Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Reading Music
- Thread starter youngblues
- Start date
First of all it is very helpful when you plan on pursuing higher and better gigs. It's fine to learn both so you know more than one way but I woud suggest you learn how to read. I have an audition for the Navy band in a year and hate that I didnt start reading right away. I'm much better since I have started a few years back but if you want to be a great player reading can seperate you from the other guys. Plus you can't find many that can these days.
YES and no. Reading music isn't hard just takes a little time everyday as one of your practice items. If you learn to read you are learning the language musicians communitcate with it opens you up to a world of music resourses. Also many don't realize there is a difference between reading and sightreading. Many can read music, but being a good sightreadng is another skill. I think everyone should be able to read music so they can learn, keep notes, and talk to others.
Now there are some great players who don't read, but you will find most compensate with two things. First and amazing ear can hear anything and play it back to you, and second a photographic-like memory. Not only can they play it back after hearing it they remember it. IMO the Catch-22 is they tend to spend time coming up with their own way of writing things down and trying to communicate. So in long run they end up spending the same amount of time re-inventing the wheel. Why not just learn to read the same are everyone else.
Spend about ten minutes a day working on reading and over a few weeks you will start recognizing things. It like a little kid learning to talk They pickup a word or two, then a couple more, and in a few weeks are speaking simple sentences. Before you know it you are wishing they'd shutup.
Now there are some great players who don't read, but you will find most compensate with two things. First and amazing ear can hear anything and play it back to you, and second a photographic-like memory. Not only can they play it back after hearing it they remember it. IMO the Catch-22 is they tend to spend time coming up with their own way of writing things down and trying to communicate. So in long run they end up spending the same amount of time re-inventing the wheel. Why not just learn to read the same are everyone else.
Spend about ten minutes a day working on reading and over a few weeks you will start recognizing things. It like a little kid learning to talk They pickup a word or two, then a couple more, and in a few weeks are speaking simple sentences. Before you know it you are wishing they'd shutup.
YES
I'm now learning to read at 57! It would have been much easier at 7. Tough to break old habits and being ear trained it's hard not to rely on my ear when trying to read a piece of music. If you ever want to do a pit gig for a show, a jazz casual, cruise ship gig, teach, weddings etc. Learn to read. I wish I had sooner!!! If you can take the time to learn to read tab (numbers on lines) you can learn notation (dots on lines and spaces). Do it - NOW...
Doesn't it really depend on what you're planning to do?
If all you're going to be doing is playing rock and "bar band" stuff and you only have a limited amount of practice time, I think ear training is more important since very little of that kind of music is available in standard notation and you mostly learn those tunes from listening to them.
I took the time to learn to read and have to practice it regularly. It takes a lot of time and I'm happy I did but for the type of music I'm playing now it probably wasn't the best use of my time.
If all you're going to be doing is playing rock and "bar band" stuff and you only have a limited amount of practice time, I think ear training is more important since very little of that kind of music is available in standard notation and you mostly learn those tunes from listening to them.
I took the time to learn to read and have to practice it regularly. It takes a lot of time and I'm happy I did but for the type of music I'm playing now it probably wasn't the best use of my time.
My only response to that is what you are planning to do now might be entirely different than what you plan to do 6 months or even 6 years from now. It's not critical to learn to read. I've gigged for 40 hears w/o being able to read. Looking back on it I wished I had taken that 10 minutes a day to develop that skill. My advice would be, don't limit your options by NOT learning how to read. If you love music, and you love your instrument, learn the language and theory behind it, it will open up new possibilities for you.
What Chazinroch said is really how it is. If you can comprehend tab, you can comprehend notation. It is different but the concept is the same, and there's the bonus of knowing when to play the notes as well, not just what notes... In my opinion, it is very very helpful to be able to read. With the notation for a song, it is (usually) all right there for you: key signature, time signature, tempo (often), chord changes (sometimes), arrangement, what to play, the rhythm of what you play, etc. Of course, you don't have to be able to read to be a good musician, but I think it is an incredibly helpful if you can. At least it is for me. It saves me tons of time, at the very least!
If you want to learn to read but it seems intimidating, after you grasp the basics, perhaps try finding notation for a few songs that you already know, and play the tunes while looking at the music. That might help you understand what you're seeing, and you can continue from there. But honestly, I really don't think it is that difficult as long as you spend a bit of time on it. And I guarantee you will not regret it.
Music is a langage, being able to read (as for the alphabet) is definitely a major advantage. It gives acces to a whole new world of music out there (and, I know cause I've got a hard time learning how to at 44!)
Learn to read notation.
Abandon TAB as quickly as possible
the sooner you replace the thinking "fifth fret, second string"
with thinking "d" the better
Abandon TAB as quickly as possible
the sooner you replace the thinking "fifth fret, second string"
with thinking "d" the better
It depends on what you plan on doing. Most rock players can't read music. If you're going to be playing covers mostly, then it helps a tremendous amount. If you're going to be playing originals, then it doesn't matter. I write out my originals so I don't forget them, but not everybody does that.
If you do decide to learn to read, get something like Guitar Pro. It has both tab and notation, which helps a lot. Tab doesn't tell you the duration of the notes, standard notation doesn't tell you the fingering. I find having them both to be helpful.
