ToonaRockGuy wrote: Like I said, especially to the kids out there...learn to read music, and take some classes in theory. You'll get a whole lot farther in your musical journey.
so true. i was learning a lot by ear. but over the summer i fortunately had someone teach me some music theory. made my leads improve a ton!! and it humbled me on the same token - i thought i knew a lot, i barely knew anything i'm still not sure about reading music though.
Kayla, imagine the little bit you learned about theory multiplied by a million. That's the difference between not reading music and reading music. When you can read, the entire music world opens up to you. Is it easy? No, it's not. It takes constant practice. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Short story: When I was in school back home in Michigan, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend one of the best performing arts school systems in the Midwest. One of the requirements for playing drums was that you had to have two years of piano lessons, which I did not. However, I had been playing violin since age 5. I got to play drums and percussion as long as I kept playing violin, which I did through my senior year. To this day, I can still sit down and read almost anything. I understand theory, and can suss out most song forms quickly. It's also given me the ability to contribute to the songwriting process in NailDriver, where I can suggest notes and chords that I hear in my head that may work alongside what Scott, Scott and Todd are playing.
Bottom line: If you have the passion to do nothing but play guitar (which you do), and you can read, there isn't a gig in the world you can't get. If you can't read, you'll still have a good career, but about 75% of the doors you want to open will be locked to you. Don't be scared of it. Give it a shot! And remember...reading tab is not reading music.
ToonaRockGuy wrote:
Bottom line: If you have the passion to do nothing but play guitar (which you do), and you can read, there isn't a gig in the world you can't get. If you can't read, you'll still have a good career, but about 75% of the doors you want to open will be locked to you. Don't be scared of it. Give it a shot! And remember...reading tab is not reading music.
its definitely an option. i may have to wait a few months once my schedule calms down. so i can focus on it. any suggestions on where and/or who i could learn to read music from ??
I would check in to lessons with Ric Criste at Music Emporium. Ric is a great guitar player, and I'm willing to bet he can help you with both theory and reading. Reading isn't that hard, it just takes a lot of practice.
i'm still not sure about reading music though.
