Originally Posted By: raymb1
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: bobcflatpicker
Originally Posted By: 90 dB
I once knew a woman who played pedal harp in Eugene Ormandy's Philly Orch. She played beautifully. Take the sheet music away, and she couldn't improvise a note.


Which skill is more useful? That, obviously, is a matter of opinion. wink

I am of the opinion that if someone can play well and improvise, I don't care if they can read English. grin


I'm with you Bob. A music teacher once told me she couldn't play 2 bars of anything without sheet music in front of her.

I couldn't help but think she had no business teaching.



As am I.
My wife is an excellent pianist, providing she has sheet music in front of her. Take away the sheet music and she is lost. She is also lost with fake books. She needs everything notated.


Your wife's situation is the same as many of the world's best players who are in the world's best symphonies.



Yes I know. I was talking to a professional violinist who was trying to learn improvisation. She said that she attended an improvisation course and was floored when the instructor said "if you hit a wrong note heaven is a half step up or down"!

PS - the last time that I talked to her she said she still doesn't get improvisation.

Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware