Reading music and elitism

[NickyBass]

I understand that some people just want to enjoy playing songs, so I can sort of see the allure of TAB in some contexts, but I don't understand how method books can have TAB. Obviously, someone who is working through a method book wants to learn the instrument, so why limit the learning possibilities.

The problem with TAB is that it doesn't work on a universl level. What if you want to write horn parts? What if you need to transpose? Is a composer going to write out all the parts in standard notation, except for the bass/guitar part? What if you have to learn a horn part? How are you going to discuss the arrangements with a violin player?

Of course, not everyone needs or wants to do all those things, but I would urge anyone who is on the fence to learn to read. It will pay off in the end.

 

[Roy Vogt]

And for what may be the final word on the subject from French and Saunders:

 

[Phil Smith]

And for what may be the final word on the subject from French and Saunders:

Now that's entertainment!

 

[BassyBill]

It's a shorthand. It saves space on the page and saves on fatigue for the eyes.

Hmmm - I'm not sure that it's quicker to write or that it takes less space. But yes, it is kind of easier on the eyes. Thanks. Is there any terminology associated with writing quarter notes like that? I don't recall ever seeing it done before.

 

[BassyBill]

And for what may be the final word on the subject from French and Saunders:

That is truly hilarious!

 

[carl h.]

Hmmm - I'm not sure that it's quicker to write or that it takes less space. But yes, it is kind of easier on the eyes. Thanks. Is there any terminology associated with writing quarter notes like that? I don't recall ever seeing it done before.

I'm not certain. There probably is a name for it, but I haven't ever encountered it. I see it a lot in shows and in classical circles. Earliest instance I can recall is in a Vivaldi violin concerto. It was used to outline the chord changes and the interpretation was left up to the player - yes classical chord changes!

 

[Dean N]

I have a question that may be a thread hijack, but this thread sure has the attention of the musically literate (and I did search, but this is a weird question):

I've been reading music since 4th grade (now 39). Horn player, band, jazz, orchestra, drum corps... playing bass since 19 or so, but I never learned to sight read on bass. I could pull out my ancient Breeze-Easy and Arban's trombone method books to get started, but a (b flat concert) instrument means keys of E flat, B flat, C, etc., that probably won't immediately translate to common keys that would be more immediately applicable to (mostly rock) bass.

Can anyone recommend a book/books etc. for a musically literate person to sight read bass, that would be most useful in real-world application?

 

[carl h.]

Can anyone recommend a book/books etc. for a musically literate person to sight read bass, that would be most useful in real-world application?

Why bother with a book when you can get the real parts for MANY pieces for free here.

 

[smeet]

I recommend getting some trombone exercise books, look on any sheet music website. Challenging stuf.

But if you do want bass-specific books, look here:
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[Fergie Fulton]

And for what may be the final word on the subject from French and Saunders:

Nice one Roy.

 

[JimmyM]

That was awesome!

 

[BassyBill]

I have a question that may be a thread hijack, but this thread sure has the attention of the musically literate (and I did search, but this is a weird question):

I've been reading music since 4th grade (now 39). Horn player, band, jazz, orchestra, drum corps... playing bass since 19 or so, but I never learned to sight read on bass. I could pull out my ancient Breeze-Easy and Arban's trombone method books to get started, but a (b flat concert) instrument means keys of E flat, B flat, C, etc., that probably won't immediately translate to common keys that would be more immediately applicable to (mostly rock) bass.

Can anyone recommend a book/books etc. for a musically literate person to sight read bass, that would be most useful in real-world application?

Check out the transcriptions thread in this forum, and the threads linked to within that one.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/t...o-commercially-available-stuff-thanks-779126/

 

[Dean N]

Check out the transcriptions thread in this forum...

How'd I miss this? Thanks. And thanks for the link, smeet. Any recommended books on that list?

So would you recommend just sucking it up and just going right into songs rather than scales and etudes and typical beginner-type material? I certainly have the chops to play a lot of stuff.

I'm just not sure what would be the most effective method to learn sight-reading in keys commonly used in rock (E, A, G, etc.). I still suspect the trombone material, which I have a lot of, wouldn't be the best way to go.

 

[smeet]

I think songs and rhythmic exercises are the way to go, once you have the basics down. Reading pitches isn't too hard, you'll pick that up before too long. Rhythms are the hard part, so it can pay off to get a book that targets difficult rhythmic reading, thus my suggestion of snare drum rudiments.

The trombone stuff is great precisely because it ISN'T the usual bass cliches.

For more bassy stuff, I like this book: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
You can see some pages here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It goes from quite easy to pretty hard, and they are all things you are likely to see on a bass chart. They are all different styles, submitted by various instructors at Berklee.

For some nasty rhythmic stuff, these are good:
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If you can find the bass book for stage musicals at your local library (do those exist any more?), those can be great reading practice too.

 

[GeoffT]

Can anyone recommend a book/books etc. for a musically literate person to sight read bass, that would be most useful in real-world application?

There's 2 reading books from the guys at Berklee:
Reading Contemporary Electric Bass by Appleman and
The Berklee Bass Dept. Reading Book

The David Motto, Essential Sightreading Studies for Electric Bass are good (3 parts).

Those all go progressively from easy to more difficult, great for building sight-reading skills.

Standing In The Shadows of Motown is great. Not really in order of difficulty but there is a range of stuff from easy to difficult and you can never go wrong learning Jamerson stuff.

I like the 30 Simandl Etudes, not necessarily just for sight-reading skills but it keeps you reading and works on your technique. Also goes from easiest to most difficult.

 

[Dean N]

Thanks again guys! This site is the bestest ever.

 

[Dean N]

Oh and by the way, I can't even remotely understand any justification to choose to not learn music theory. Seems like rationalization for laziness. As for reading music as a bass player, I'm guilty of not doing it, and this thread motivated me to get on it. Thanks for that, JimmyM and everyone on both sides of the argument... I know which is the right side.

 

[emor]

To those that say that standard notation doesn't tell you where to put your fingers, you know you can always write those in yourself.

If you look hard enough, I think there's even driving directions to the gig somewhere in there.

 

[carl h.]

GAAAAHHHHHHHH


That is precisely the reason I carry a BIG eraser!

 

[JimmyM]

That's fantastic, Dean! Great post!