Why cant we all read?

[greenboy]

Some of the specious rationalization being paraded around here is hilarious.

Chris Squire himself probably would say it's all right to read. He's likely go no objection. Generally it's not such a bad thing to also be able to actually present cogent transcription at the end of a "learning every note off an album" exercise though.

So if you don't want to read, don't. It won't change the music world one way or another. The jobs and opportunities that require or at least benefit from reading skills will still get filled. The people who get enjoyment from reading and studying scores and stuff will still get that boost. And you will still do what you do.

Works out fine.

 

[SactoBass]

So if you don't want to read, don't. It won't change the music world one way or another. The jobs and opportunities that require or at least benefit from reading skills will still get filled. The people who get enjoyment from reading and studying scores and stuff will still get that boost. And you will still do what you do.

Works out fine.

+1 to that!!

 

[JimmyM]

Very simple stuff, eh? Hmmm. Okay. Go learn every bass note on the Close to the Edge album, and also on the Relayer album (both by YES featuring Mr. Chris Squire on bass), and then let us TB'ers know if you still hold that same sentiment.

Good luck! (...you're gonna need it.....especially with The Gates of Delirium.) And if you can nail Sound Chaser note for note, I'll buy you a beer, my friend!

um, chris squire reads.

 

[JimmyM]

so looking down on those who cant read and calling them lazy in not so few words isnt snobbery?

SNOB: a person who believes himself or herself an expert or connoisseur in a given field and is condescending toward or disdainful of those who hold other opinions or have different tastes regarding this field: a musical snob.
(lol at the example)

SNOBBERY: snobbish character, conduct, trait, or act.

I think I have my definitions right.

well you just keep on believing what you want and keep not learning how to read and keep calling those of who can "snobs." you'll be the winner, then.

 

[nutdog]

Just wanna know why a lot of players wont learn to read. Expecialy after playing for several years. Any thoughts?

180 posts later...

Not talking about hobbiest. Im talking about guys who work regularly and more so the guys who play to eat and pay the bills.

 

[BassyBill]

180 posts later...

And the thread should have been over after this post...

ever notice that the only people on earth who say the costs outweight the benefits are non-readers? i've already browbeaten people enough over being too lazy to learn how to read so i'll refrain in this thread, but never in a million years will you hear a reader say the costs outweigh the benefits. and there are way more benefits to learning how to read than merely being able to read a sheet of music. even if you never read on a gig in your entire life, the benefits greatly outweigh the costs, and the only people you will ever hear say the opposite are non-readers.

 

[SactoBass]

um, chris squire reads.

Jimmy, where did you obtain that information from?

I chatted with Squire backstage for a while (no joke) and we talked mostly about different basses, including the Ric 4001CS signature bass that I owned at the time (I was in a YES tribute band then). I didn't ask him point blank if he reads music, but I do recall him saying that he plays by ear.

 

[Jpeachbass]

And the thread should have been over after this post...

This is true. I never thought this would turn into a all out forum brawl about reading.

And to the 180 posts later thing. I was busy shedding, Not reading talk bass post.

 

[fdeck]

I didn't ask him point blank if he reads music, but I do recall him saying that he plays by ear.

I read music, and I play by ear.

 

[greenboy]

I didn't ask him point blank if he reads music, but I do recall him saying that he plays by ear.

So do I. That never made reading any less of an asset though.

 

[SactoBass]

This is true. I never thought this would turn into a all out forum brawl about reading.

And to the 180 posts later thing. I was busy shedding, Not reading talk bass post.

Wait a minute. Hold on here. Are you actually suggesting that we should..........P.....P-P.....P-P-P....PRACTICE????????

Ya mean spending hours doing a bunch of typing in a bass related talk forum and arguing about who reads and who doesn't read isn't going to improve my playing skills????

 

[fdeck]

Take a weekend warrior in a bar band though, playing with a bunch of other guys that can't read, let alone write charts. Having no charts tends to diminish the invaluability of being able to read music, IMO. And weekend warriors available time to spend on music is more limited, its a sideline rather than a full time occupation, so it makes sense for them to focus their limited time on things that have the most effect on their employability, or enjoyability.

How many hours per week do you rehearse?

 

[Jpeachbass]

Wait a minute. Hold on here. Are you actually suggesting that we should..........P.....P-P.....P-P-P....PRACTICE????????

Ya mean spending hours doing a bunch of typing in a bass related talk forum and arguing about who reads and who doesn't read isn't going to improve my playing skills????

Haha, it could. If the augment makes you decide to learn to read. Jk

 

[SactoBass]

Haha, it could. If the augment makes you decide to learn to read. Jk

The interest just isn't there, my friend.

 

[JimmyM]

Jimmy, where did you obtain that information from?

I chatted with Squire backstage for a while (no joke) and we talked mostly about different basses, including the Ric 4001CS signature bass that I owned at the time (I was in a YES tribute band then). I didn't ask him point blank if he reads music, but I do recall him saying that he plays by ear.

he does now. but he grew up singing and arranging for church choir, and you don't usually get out of that experience without getting at least a basic knowledge of how to read.

 

[DwaynieAD]

well you just keep on believing what you want and keep not learning how to read and keep calling those of who can "snobs." you'll be the winner, then.

Never once have I said someone is a snob for being able to read, I said those who can read and talk down to those who can't are acting snobbish.

Also being a snob and acting snobbish are two very different things.

There is no subtext in what I write, so dont try to read into it.

 

[greenboy]

When you play in a band with especially complex music (including prog-period Yes), chances are at least some of the members know how to read and write. For one thing, it's a tool for composing efficiently.

And good luck getting with a Frank or Dweezil project without reading skills. Tall order even with them. Speaking of the benefits of reading and writing: Stevie Vai credits Frank with really helping him develop as a guitarist early on, with all the transcribing he was first hired to do. He said it made his brain a lot more accomodating.

Jimmy, you got that Chris Squire "christmas" album?

 

[DwaynieAD]

Maybe. Maybe not. It seems like some people always get off into defensive side trips about this "what so and so said to me with their real big 'tude" crap, instead of just doing the thing - or not doing the thing.

So, do you really want to read? Or just argue that Jimmy is a bad bad man? I'm sure it doesn't hurt him any, one way or another.

I've not actually stated my opinion on the matter either way. and as you say at the beginning of page eleven, do what you want it doesn't matter, which is my sentiments exactly, my problem is that those who can read have came in and talked down to those who can not, and yet in every reply to me pointing this out that single point has been ignored.

I'm grown up enough to disagree with Jimmy in this thread and agree with him in the next. we have differing opinions on this issue doesn't mean he's no longer my best friend and can't come to my birthday party

 

[JimmyM]

i do not, greenie. good stuff?

 

[SactoBass]

Jimmy, you got that Chris Squire "christmas" album?

A "must have" for every collection. There's nothing quite like the third cut "Little Drummer Boy" played on his Electra X610 bass w/internal flanger module through his Marshall Super bass amp. A true classic, perfect for any Christmas morning.