Reading the 'Dots'

[Kenneve]

I suppose i have been playing keyboard/organ/piano for over 30 years and at times i still find some difficulty reading the 'dots', particularly in terms of getting note length correct and general timing errors.

To try to overcome these errors i recall something one of my teachers said many years ago and that was:-
"If you are not sure about the timing/length of a particular note or phrase, just think of how of you would sing it and apply the same timing to your playing"

I don't know whether that titbit of information is of any use to other members, all I can say is "It works for me", well I think it does.

[mikf]

I would go a step further and say that when playing popular music, you should think of it in phrases rather than single notes. Think of how you would sing the phrase and play it just like that.
Mike

[Kenneve]

Yes Mike, you are absolutely correct in what you say, your description is much better.