The Relevance of Sightreading for Bass Guitar - maxproud channel

[ClassicsShow]

Hey Earl,

First off, I love your videos. Very entertaining and informative. I've learned a lot about bass-playing from you. But anyway, cool topic. I've thought about this one a lot. I've been reading music for five years now, for Treble Clef Euphonium (for the school band). Being a self-taught bassist, I have only grazed the surface of sight reading for bass guitar, but I can manage easy tunes. I do however, think that being able to read music is very relevant today and it will definitely ope

[maxproud]

@ClassicsShow Thanks for your input.

[mattyb3671]

Reading helps, but what really helps, IMO, is ANY learning you do. Even beyond music. Taking a class sounds very cool; I'm jellin'! Hey, if you haven't ever checked out Vic Wooten's book 'The Music Lesson'; I think, from 'knowing' you thru these vids, that you would really dig it. Here's the first chapter on audio: victorwootenDOTcom/themusicles­son. Really cool, deep stuff. Rock on! :)

[maxproud]

@mattyb3671 Thanks. Sound advice.

[mmusicmann1982]

Relax...Sight reading is good,But feeling and grooving is just as important...Listen to my Brother 11 coopbass...He has some great advice......

[maxproud]

@mmusicmann1982 Yes he does! Thanks.

[mmusicmann1982]

Hey Maxproud,I had one of my teachers(Dr.Allen) tell me that a lot of times ,if ur reading a chart ,it's just a guide line because composers writing this stuff are writing from the piano...I usually write chord changes in each measure.Learn the ensemble parts.(this is good especially if you only have a couple of days to learn without much rehearsal)..I learned if u feel the music,The band or session will flow even better than just reading note to note..If u can rehearse with the ensemble.Better.

[11coopbass]

Hey Dr. Maxproud, you'll do just fine. A famous musician once said; "PACE PRINCIPLE". Take your time and learn it "SLOW AND CORRECTLY". Do it like this. Start now and take your time everyday, just as you learn songs, you'll start getting the notes underneath your belt. Why not start now. Just get into it, you'll thank yourself in the long run. It's no rush, but start now. That's all. Hope this will encourage you my man. (smiles).

Coop'

Bass "4" Life :)

[maxproud]

@11coopbass I appreciate that, bro. Getting to know you has been wonderful. And believe me, I'm on it.

[11coopbass]

Hey Dr. Maxproud, here's the real deal. Reading is very important. Reading music helps you to get the job don't as quickly as possible. When you go into the studio, it helps you and your fellow musician get through the music faster. It don't take up a lot of time. You go into a studio, "KICK BUTT" and leave. That's it. Get those notes into you head,...BRUDDAH! Lol!

Coop'

Bass "4" Life :)

[maxproud]

@11coopbass Coop! I've tried semi-seriously to "get it" for over 30 years!! I'm finally taking a "real" stab at it now. What took me so long? Convenience! Laziness! More than likely. I just hope I'm not too late for whatever benefit it does!

[BrewskiBassist]

@maxproud You're definitely not too late. All the sudden what you're playing will make a lot more sense and your playing will improve.

[maxproud]

@BrewskiBassist 'Appreciate it, bro. Thanks.

[LeSaintPatrick]

And now for the real problem! Time keeping

Counting time, this where most players get lost and sheets, or lead sheets will help a ton! even for none readers! Seeing the chord changes on paper and knowing section 1/2/3 back 1/4 etc... Is really important. Playing, is not only feeling there are a lot of mechanics involved, changes, harmonies and time, have great influence. remember your in a band setting, this in practice stuff, I'm talking about, even if you just play for fun, and record at hom

[maxproud]

@LeSaintPatrick I like your input. You really thought well about this.

[MPSecare]

this is a good discussion \m/

[MPSecare]

and Also it makes me wonder how many of the millionaire musicians that we hear on the radio and TV can actually read music. Probably less than expected, and the ones we least expect! Like I remember reading in Bass player mag that Jason Newstead (ex Metallica) was one of the most musically trained and theory wise bassist around. The author said and I quote "Man, he can PLAY".

[maxproud]

@MPSecare Thanks for your input. I thought this would be a good discussion. Thanks for that info on Newsted. 'Didn't know that about him!

[MPSecare]

When I tool lessons as a teenager my teacher had me practice sight reading on classical pieces like Bach and Mozart. It was so hard... I'm still not good at it. I probably forgot everything. I am also an ear player. My mother can do the same on the piano tells me my grandfather could do the same. Runs in the family apparantly. But my mom can play any piece she reads. My grandfather couldn't.

The really frustrating thing for me was time signatures and keys. I never got it (more....)

