Who doesn't read music?

[DWBass]

Admittedly, I am a horrible music reader. I can read charts ok. In my main band, Brasswind, I'm the only member who is not reading music on gigs and it's funny many of them are amazed that I learned everything by ear and have it all memorized. Especially the subs!! They always ask me "You're not reading?" I tell them 'nope, got it all memorized!' They just shake their head! The band is comprised of mostly all musically educated members (subs as well), some who are music teachers/band directors/armed forces band members.

I sometimes feel out of place but the BL has never said anything because I nail everything and am always prepared.

 

[Stumbo]

A poll would probably help this thread.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

But I keep try'n

 

[eJake]

I am capable of reading music but I feel that it is a hindrance on most gigs and avoid it if possible in place of memorization.

 

[bholder]

I used to read music on clarinet (somewhat still can) and slightly on piano, but for the most part, no, I don't, and I should be (re-)learning. Have the books haven't put in the effort or time.

 

[fretter]

I read treble clef, but not at the speed required for a stringed instrument.

 

[bluesblaster]

Same here, just don't practice it so I would not be able to keep up if someone put a chart in front of me

 

[bholder]

I read treble clef, but not at the speed required for a stringed instrument.

Me too - though I specialized in bass and contrabass clarinet (sounding well down into the bass clef), those are generally written in treble clef and played one or two octaves below written (to keep fingerings the same as on soprano Bb). So bass clef has always been unfamiliar turf even when I was sightreading on contrabass.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I find it helps a lot to know how to read. I don't do it that much these days because I don't play in the situations that require it often. I don't read as well as I used to in high school or college when I was a music major. I've had to quickly learn a bunch of tunes for an upcoming show so I just wrote up a bunch of Nashville Number System charts to make sure I play the proper arrangements.

I also find that if I start reading a chart and performing from the chart, I'm pretty much married to the chart. It's hard for me to memorize from the chart. Whereas if I just sit down in front of a recording and learn by playing along it makes the memorization much quicker and easier. I don't know, maybe a left brain/right brain thing?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I do not. But I can slap in time to a metronome. I am the bassist Jeff Berlin warned you about.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I read. It's really useful on gigs where they hand you a pile of sheet music (or charts) a week or two before the gig (like this New Years Eve!)

 

[GBBSbassist]

I can't even read words, let alone music.

 

[bholder]

I can't even read words, let alone music.

Words are easy, just 4 hex bytes. Doublewords get a bit much though. Chewy.

 

[PaulCISSA]

I can read, but I can’t “pick it off the page”. I’m envious of the guys (& girls) that can. I don’t work in the business so it’s never been a priority. Pisses me off that no one in my current band knows what “coda” is.

 

[JimB52]

I can read music, but I've always moved my lips when I read.

 

[baileyboy]

I can read music, though not on the fly... it takes me a long time to work out sheet music. I'm not in a situation in which it is a necessity, so all is good.

 

[Sequential]

I can read, but I've done it since elementary school and I keep up with it a little. I always counter that with the fact that Pino and George Benson can't read at all.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I do thanks to classical piano lessons that I took for 8 years.

 

[mikew31]

I do not read. The type of music I play does not require reading music. I can play from chord charts (guitar and bass) if needed on a first or second pass through, but after that, I learn the song. I'm talking about rock, country, and blues type things.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

yeah, sounds like we are all kinda in the same boat.
I used to be pretty good at it, but have not had a gig where it was required in a looooooong time.

Just getting back into it lately doing exercises for upright stuff, trying to get my UB skills in shape for a new project.