Why cant we all read?

[electracoyote]

but never in a million years will you hear a reader say the costs outweigh the benefits.

+1

I wish I had learned much earlier. It made me more valuable and better as a player and a teacher.

 

[thomphoto]

spelling is difficult for some, too - fyi: "can't," "won't," "especially"

Exactly my first thought. There is probably more need for people to learn to spell and use correct grammar than there is to read music.

 

[negative theory]

I've never been handed a sheet of music, so why would I need to know how to read music?

 

[jbalou02]

it takes WORK. I used to read pretty well but let it slip. I've found that it is NOT like riding a bike - you have to keep at it.

+1

Me too lazy, don't need it playing bar slop in northern BFE

Wish I still did need it...

 

[Ric5]

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

Because you can be a really good, really successful musician without reading a single note.

Raeding is a nice skill to have but it is not necessary. For me I find it an easy way to learn songs faster. I play a lot and don't read music very often. Also many times sheet music and tabs are wrong, so you need to have a good ear as well.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Yeah and puts reasoning behind things, i'm not sure how its directed at my post though?

"Originally Posted by Drifta
I guess for some people, it is for fun... Reading and theory can take the fun out of it if you don't enjoy LEARNING".

I hang with many bassists on a pretty regular basis. Quite often they'll ask questions about theory becuase they're genuinely curious and think it's a big mysterious thing. I tell and show them that everything they're doing is based on theory and in particular intervals. When I break it down, I've yet to see anyone who didn't enjoy knowing something they didn't know before the conversation. Then again I'm not going to get into long drawn out discussions over A# vs. Bb because in practical terms those debates can take the fun out for many people.

Breaking down a bass line like "Jungle Boogie", pointing out how the entire band plays that in unison expect the keyboard, which plays a counterpoint... the second half of the line first, the first half second, is fun for many bassist IME. It doesn't have to be boring.


It can give you ideas on new things to try and IME most people like learning new things they can immediately put to work. So again... theory is putting a name to things they already do... and much more.

 

[Hammertime3]

Remember what Jerry Reed, the legendary Nashville guitarist, said when the session guy asked if he could read music?? He replied, "Sure I can read music...I just can't read and play at the same time!!!" I can't imagine how reading could have improved Jerry's playing...just saying. Typical Jerry Reed response!!

 

[Tampabass]

Exactly my first thought. There is probably more need for people to learn to spell and use correct grammar than there is to read music.

True, yes, but literacy's kind of a requirement for functioning in the modern world - you need to read (words) well, and communicate effectively.

I can't think of any reason why anyone who plays an instrument WOULDN'T want to learn how to read music.

Okay, one reason: They've yet to understand how much learning to read music would do to help them appreciate, understand, and enjoy all things musical, including playing bass. And, yeah, they'd get more gigs, too.

Some folks just prefer staying in the dark, and calling it light.

 

[Nev375]

I'd like to learn how to read. I'd also like to learn how to have perfect pitch.

I tried to teach myself these things, but so far I haven't caught on.

Perhaps my left-brain doesn't work as well as the right half.

 

[Brad Johnson]

That is neither true for all bass players nor a given IME IMO.

Reading music is not the light. You can be a far more accomplished musician than a reader and in that case who would be in the dark? Especially a reader who simply can't play without sheet music.

 

[Tampabass]

Nev - seriously, keep trying, and maybe spend some time with a music reader, and before you know it you'll get the hang of it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I'd like to learn how to read. I'd also like to learn how to have perfect pitch.

I tried to teach myself these things, but so far I haven't caught on.

Perhaps my left-brain doesn't work as well as the right half.

IME relative pitch is much easier to work on and far more useful than perfect pitch.

 

[mcm]

for rock n roll and blues, there is not a need if you have a great ear.

 

[Tampabass]

That is neither true for all bass players nor a given IME IMO.

Reading music is not the light. You can be a far more accomplished musician than a reader and in that case who would be in the dark? Especially a reader who simply can't play without sheet music.

Brad, I think you often argue just for the sake of arguing.
It is true - who would be in the dark? the bass player who can't read. The more you know about music, the more you can apply that knowledge to your playing. You're saying that it's better to know LESS about music? You're better off as a musician that way?

The concept isn't that complicated.

 

[guroove]

it takes WORK. I used to read pretty well but let it slip. I've found that it is NOT like riding a bike - you have to keep at it.

This! I *know* how to read. I used to be pretty good at it. But if you put music in front of me now, I can't do it. I used to be able to sing melodies off a sheet of music too. It takes work, and you have to keep it up.

 

[Nev375]

Nev - seriously, keep trying, and maybe spend some time with a music reader, and before you know it you'll get the hang of it.

All my musician buddies can't read either. I'm not aquainted with anyone around here who can.

IME relative pitch is much easier to work on and far more useful than perfect pitch.

I'd like to learn that too.

 

[DwaynieAD]

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

A) so you can pretend you are superior to me

B) cuz it's not metal to read

C) cuz anyone can chop beef but no one can pea soup

D) Carrots

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I'd like to learn how to read. I'd also like to learn how to have perfect pitch.
...

I think this is a poor comparison - Reading music is a pretty simple skill, all things considered. Much easier that learning Spanish or learning how to play a new instrument - but the learning process is not very fun and the benefits are not immediately apparent. Perfect pitch - I've met many who claim to have it and none who do - I'm sure there are some who do, but I believe that's more of a native talent than a skill one learns (like having a good voice).

 

[Tampabass]

ever notice that the only people on earth who say the costs outweight the benefits are non-readers? ...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.

This should be the first & last post for every thread on this subject. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[groooooove]

You can do A LOT of theory without relating it to the staff. In fact, the staff just makes it more confusing in a lot of cases. I can tell you an interval much quicker by looking at the neck than I can by looking at the staff because the neck is more regular (is the move from a line to a space a whole step or a half step? It depends on the key signature).

this is without any doubt incorrect. your demonstrating a fine misunderstanding of intervals, though.

is it a diminished 7th or a major 6th? the bass neck won't tell you that. if you think thats overly-technecal and doesn't matter, then you're even further demonstrating your lack of understanding of theory, because the function of 7th / 6th can be heard (even if its the same enharmonic pitch.)

i dont mean to sound all pretentious and stuff, but its true. for hobbyists, i agree, you can get by without reading. but for musicians, reading its pretty essential- while you may get by without it, learning it will enhance everything you do- you can learn more music, learn music easier, understand music a lot easier and quicker, ext ext.

i think a lot of people who learn to play without reading at first get intimidated by how hard it seems at first, then try and rationalize it by saying "look, i'm playing just fine in this rock band, no need to read here," but a lot of them fall into the hobbyist category, witch is all in all a good thing, i suppose. (i was in that position for a long time, but once i learned how to read i realized how ignorant i was being.)