HEY GUYS, I've never posted in this forum before.

I have a question for all you serious musicians.

Do you play by ear, or do you all read music?

I have found it impossible to understand to the concept of reading music.

In theory I understand it.

On paper, I go dumb.

I can hear a piece of music and play it after a few listens.

I play the piano and guitar rather well.

I come from a family of musicians that read and compose.

They think it a sin of me not taking the effort to learn what it is i'm playing.

But I find that there are alot of muscians out there that can read but have no "feel" for the music.

I think it's more important to have the "feel" for the music and how you play

then actually sitting there and being able to disect a piece

I never win this argument with my father...

do you find it a burden to play with non- readers?

On more common/simple pieces of music, sure, it's easier to play by ear. But, man, don't ask me to play some Bach by ear.

Well.

Don't ask me to play some Bach.

Period.

I don't like to read music, cause I always liek to improvise everything. But sometimes it's hard to pick thing by ear so I go after sheet music and tabs. Like complex proggresions or fast guitar solos.

Both!!! I learned to play by reading but I learned to feel it & Funk it by ear

pimpdoutt said:

Both, but I'm really slow at reading. If I'm going to learn a piece of music I look at the sheet music. When I write my music I just play and record it. It would be interesting to see what it looks like!

Exactly.

I think learning to read music is like learning to read a language. You can mimick what people say in French, and you can kind of make it out if you read it, but you may learn some words and not have a clue how to write them down.

As a classically trained violinist who later become involved with jazz, celtic, country, bluegrass, eastern and western fusion, I've learned the importance of both reading music and hearing it.

My young days as a violinist I was a part of one of the most respected children's music programs in the world, called Suzuki.

Suzuki taught one to hear music, and then be able to relate what you heard onto notes on paper. It is impossible to create a truly personal or inspired piece of music simply by reading what the composer wrote. At the same time, it is impossible to really have a train or a path to follow without music to read. Harder music, anyways.

So, it is important that we as musicians know how to do both. We need to know everything that is involved in the process of music.

The fact of the matter is, you can talk to other people, and other people can talk to you. You can "make up" sentences in your head and you will be able to communicate. But if you are able to read the language that you speak, then that will give you the ability to enhance your verbal power. You can watch a Shakespearean play, and you can read a Shakespearean play. Each option offers something different. Watching it displays emotion. At the same time, the actors' emotions were inspired by the text that they read.

Sheet music is another resource that we as musicians can draw from to help solve our musical problems. I think every serious musician should be able to read music.

People that edit their messages piss me off.
[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 14:55:48 PDT 2003 by savoirfaire]

Ear only, but I don't mind learning sheet music. I can read trumpet music, or, at least I use to.


Peace,
JD

My teacher always said that its a little like not learning to read & write english if ya dont read music. You can communicate verbally ok but your command over the vocabullary can be limted.

By knowing about reading & theory in music, you understand all the musical vocabulary you need to play whats in your head without technical limitations just as a command over english vocabulary helps you comunicate exactly what you feel verbally.
[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 15:38:56 PDT 2003 by cloud9mission]

BUt the ear IMO is more important. Prince does not read music, hendrix did not read music. they are great. nuno bettencourt from extreme cannot read music and he is and STUNNING guitar player. And I knows lots of musicans who read very well music but are tone deaths, and it sucks.
Of course the best way is to know both.

I grew up reading music for violin, drums and trombone but when I picked up the guitar that all changed. No more reading music. I know the names of the strings with some notes and I know a little theory but that's it.

While I agree with the comparison to the english language, I also know sometimes "by ear or feel" works just as well.

I'll always learn and grow as a person and a musician.Whether I pick up a scale here or a progression there, what difference does it make. Are you going to judge somebody's art by their vocabulary? I'm not, just by feel.

That's just my 2 cents.

oh yeah the feel is the link that gives it meaning & soul. Without that its nothing

When ya think about it, the dots are just a primative form of recording. Thats how I like to look at it cos thats probably why it was invented, to make a record of the music you wrote for future generations
[This message was edited Mon Jun 9 16:49:33 PDT 2003 by cloud9mission]

7salles said:

i didn't know that P and Jimi didnt read music...thanx for the info

thanx guys for your responses

if i ever learn how to send mp3's i'll post a track here to get some feedback from y'all fellow org people.

7salles said:

i didn't know that P and Jimi didnt read music...thanx for the info

Prince can read music.

SEXUALCHOCOLATE said:

Thats what I was gonna say.

Most people have some idea even if they cant read it fluently. Ive yet to meet someone who knows nothing about theory

When i say read music i say read it with a minimum of proficiency, if only know the values figures and tiem figures and where they fit in the pentagram is to read music, than any 7 years children can read music. But it's not what I am talking about. And last note, i know people who knows lots about progressions and scales, but can't read partiture. And i knows tons of people that plays virtuoso piano only reading, that can't improvise pentatonics over a blues progression.

I can relate 100%. You have been blessed with raw talent and a good ear that can never be schooled. Relish in it!

Though I don't deny that there are huge advantages to knowing how to read music, here's some of the stuff that I pulled off by ear (as I'm music theory and notation illiterate.)

Maybe you can tell ME if I should take my a-- to music school. You can also rate my songs if you like.

http://www.cornerband.com...id=1028475

Peace.
Ropy
[This message was edited Mon Jun 16 15:00:39 PDT 2003 by ropyvega]

ropyvega said:

ROPY-
I love your stuff. Fuck theory, this is what I'm talking about! It's like a little Fiona Apple, more soul, a little Macy. Wow, you play everything and sing. I hear a variety of instruments. Spanish beats, I mean I can't say enough good things about you music. Org note me to tell me how I can get a cd or anything.

Gotta go to Vegas now.