If you do decide to learn to read, get something like Guitar Pro. It has both tab and notation, which helps a lot. Tab doesn't tell you the duration of the notes, standard notation doesn't tell you the fingering. I find having them both to be helpful.
Is it bad if i dont know he to read music just tab. will it come back to haunt me
thanks
JM
i'd say the ability to read & write English is a more important skill... maybe concentrate on that
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
It depends on what your goals are. There are plenty of musicians who can't read music and it has not hurt their careers. If you play in a bar band, it may never be necessary. However, if you want to do any sessions, learn new covers quickly, arrange parts for other instruments, or communicate efficiently with other musicians, it is necessary to be able to read and write music. The good news is that it's easy to learn how. It just takes practice, that's all.
Notation is a universal musical language.
Be musically LITERATE. I'm not saying you can sight read full on jazz and classical lead sheets, but just have a competent musical literacy able to handle most situations ok.
and you'll be fine.
Be musically LITERATE. I'm not saying you can sight read full on jazz and classical lead sheets, but just have a competent musical literacy able to handle most situations ok.
and you'll be fine.
Hi all first post here! 
Anywho, I just recent started playing bass although I have been playing drums most of my life and just recently decided that wasnt panning out exactly how I wanted it to so decided I should try something new and fun so here I am.
As to how this relates to the question at hand is slightly off topic but none the less I think my little story might be helpful, After a few years of drum lessons when I was younger (Teacher moved away and I didnt find anyone else I liked) I just jammed on my own thinking this is good! I am devoloping more of my own style and this will parley into makeing better music and I will finally get a good band going and make some totaly original stuff etc.
But! It didnt work out like that, Very quickly I learned this style of 100% on my own learning didnt work out for me, I developed bad habbits in my technique, Became stuck on playing the same old stuff and progressing slowly on new things I would try, I became frustated with the lack of direction and guideance (This was befor "Just google it" and I was still a stubborn kid so I didnt just do what I should have and read some books or sucked it up and found a new teacher) So I basicly gave up.
Years later I returned to drumming with vigor and the rescources to learn with, But thouse old habbits stuck with me after all that time and trying to learn everything a second time to not make the mistakes I made befor is not fun nor inspireing, So I picked up the Bass recently as what I hope to be my primary instrument (No I am not a "failed drummer" that bounced to a different instrument, I have plenty of reasons mainly the bass is just fun as hell! I still play my drums regularly and am quite good, The situation just isnt what I wanted it to be for the main focus of my musical outlet).
Yeah bit of rambleing there but the moral of my little story is that I painted myself into a corner and didnt touch base with alot of things I should have (For my own learning style) And I dont want to see anyone else do the same! Use your rescources even if you think you dont need them and reading music can be one of the mayjor ones! Yes its up to personal choice and how you learn, Some people can pick up an instrument and learn 100% by ear with no guideance far better they could otherwise, Others need lessons and guideance up till and after they sell a million albums, Unless your 100% certain your on one of thease extremes dont cut yourself off from your options!
I am also not trying to say you need to learn everything under the sun, A balence of knowing music theory and your intrument to a point where you feel you have the tools to get the job done and to go back if needed and not be totaly lost while at the same time keeping the door open for your creative side and not just always following what the book says.
Hope this helped in some way.
Anywho, I just recent started playing bass although I have been playing drums most of my life and just recently decided that wasnt panning out exactly how I wanted it to so decided I should try something new and fun so here I am.
As to how this relates to the question at hand is slightly off topic but none the less I think my little story might be helpful, After a few years of drum lessons when I was younger (Teacher moved away and I didnt find anyone else I liked) I just jammed on my own thinking this is good! I am devoloping more of my own style and this will parley into makeing better music and I will finally get a good band going and make some totaly original stuff etc.
But! It didnt work out like that, Very quickly I learned this style of 100% on my own learning didnt work out for me, I developed bad habbits in my technique, Became stuck on playing the same old stuff and progressing slowly on new things I would try, I became frustated with the lack of direction and guideance (This was befor "Just google it" and I was still a stubborn kid so I didnt just do what I should have and read some books or sucked it up and found a new teacher) So I basicly gave up.
Years later I returned to drumming with vigor and the rescources to learn with, But thouse old habbits stuck with me after all that time and trying to learn everything a second time to not make the mistakes I made befor is not fun nor inspireing, So I picked up the Bass recently as what I hope to be my primary instrument (No I am not a "failed drummer" that bounced to a different instrument, I have plenty of reasons mainly the bass is just fun as hell! I still play my drums regularly and am quite good, The situation just isnt what I wanted it to be for the main focus of my musical outlet).
Yeah bit of rambleing there but the moral of my little story is that I painted myself into a corner and didnt touch base with alot of things I should have (For my own learning style) And I dont want to see anyone else do the same! Use your rescources even if you think you dont need them and reading music can be one of the mayjor ones! Yes its up to personal choice and how you learn, Some people can pick up an instrument and learn 100% by ear with no guideance far better they could otherwise, Others need lessons and guideance up till and after they sell a million albums, Unless your 100% certain your on one of thease extremes dont cut yourself off from your options!
I am also not trying to say you need to learn everything under the sun, A balence of knowing music theory and your intrument to a point where you feel you have the tools to get the job done and to go back if needed and not be totaly lost while at the same time keeping the door open for your creative side and not just always following what the book says.
Hope this helped in some way.
