Reading Music

[ghodaddyyo]

I just bought a book published by the Musicians Institute in LA on Music Reading for Guitar. Anyone have any reviews or comments on this book? The book claims it will take about 1 year to absorb, at a rate of 1/2 hr. a day, 4-5 days a week, and constant effort must be maintained afterward so that you do not lose what you've learned.
This sounds sooo daunting, as it cuts into my practice time.http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

Do any of you have any tips to keep me motivated in my study? Any alternative ideas to reading music? Words of encouragement will be appreciated!http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

[MrSamson]

I have reading requirements like that for grad. school.

I recommend Vodka or Crown Royal.

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif

[Strat-n-Paul]

I think this goes back to the "addiction" thread; Take 5 or 6 diet pepsi's (insert favorite caffine beverage here) and call me in the morning!
Yea, ghodaddyo, it can be kind of daunting; I grew up in the late sixties early seventies in a small town in Iowa, where there was no one to teach guitar, (before the information explosion) I learned to play totally by ear, hell, I didn't even know the names of the notes a chords for amost a year! I've tried and go back to learn the "theroy basic's" and it's been tough, as it seems that sometimes I'm going backwards. And I read stuff like "eddie vanhalen can't read, SRV couldn't read music, and so forth. And I start thinking, man they were/are great, maybe I don't need too....but then I think, how much greater would they be if they could? But your right, it's hard to find time....

[Josh]

Some one once said reading music is like sex... it's nice but do we really need it? the answer: hell yeah! The great thing is that the musician doesn't always have to read music. Just the guys from the publishing companies and guitar magazines that get paid to notate the songs.

[This message has been edited by Josh (edited April 26, 2000).]

[StoneDragon]

I was fortunate when it came to learning to read music that I decided to join the school band in 6th grade. I got stuck playing the trumpet http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

What I didn't realize at the time was that learning to read music was very valuable... there is soooo much music available that you will only get to experience if you know how to read (like that Bach piece (http://www.zentao.com/guitar/lesson8/music.html) I put in lesson 8).

Aside from that, having to understand note values relative to the time signature and tempo instilled a deep sense of rhythm in me right from the very beginning. Playing with a good drummer early on helped to cement that sense of rhythm and timing.

Too many musicians (especially guitar players) spend all there time trying to learn fancy licks but have no idea how those licks fit in with the beat of the music.

When it comes to learning how to read, I think that people (especially guitar players) need to distinguish between reading music and sight reading. Sight reading is the ability to instantly play a piece of music at first sight (ie... never having seen the piece of music before the moment you begin to play it). Guitar players love to throw the term sight reading around like they know what they are talking about and it is something that you must learn to do. This is pure balogna!!!!

The only person who must have this level of ability is someone who is planning on hiring out as a session musician like Tommy Tedesco (one of the founding fathers of the Musician's Institute). These guys are expected to show up for a film scoring job or commercial jingle gig, be handed a piece of music and get it right on the first take. The rest of us have the luxury to look over the music and figure out the fingerings at our own pace.

Reading music is just like anything else... you have to do it in order to keep the skills fresh. Tab is probably the worst thing that ever happened to music reading skills, but all tab shows you is the fingering... if you want to know how the notes fit, you gotta read the music.

The best thing you can do is grab some music and READ it. Look at the key signature and time signature, try to understand the note values that are used and how they set up the rhythmic feel in each measure, get a metronome and work those note values out against the click click click.... pretty soon you will find yourself understanding a lot about the nature of music and rhythm.

One of my favorite pictures is one of Igor Stravinsky hunched over, studying a conductor's score... he's so engrossed that he doesn't even realize his picture is being taken.

BTW... I'm pretty sure that Eddie Van Halen knows how to read music. He and his brother were trained on piano at an early age.



[This message has been edited by StoneDragon (edited April 26, 2000).]

[ghodaddyyo]

Thanks Stone, I figured a metronome would help so I went out and bought one at lunch.
The book I bought explained almost exactly what you said about sight reading vs. music reading. They also went on to say, that sight reading can be obtained through the practice of music reading. Sort of like the Jedi master of music wouldn't you say? All I know is I have a long road ahead of me. I wouldn't mind being a jingle writer at all, I just hope I can obtain those skills before arthritis sets in!

[MrSamson]

I need to get on this ship....

[StoneDragon]

ghodaddyyo,

That is another good way to learn reading.... writing!!!

You should check into some music writing software.... I know you can download a demo of Finale (which is what I use)... you can't save or print anything but you can enter note values and have the program play what you entered. That would be an excelent way to get "on the ship".
www.codamusic.com (http://www.codamusic.com)

[This message has been edited by StoneDragon (edited April 26, 2000).]

[MrSamson]

Originally posted by ghodaddyyo:
Thanks Stone, I figured a metronome would help so I went out and bought one at lunch.

Have you ever used a metronome before...like earlier in life when practicing on a regular basis...not necessarily to figure out standard notation timing...but working with scales...or whatever?

Or is this the first time incorporating metronome into regular practice?

I am just curious....

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[ghodaddyyo]

When I first started playing, I learned through tab books along with records and tapes for timing. After years of that, I developed a pretty decent ear and could figure out songs by listening to the recordings. At this point, I only listened to one style of music(heavy metal), so certain chord progressions became very recognizable. I didn't have timing problems until I began experimenting with other styles of music. When I first joined a band, the other members were pretty impressed by my ability to stay in time so I guess playing along to recordings is what did it for me. Until recently, I have never played with a metronome. I just tapped my foot.

I think when you learn by ear, your ear develops the ability to single out and lock in on whatever instrument you want. I would slowly figure out the notes to a solo, work them up to speed, and then lock in on the drums & bass to play the solo in time.

[StoneDragon]

playing along with the recording is a great way to learn things like timing and pitch recognition. Back in the olden days before tab that was the only way you could learn any cool songs. If you wanted to nail that certain lick, you had to sit there and listen over and over again until you could nail it right in time with the recording.

When I first learned the E minor pentatonic scale, I threw every song that I knew was in E (mostly Judas Priest) onto the record player and practiced throwing in my own licks and solos. There's nothing like cutting your teeth while jamming along with the greatest bands.

[sonic931]

Cuts into your practice time?
I cant think of a more productive
way to start each days guitar
regiment.(I know what you mean,
you wanna be able to get as much
hands-on wailing in as possible)
I'm tellin ya man, you wont regret
putting the time into learning how
to read.I'm not familiar with the book
you mentioned but I personally found
the Berkley Guitar series very helpful.