Who doesn't read music?

[Altitude]

I was a (classical) cellist for ten years before I played bass, so I can read. I get gigs occasionally that guys who don't read couldn't do - like where the sheet music shows up in the mail a week before the gig and then I fly in and get one live rehearsal before the show. That kind of thing. All else constant, you'll work more if you can read music than someone who cannot.

Good session players can read music straight from the sheet to the tape in one take. I'm not at that level, at least not anymore. I usually have to pick it out carefully at first.

I play in a variety rock and dance group. The horn players have all been in the group for years, and they still read the charts off iPads on every gig we do. They play wonderfully, but I wonder why they do that, the optics don't seem good to me.

 

[getbent]

I was fortunate to learn to read as part of school band (clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, tuba, double bass), but it wasn't until I started working out of the Jamerson book that I really got comfortable reading for electric bass. Not having TAB's, it forced me to get comfortable reading and playing further up the neck, and in more difficult keys, and figuring out what fingerings worked best for me and the song at hand. Highly recommended.
The Jamerson book also helped with my rhythm, being able to feel the syncopation and subdivisions. In high school, our tyrant band director made us do clapping exercises, where we had to clap and say a rhythm (1 e & a 2 and 3 4 AND) while keeping time with your foot. Seemed dumb at the time, but years later, it was very very useful for understanding how to break down and count syncopated rhythms.

 

[Hasty]

I don't like it but I also expect to see stands when it's a small jazz trio or something, because those cats never memorize anything.

Trios can be rough... I have quite a few standards memorized, but I usually only play trios as a sub at the last minute so I’m usually doing things on the fly and following chord changes. So if you see me with a trio I’ll probably always have a stand or iPad with me. While I don’t love the Real Book, I accept it as an extremely useful tool.

 

[LBS-bass]

Trios can be rough... I have quite a few standards memorized, but I usually only play trios as a sub at the last minute so I’m usually doing things on the fly and following chord changes. So if you see me with a trio I’ll probably always have a stand or iPad with me. While I don’t love the Real Book, I accept it as an extremely useful tool.

Yeah that seems to be the problem. Trios are thrown together often and don't rehearse material too much, *because* they know they can rely on charts and it gives them a vast repertoire. I don't mind this so much, as it's kind of the norm with this situation. But I do like to imagine what a really good trio might sound like if they did rehearse and commit a setlist to memory. That would possibly elevate something good to something awesome.

 

[DWBass]

All of these problems can be solved by making the horn players listen to the tune - if it exists in a recorded form.

Here lies the problem. They aren't. They only go by the music sheet. Every song on the song list, there was a YouTube video attached to the email along with the sheet music. This is not to say they fail at every song but there are a few where those 'funk' inflections are needed. If they would just listen to the songs..................

 

[SactoBass]

I wish I could read so I could Have transcribed the cool prog rock opus I had in my dream last night.

LOL! Excellent reply!!!

Sometimes I think how comical (or perhaps scary??) it would be if there was a way to video record my dreams and then watch the playback during the following day. Yikes!

 

[DWBass]

I play in a variety rock and dance group. The horn players have all been in the group for years, and they still read the charts off iPads on every gig we do. They play wonderfully, but I wonder why they do that, the optics don't seem good to me.

This is my world. Even the drummer is reading!

 

[Goofball Jones]

Can you imagine going to a Led Zeppelin (or Rush, or YES) concert and watching all of the guys perform from sheet music? Drrrrrrrr!

DW, *YOU* are the one who should be shaking your head when your band members say that they can't play their instruments without crutches.

If you are performing in an orchestra, then sheet music is fine on stage. Otherwise, nooooooooooooo!

All IMO of course!

To be fair though, both Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones could read music as they were session musicians for quite a while in the 60s. But really, ANY band with regular group members shouldn't have to read music on stage...as that's what practice is for: to learn the songs. You sit in as a pick-up player for the night or weekend, then yeah, you're gonna have your iPad there reading the charts if you don't know the song by heart. It happens all the time in NYC with gigging musicians.

 

[filmtex]

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.

