Read Music

[elad770]

I read notes but never play with notes!

I found that if you play with notes you have to know the notes at a level that is compared to speaking language: In other words if you are fluent in English, for example, you don't think much on how and what you speak and even if you do it doesn't take much of your processor (your brain). However, if you read notes at a novice or even average + level it will take away from the expressiveness of the performance, NO DOUBT! Your play will sound very robotic and mechanic. So my take on it is:

If you want to learn how to play with notes - learn it thoroughly! if you can't learn at that level, play by ear. Over time when you play by ear, you will detect certain patterns of music and be able to recall notes and chords more easily!

[jerryghr]

Here are 5 great benefits of learning to read music:

1. You Become a More Diverse Musician
If you can read music, you can learn to play an incredible array of musical styles, and fast! From classical and jazz, to country and blues, having a varied repertoire of musical styles up your sleeve will make you a better player and a better composer, because you'll be familiar with a wider range of playing styles and techniques.

2. You can Play with Others
If you plan to play with other musicians, then the ability to read music could be essential. Sheet music keeps everyone in time, and helps avoid confusion.

3. You can Write Down Compositions
Learning to read sheet music is like learning a new language, and soon enough you can use this language to communicate your own ideas. Composing musical ideas as sheet music will allow you to share and play original compositions with others.

4. You can Remember Music more Easily
Learning a piece of music from sheet music will most likely help you remember it better. When you play, you can use those little black dots to visualise the music moving up or down in pitch, and slowing down or speeding up. And, if you do forget, you don't have to rely on someone else to remind you.

5. To Reach your Musical Potential
Being a confidant sight reader will only assist you in reaching your full musical potential. It's liberating, not constrictive. Some musicians worry that playing from sheet music results in a mechanical sound. That may be true the first or second time around, but with practice, your own unique playing style will come through. Remember, you have to learn the rules before you can break them.

[stephenm52]

5. To Reach your Musical Potential
Being a confidant sight reader will only assist you in reaching your full musical potential. It's liberating, not constrictive. Some musicians worry that playing from sheet music results in a mechanical sound. That may be true the first or second time around, but with practice, your own unique playing style will come through. Remember, you have to learn the rules before you can break them.

I read music and used to be better at sight reading piano solo sheets as the years passed and I played more arranger(s) than I did piano solo, I lost some of that ability.    I can easily sight read any lead sheet for the arranger and play a tune immediately.  To perfect play it does take some repetition.   I for one of am the mind set you can definitely play expressively and not mechanically reading music especially when it comes to playing piano solo.     

Going back to the 70s when I studied piano my teacher always drove home the fact that anyone can just read and play the notes the "key is to play expressively and with emotion." I strive to do that today.