day.
 
#297
^What Jimmy said
It is of course a skill to be able to read music in the same way that being able to read written language is a skill- it is something that is learned through absorbing principles and is improved by practice.
Isn't the fact that people are stating that they haven't put the time and effort into acquiring the skill proof of that?
Whatever your standpoint on the benefits of reading as opposed to not-reading to argue that it is not a skill and that in some way, not acquiring a skill is more beneficial than doing so, is IMHO, not valid. Your opinion on the usefulness or benefit of that skill to you personally is a totally different matter- however, a massive part of the benefit I've gained from joining TB is from hearing of the experience of others who have different and wider experience than me and in the vast majority of cases are undoubtedly more skillful bass players than me, so, I appreciate and attempt to learn from their experience.
You don't learn and expand by simply repeating your own "dogma" or by not listening to and attempting (if appropriate to you and your ambitions for yourself) to try what they have shared for yourself.
YM, may undoubtedly,V.
 
#298
TNCreature said:
There is nothing elitist about reading music. It makes a musician more literate. And yes, there are some very few exceptions (prodigies, etc)

However, some in this thread are exhibiting their elitism.

So maybe there is a little understanding on where that perception could come from. I say could, because I also believe on the other side of the coin are the pridefully ingnorant who are defensive.

I don't read well. I would like to get better at it. I am not session player. I have fun when I do play.

So, be at peace with your choice, take pride in your achievements, and don't let it spoil yer day.
Click to expand...

Extremely well said.
 
#299
dustinfennessey said:
No. Arguing that there are great musicians on both sides.
Click to expand...

And if said player who is great and cannot read bothered to learn, they would be better then before. I challenge anyone who can not read to take the time, learn to do it, and then come back here and tell everyone how it was a waste of time and that it did not help them musically. You either want to get good or you don't. Why would anyone who is serious about this stuff willfully deny themselves to something that has the potential to increase their skills exponentially.

Sure I've met many "classical" players who are clueless without a sheet of music in front of them but that is not an argument against reading. That's an argument for studying composition, ear training, and improv. If you don't wat to read music and are happy with you place in the musical universe that's fine but don't try and tell me that we should disregard it and it's not necessary and doesn't help. It's worth it for the amount of material that becomes available for study even if you never take a reading gig.
 

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