[rvgilder]

Hey Earl,

Personally although I can read music I prefer to learn songs by ear because I believe that it is much more creative.

Thanks

[maxproud]

@rvgilder Does knowing to read enhance your creativity?

[rvgilder]

@maxproud Not really…Learning by ear enhances my creativity...

[maxproud]

@rvgilder Cool.

[LeSaintPatrick]

Continued....

As for playing and methods, it will not affect you as much as one might think. It will slow you down, maybe a little. Just because of the fact the more knowledge you have or learn, will get you further... But here comes a loaded answer, when it comes to time, first off tabs are garbage if you going to learn to read learn notation! It's easier despite what people think and it offers a clear indication of time subdevisions, and melodically seeing the melody go up and down is a lot

[LeSaintPatrick]

Hey Earl,

Simply put if your in a band that plays original music you don't need it! But, if you want to be a studio or session player; well, you have to! In the industry time is money, and when you sit down, tune up and put the head phones on your looking at two takes! And get it right. For hired gigs, you usually get the material before hand. But, remembering a whole set list by heart!!! Best be capable of reading!

[maxproud]

@LeSaintPatrick Good argument. Thanks.

[78superboss]

i just use tabs, way easier

[victorcapblanguet]

Hi max , in my professional experience i can say, it´s important to play by ear and it´s very important read music, and study a lot armony to be a professional player, i been study music during all my live, and now i finish my superior studies of double bass, i been working like a professional since i was 13 years old, and of course playing by ear give you feeling, but read help you a lot.

[spencer6800]

I think it depends on how you look at it. I personally think that sight reading isn't necessarily needed, but I think it definitely can improve anybody musically if they take to learning it with the attitude or determination to become a better musician. On the other hand, learning to sight read can make learning music a chore for some people. It depends on the person. I personally have never gotten into sight reading, and I'm a decent player. Learning to read would be good for my playing though

[maxproud]

@spencer6800 Was that experience a little intimidating for you?

[link3775]

I personally have struggled with this question myself. I came in to bass relatively late, and on the standup later still, but when i played double bass in high-school i couldn't read the music in front of me, because i have never been taught, or learnt how to read music. But for me i could get the "just" of how something should sound and be able to play to that, which i feel is the most important part, i mean the goal is to make it sound good, how you get there is done in more than one way,

-Mac

[tanbo15]

in my opinion it depends what part of the music universe or i guess "field" you're in, if you play with an ensemble or classical group, you definitely need to read, if you play for church or jam well you really need to learn how to read, either way i think its good to be educated in both. A musician who can do both is greatly sought after.

[maxproud]

@tanbo15 Agreed.

[nova2007]

Honestly I think sightreading is usually for music that is meant to play that way and it shouldn't be played with your own style like Classic music.

[BrewskiBassist]

Yes, sightreading and reading in general is important along with all the other theory. I believe that the current theory and reading system is the best and most efficient system of music. It also allows better communication between musicians. If you only know 3rd fret E string, 2nd fret A string, open D string, 3rd fret D string, oped G string, how are you going to communicate this to a musician not playing guitar or bass. If you know theory then you just say G7.

[maxproud]

@BrewskiBassist What do you think about "Tablature," does it have merit? Or is it a waste of time? It was always a little frustrating for me. It slowed things down with me.

[BrewskiBassist]

@maxproud The problem with tablature is that it only accomplishes half of the job of sheet music. It lacks a system of time and rhythm, so it requires you to mentally know the bassline rhythmically to learn the song. If you already know the rhythm of the bassline then you have it in your head, so why not just ear it. You can't sight read tabs, plus the fingerings they imply are often wrong.

[maxproud]

@BrewskiBassist You're right.

[bordinco90]

I think if you were a touring bassist who traveled with different bands I think this would be revelent.

[maxproud]

@bordinco90 Would it be beneficial to you at all.  Or to one who plays in a 'gigging' band?

[bordinco90]

@maxproud For me? No. But I was just saying for professional bassist that you see as a touring bassist for various singers. They would want to know how to read music.

[mastertung7]

i think it can definately can help,and not hurt,..its great to have in your music arsenal...and of course,playing by ear,is ..so much fun...

[maxproud]

@mastertung7 You know, that's probably the difference between 'schooled' players and 'non-traditionalist' players. The 'fun!'  "Fun" gets us to play, reading or not!

[bordinco90]

I do not know how, but I wish I did. I play mostly by ear.

[maxproud]

@bordinco90 Playing by "ear" tells you wanted it that "badly!" Traditionalism wasn't going to stop you, right? But if you wanted to "grow' in music, is music theory the way? O just playing your instrument more?