Enhancing Your Musical Skill: How Reading Music Affects Ear Playing

Introduction

The age-old debate on the role of reading music versus playing by ear continues to be a subject of much discussion among musicians. While some argue that learning to read music can enhance a musician's ability to play by ear, others believe that it can inhibit it. This article aims to shed light on this intriguing relationship and provide clarity on the benefits of both approaches.

Reading Music: A Tool for Enhanced Musical Production

Learning to read music is often seen as a valuable tool for musicians, as it engages multiple areas of the brain. As mentioned in the article, this comprehensive engagement can enhance the overall musical production process. When musicians are aware of the notes, rhythms, and keys, they can better understand the underlying structures of the music, making it easier to recognize patterns and improve their ear training.

The Balance Between Reading Music and Playing by Ear

The only potential downside to reading music is that it might hinder the development of playing by ear if over-reliance on sheet music becomes the norm. However, the key is to strike a balance. If musicians practice restraint and regularly use their ears, they can avoid this pitfall. The article notes that for guitarists like the author, learning to read music helped in mapping out the fretboard, a skill that would not be required if they already had a strong understanding of keys and rhythms.

Enhancing Musicianship Through Combined Skills

It is also important to recognize that possessing both reading music and ear playing skills can significantly enhance a musician's overall musicality. The article suggests that the ideal learning process should follow a similar pattern to language learning: first, one learns to hear and speak the language through immersion and imitation, followed by the development of literacy. In the context of music, mastery of playing by ear precedes the acquisition of music reading skills.

The Role of Experiential Learning

Playing by ear requires a long-term, self-guided, and experiential learning process. While some classroom methods can contribute, the bulk of this development happens independently over many years. This individualized and experiential approach emphasizes the importance of consistent practice and immersion in music.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The relationship between reading music and playing by ear is not meant to be mutually exclusive. Instead, they are complementary aspects of a well-rounded musician's skill set. The ability to read music can enhance a musician's ability to play by ear, provided that the individual does not become overly reliant on sheet music. Moreover, the skills developed through playing by ear can improve the ability to read and interpret music, creating a virtuous cycle of learning and growth.

While the article suggests that some may advocate for "taking the paper out of music," this seems more like a misdirected effort to justify a lack of reading music skills. A more productive approach would be to embrace both reading music and playing by ear, recognizing the value that each brings to the development of a musician.