Same here. And without a chart I do pretty well.

 

[turf3]

Here lies the problem. They aren't. They only go by the music sheet. Every song on the song list, there was a YouTube video attached to the email along with the sheet music. This is not to say they fail at every song but there are a few where those 'funk' inflections are needed. If they would just listen to the songs..................

Sounds like time for a sectional rehearsal.

 

[jeffbrown]

I may take exception to the feeling that horn players can't/don't *feel* the tune because they're buried in the charts. Of course, everyone is different. LOL - I know *I* am....

Anyway, back in the day, as a trumpet sub in a covers rock band, we read the charts, but being familiar with the tunes anyway, we used the charts as a friendly reminder where we were and what was coming up next. And we rocked!

In college and after, played in a big band, and EVERYONE was reading the charts. When the audience wanted to hear Count Basie, and KNEW the tune, deviation was not encouraged. BUT, we swung as hard as anyone. Our book was fairly extensive, and memorizing the whole thing was, well, pretty impossible. We were pretty good - tooting my own horn here - arrangers would bring charts for us to sight read so they could hear what it sounded like, and we usually nailed them on the first or second take. That was a LONG time ago, and my skills in BASS clef are awful. I'm getting better, really.

What I HAVE noticed is that younger players often don't know how to "lay back" of the beat. Those are the guys who ARE locked into the charts and DON'T listen to the originals, thus they can't do it with their own music, either. It is a feel thing, wouldn't you agree? Heck, the other old farts in my band have a hard time with it. I was fortunate to grow up listening to music that DID have that feel.

Another poster mentioned the reality that as string players, we have options on the neck for any given note, something horn players do not, other than an occasional alternate fingering which could be used for more accurate intonation depending on the individual horn and where it was in the harmonics scheme. That slows me WAY down, as I have said previously. Yup, practicepracticepractice.

 

[40Hz]

I can read just fine. But I’ll still memorize my part if at all possible before a performance. Either way, being able to read makes it much easier to learn your parts IMO.

 

[StyleOverShow]

I work in three bands and mostly keep charts up on an iPad as a visual que having memorized the shows.

I read both clefs, not a great sight reader but can make it through the chart.

Ten-fifteen years ago I started playing jazz as my hair turned grey. Fell in with a bunch of old coots who played Real Book straight ahead stuff. They chided me for using a chart and all but forced me to use my ears when playing standards. Really helped me and forced me to think with my ears, intervals and theory applied.

Bottom line, many roads lead to Rome and some to Detroit. All depends where you’re going.

 

[JRA]

i used to do gigs where reading was expected --- always! these days: i'm relying more and more on memorization (even though we have charts) because i can't rely on my eyes the way i once did. i even make my charts (bass) with really big notes and over-sized chord changes. but if i have enough of the tune down by memory = i look at the chart more for form. the bad part: my memory isn't what it used to be either!

IME: knowing how to read music is an advantage...always.

 

[Billybassbeater]

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.

Haven't read music since 1974. Sometimes I think I'll go and bone up on it but I never do.

 

[DWBass]

I can read just fine. But I’ll still memorize my part if at all possible before a performance. Either way, being able to read makes it much easier to learn your parts IMO.

If what is written is correct. I much prefer to listen to the recording.

 

[DWBass]

The only visual I use is a key note next to the name of the song. I play many of the same songs in other bands some in different keys.

 

[40Hz]

If what is written is correct. I much prefer to listen to the recording.

If you’re working off an actual score, it is (by definition) accurate. If you’re working off a transcription, all bets are off. If you’re working off a recording, you’re most often working off someone’s interpretation.

Score…transcription…interpretation… three different things.

 

[DWBass]

If you’re working off an actual score, it is (by definition) accurate. If you’re working off a transcription, all bets are off. If you’re working off a recording, you’re most often working off someone’s interpretation.

Score…transcription…interpretation… three different things.

All transcriptions in this band.

 

[40Hz]

All transcriptions in this band.

That definitely makes it dicier. But I’m guessing the collective musical experience of the band members offsets any inaccuracies in the written music since you know when to “ignore the score” if necessary.