reading music

Hi,

I am a beginner and have a quick question. How essential is it to learn to read music, or will just being able to read tabs good enough to get me through (for the long term)?
Thanks.

Personally, I don't think I'd want to learn to play an instrument WITHOUT being able to read music. Even if it may be possible to do so. Music isn't just a string of notes, but it's a relationship of that string of notes. And understanding theory, and being able to read music helps you understand what music "is".

Now, that being said, some great musicians (including one of my favorites, Dean Martin) couldn't read any music.

Thank you for that. Here's a follow-up question. Is it reasonable to consider getting started playing guitar via tabs, and learn the theory/music reading along the way?

Originally Posted by: sungreenThank you for that. Here's a follow-up question. Is it reasonable to consider getting started playing guitar via tabs, and learn the theory/music reading along the way?

Well, I would think so, as I know several guitar players that can't read music at all, yet are still good players. I know that tab used to not be able to show things like tempo and intonation, but I think it can now with additional markings...

I'll let someone else comment on it, though. I've only been playing guitar for 1.5 months, but I play sax and sing, and could read music and knew theory very well before I started on guitar. I CAN tell you, though, that knowing music and theory seems to be making it a lot easier for me to learn guitar.

Originally Posted by: sungreenHi,

I am a beginner and have a quick question. How essential is it to learn to read music, or will just being able to read tabs good enough to get me through (for the long term)?
Thanks.

It is absolutely non-essential. It depends on your goals and interests. As a guitar player, you will find theory very helpful, but I don't find a real requirement to musical score. It could be useful in certain circumstances, but it is not necessary to read music be able to play it.

I agree with Razbo, It depends on your interests, I think at the beginning stage The most important thing to learn is Chord Shapes, Chord Changing, and Keeping time to a metronome. That should take your mind off reading music for awhile.If you are planning on becoming a Professional Musician, Session guitarist, or Songwriter for hire, than it would be important to learn to read. But focusing on the chord shapes and changes as well as keeping time will give you the quickest results. Tab is everywhere and easy to understand.

I'll just share my exprience. I started playing in the 5th grade. Took lessons until 8th grade. My teachers would try to teach me theory and how to read, but as a kid I didn't want to bother with the extra "homework" of learning that. So all I learned was tabs. Fast forward to today (I'm 24, so about 13 years later) and I regret not learning theory. Sure I have gotten by these many years with just tabs, like people mentioned, there are guitar legends out there who don't know theory or how to read music. But now I WANT to learn it, but it is harder since I'm a little older and now have to balance my time between other things.

So I say learn it and start early. You can't regret knowing theory, but you CAN regret NOT knowing it.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801
So I say learn it and start early. You can't regret knowing theory, but you CAN regret NOT knowing it.

This is true enough! I am making a distinction between learning theory and reading musical score, and I know you've been doing some interesting things, so do you actually find you are reading score to any extent?

Originally Posted by: RazboThis is true enough! I am making a distinction between learning theory and reading musical score,

And, actually, I DIDN'T really make that distinction in my answer. I was more talking about theory than just reading score when I mentioned "relationships" of music. Chords, triads, intervals, etc. Personally, I really think any musician playing any instrument (including voice) should at least be able to READ music. Not even the fancy stuff. But, to look at a note on the staff and say, "that's a G#", and to know time signature and tempo...

Again, this is just my opinion, but being a musician and not being able to do at least that to me would be like....being a literary critic and not being able to read. Sure, you can have someone read it TO you and do your job, but...

I have been slacking on how much I practice to read music so I'm still in the first position trying to get it down solid. Sharps and flats make me stumble a bit too.

As far as which to learn, I personally see it the opposite of what you said samata. To me theory is the more important one. Sure you can learn to read perfectly, but that doesn't mean you understand what you are reading. Anyone can be trained to look at a note and know what it is or where it is on the fretboard, but learning theory is much more than that. It's what ties everything together with sound and how you play.

No. no....I don't disagree with that. That's what I was talking about in the previous post. I just meant you should at LEAST be able to read, in the context of being able to read music vs ONLY reading tab, which was the original point of the thread. I will learn some classical pieces with tabs, but I'll ONLY get music that also has music notation above so I can follow.

I agree with you 100%. In fact, I'm part of a professional choir, and I'm being reminded that they are not even independent of each other. The scores are so complex and in multi-part that reading music and "blending" music is the same thing. I'm pretty good at reading too, but this is challenging me...I had to ask someone what a time signature of: "2/4 (3/8) " meant last rehearsal! lol

Now that the dust has settled, here is the long and short of it. I'm 56, starting out at the very beginning - no music training - nothing. I am just starting to learn guitar - simply for the enjoyment of it. And yes, I certainly understand that in an ideal world, intimate knowledge of music theory(and reading) is the best.
Having said that, I was hoping that lacking this (important) knowledge would not be a HUGE impediment to the pleasure of learning guitar.

Well, if THAT is the case....

I'd say enjoy the beauty of making music in WHATEVER way you have to, and worry about learning theory and reading later. :)

Originally Posted by: sungreen
I am a beginner and have a quick question. How essential is it to learn to read music, or will just being able to read tabs good enough to get me through (for the long term)?

Reading music is not absolutely necessary; but is an invaluable skill.

I suggest to people that are only interested in playing guitar as a hobby or on an amateur level it is not necessary to be able to sight read music notation, but it is good to at least be able to read and understand the information in music notation.

Sight reading is a very specific, highly specialized skill in it's own right.

If you are only interested in playing music as a hobbyist, then you only need to be able to read music to understand what the symbols mean in case you are learning a song via sheet music. Not necessarily to be able to sight read your way through a piece, though.

Best of success.

Originally Posted by: samataWell, if THAT is the case....

I'd say enjoy the beauty of making music in WHATEVER way you have to, and worry about learning theory and reading later. :)

That is definitely an option. I think CSchlegel pointed out some good things though. You gotta think about what you want to do with guitar. If you want to make a career out of it, then yes, I'd say you better start learning anything and everything you can. If it is just a hobby, you don't need to know the ins and out completely.

Either way, I'd say you should at least learn how sheet music works. You don't need to know what the notes are, but timing is the main thing that you need from sheet music. Tabs only tell you the frets. Sheet music tells you when to play them.

In the end, it just matters where you want to go with guitar. Theory and sight reading are just more tools that you can use. It takes a lot of work and time to learn how to use those tools though, so you have to make the decision on if it is worth it to you. You can still get by without knowing either.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801 Tabs only tell you the frets. Sheet music tells you when to play them.

Doesn't the newer tab notation have line markings that tell you tempo and note value too??

(that was a question, not a rebuke... :) )

Though, I know there is more to score than just pitch and tempo....

Ya there are more detailed tabs out there, but the majority are still just numbers. The minimum you need to know to play a song is what notes to play and when.

Thoughts on it much appreciated. By the way, after two weeks, I am on chapter 4, basic course - level 1, and am thoroughly enjoying it (due to your first rate teaching).

Cheers.

Originally Posted by: sungreenThoughts on it much appreciated. By the way, after two weeks, I am on chapter 4, basic course - level 1, and am thoroughly enjoying it (due to your first rate teaching).

Cheers.

I am assuming this is aimed at me. If I am wrong, please correct me. :)

Glad you are enjoying the GT learning process. Reading music notation is covered in GF2 Chapter 4:

http://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=2

We made a point of covering the essentials but clearly & concisely. Enjoy!

Yep, Christopher, that was directed to you. I certainly understand that their are many methods/ways of teaching guitar - you have put together a great lesson package. Anywho, looking forward to GF2 (like to finish it next spring).

Cheers