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| Author | Topic: specsavers can't help you on this one!! |
Sunny Jim
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2005 | posted: 6/15/2005 at 7:05:31 AM ET
hi wonderflute,
thanks, i'll have a look for them books. My guitar teacher can sight read a little, when he teaches me grade pieces (which have music and tab on) he teaches me the rhythm through notation. But even then i find it easier to memorise what he was playing, he told me i have a good 'guitarists' memory. Can you be an instrumental teacher without having the ability to sight read? I think when you can get to the stage of working out alot of music by ear you are talented good an propper, sadly i can't do it that well yet! i think that comes with time. I think music in general just takes time. If you were stuck on a desert island with an instument (knowing middle C) and had any piece of music i reckon you could play it. What is number 7 in your state? the seventh best?
thanks
| wonderflute
Registered User
From:
Mississippi
Registered:
7/2/2004 | posted: 6/15/2005 at 3:35:07 PM ET
Sorry, but seventh best of what? Also, my intention is in no way meant to be rude, but personally, I think that if you don't know how to sight-read, then you're not a musician. Don't get me wrong, I know some great people that play instrument very well by ear, but when they're put together to play with a musician, the musician has to transpose to what that person has learned only, because they can't read. It really is un-necessary. I can confidently say this because I've worked with someone who couldn't read when I could, and then I remember when I slowed others because I couldn't read. Anyway, I'm glad that you ask questions like this to avoid further mishaps I'm not an expert, but I'm getting there.
Thanks, Sunny Jim
I am only a speck upon another speck floating in a pool of galaxy
| trumpet guru
Registered User
From:
Washington State
Registered:
8/22/2003 | posted: 6/15/2005 at 10:22:47 PM ET
The best way to improve your sight reading is to do it daily.
Try to avoid reading things that challenge you at first. Read as much easy stuff as you can, and then gradually increase the difficulty.
Some general tips:
Editors group notes in groups of a beat (some times 2). The first note of the grouping is almost always on the beat. (even in very complex rhythms). This can help you decifer the tricky stuff.
Learn the counting and say it out loud with the subdivisions too ( 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and . . . . for eigth note based rhythms) then clap the written counting while saying the subdivisions.
My Grad School theory and comp teacher always told us to hear with our eyes, and see with our ears. It is the same mental process in reverse. If you work it from both sides it is better reinforced. There are software programs that play you a rhythm and have you write it out. This helps a lot.
Use play along recordings. They wont wait for you when you make a mistake. This helps you to keep moving.
Most colleges have what is called a TAP machine (or similar device) which has a systematic rhythm reading program. AWESOME!!!!
As for reading the notes,practice scales and patterns with music and follow with the eyes. Even stuff you know already. The key to profiicient reading is for your brain to do the work without you really thinking about it.
I read in 2 beats at a time. My brain processes the next thing I have to play while I am playing the current 2 beat pattern.
Your eyes end up moving ahead (just like when reading the end of one line of text and moving to the next line). Once I learned to do that things got even move comfortable.
As for not being a musician unless you can sight read . . . . . . . Nonsense!!!!!
There is an endless list of great musicians who could not sight read music. (think of the many blind musicians just for a start). Tons of Jazz musicians rose to the top of their field without reading even a little.
It is true that is is tough to make a living without good reading chops, and that any musician can improve by reading well. It is not true that literacy and artistry are always connected.
GOOOOOOROOOOOO
|  imnidiot
Registered User
From:
Ashley PA
Registered:
3/28/2005 | posted: 6/15/2005 at 10:48:08 PM ET
Excellent advice guru. The part about having to be able to read music is right on too. Before notation was developed, music was passed on from one person to another, and memorized. The two main advantages to sight reading are: first, being able to play anything written without having to pick it apart aurally, second, the ability to write what one composes.
I am a fragment of my imagination
| trumpet guru
Registered User
From:
Washington State
Registered:
8/22/2003 | posted: 6/15/2005 at 11:36:02 PM ET
the other advantage is that people will hire you to play . . . . .
Time is money, and the musician that can save time is a good investment.
Plus, there is nothing like the thrill of sitting down with someone and making beautiful music without any rehearsing.
GOOOOOOROOOOOO
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