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Want to get better at reading standard notation?

callmejs

callmejs

Mar 2, 2009
191
181
Montreal
#1
Hi guys,

Just started taking piano lessons 3 weeks ago. I'm currently learning to read both clefs as I was only playing by ear before taking the class... Mix this with the need to play both hands independently and use the sustain pedal, all I can say is that it's a real humbling experience. ;-)

I stumbled on a site last week, ran the reading exercises 10-15 minutes per day, training my mind to figure out the notes without counting lines and spaces, just from the look of it. It tough, but after a few days I got pretty good at it.

This week my teacher was blown away by how much I have improved in just 7 days. Went from 5-10 seconds per note (ouch) to about 1 second when ledger lines are not involved.

Try it out, if it worked for me it might work for you: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good luck,
JS
 
#3
Here are a few more links on the topic: (some are bass specific. many have treble clef also)

Sight read standard notation(SN)?

~Newbie Sight Reading
Beginner's Bass Clef tips
1 Learn rhythm
Downloadable read "bass clef" software
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
print bass clef flashcards/staff paper
url=http://www.seventhstring.com/resources/howtotranscribe.html]Intro to transcribing[/url]

~Newbie Rhythm
1 Learning
2


~Sight Reading
{url=www.studybass.com/lessons/reading-music/bass-clef-fretboard-notes/bass-clef-notes-fretboard.pdf}Note: paste web address to your search bar to Download this cool doc: clef to fretboard translation. Memorize this!

2
Improving
Practicing
Sight reading source material
Sight read standard notation(SN)?
Transcribe/read transcriptions free online
 
#6
The Deej said:
Only trouble I found with this link is unless you play piano and know where the notes are on a piano it's kinda useless.
Click to expand...

Sustain pedal is not a need for bassist. First off.
Second, sight reading is neither easy nor hard. How much are you willing to put into it?

If you dedicate yourself you can learn a lot in 7 days or even 28 days or even... If you can keep it up more power to you It's hard to learn on your own, but if you're willing and able you are a better man than me.
Being humbled is always a good thing.
 
#7
It looks like an excellent tool for learning note names. The problem with it in relation to bass is that it won't teach you to read music. On bass, which fret and string you use to play a note is highly dependent on the notes before and after it: if you only learn the first four or five frets, that's just not enough knowledge to practically apply.

The only good place to get good melodic reading exercises is from double bass instruction books. Electric books never come without tablature, trombone books go above the staff too much, tuba books go below the staff too much.
 
#9
DrayMiles said:
A bassist should know rudimentary piano. The language of music is best explored academically from a piano. You're selling yourself short if you don't at the very least recognize where the notes are. :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Piano is something every musician needs to be familiar with.

Also, piano players are by FAR the best readers of music. I've handed stuff to guys and they blew me away, reading reasonably complicated stuff perfectly, first pass, no second take.

Another good resource: There used to be a random note generator on Gary Willis' site. Not great for rhythmic reading, but solid for the staff/ledger lines. Best to print it out and assign a random key.
 

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