Monday, July 6, 2009

Spilling the Beans, Part Two - More on Music Reading

Last time we talked a bit about some of the secrets
that go into our Instant Piano seminars, and why the
method is effective. One such secret is the fact that
our method reduces the emphasis on note reading. And
that, I believe, requires some further clarification.
Namely:

1) There is nothing wrong with knowing how to read
music.
2) Knowing how to read music will enhance your
musicianship at almost every level.
3) Reading music can be a shortcut to learning.
4) But there is a steep learning curve.
5) And it can also be a crutch.

I believe that for popular music of all kinds, learning
to play by ear is superior to note reading. And the
worst part is that using your note reading skills, if
you have them, can suppress the development of your
ear.

Look at it this way. As a piano player (or as a
potential piano player) what's more important to you?
Creating beautiful music? Or demonstrating your reading
skills? They aren't the same skill, especially the
farther you get away from classical music.

With a lot of classical veterans, reading the music
notation quickly, accurately, skillfully seems to be a
larger concern than making the piano sound good. I
remember being caught in the trap in my younger days.
Then I learned I could listen to a piece of music and
start to recreate it. I began to rely on listening more
and more.

I found that when I came back from a piano lesson,
having the lesson recorded on a cassette tape was much
more valuable than what the teacher wrote down on a
piece of music paper. And that's one of the major
points I try to get across at my workshops.

Maybe we'll revisit this subject at a later time, but
in the mean time, if you have a question, comment or an
observation about reading versus listening, please
click on "comments" below.

12 comments:

  1. The better musicians amongst them, like Jimmy Buffett, possess massive and dependable enthusiast angles that not only pay attention to the background music of their chosen idol, however, these followers purchase the photos and single people, these people attend concerts as well as join fan nightclubs https://raphc.com/parrot-head-lifestyle-and-its-evolution/.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you are looking for the best Clothing women so here is one of the best leather jacket website from where you can get the best leather jacket designs and quality. visit to our website to get the best leather quality.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Assignments hold a very strong place and have various purposes in student’s life. Online assignment help us at various levels such as to think about all the perspectives and possibilities regarding a certain topic.

    ReplyDelete
  4. New Year is a festival that will be celebrated on 2022 1st of January each year and the starting of a new year according to each country except Muslims. Happy New Year 2022 Best Wishes You can enjoy according to his country and make your day happy by using these funny New Year memes that we have created his own for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey! my name is Lenaimra. I am working as a senior content writer to give my students . this is the platform where students can get best grades.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ramma foundation repair crew of experienced workers hand-dig all foundation and weeping foundation repair Edmonton tile projects to ensure maximum reliability of the repairs without the need for expensive machinery that runs the risk of property damage.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This choice will help you in finishing and presenting your composing task even with maybe some time to paper writer website spare effectively and serenely. You can get task help and direction from expert and master task authors online who have been making tiring scholastic undertakings for a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You don't take pressure how to get task composing help from us as a result of absence of cash. You can get Pay To Write My Assignment For Me UK online help from local journalists with practically no trouble in light of the fact that our rates are extremely affordable. Investigate the accompanying evaluating plan that will allow you to get master scholastic assessment and arrangements.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Smart Kitchens from Smart Renovation (Superior Living Group) is one of the most prominent luxury kitchen designand fit out project management companies in the United Arab Emirates.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A perfume range in perfect harmony with its surroundings, through cruelty free and sustainable manufacturing processes using only vegan and ethically-sourced ingredients, flowers, select oils and painstaking craftsmanship alone to deliver three unique styles.

    ReplyDelete
  11. These jackets come in several colors but usually are found in black leather. However, it is possible to find a leather jacket inn in brown, white, or red leather options

    ReplyDelete