There are always exceptions to the rule, and the exceptions do not disprove the rule.

For every famous musician who cannot read music, you will find hundreds who can. Plus if the learned to read music and music theory they would have gotten to their highest peak sooner and surpassed what they could do without those skills.

Plus your list is padded.

Irving Berlin could read music, but only in one key. He had a transposing piano so he could play in any key.

Ray Charles could read Braille music. I played with a blind person who could, he would have to pass his hand over the page, and what he passed his had over had to be committed to memory so he cold play both hands on the piano.

How about Frank Sinatra? Barbra Striesand? Bing Crosby? Bing Crosby? Michael Jackson? How many singers read music? (Not enough IMO).

Miles Davis could read, but could not sight-read (there is a difference) and I suppose others on the list might be the same way.

I always get amused at people who try to defend not reading music and/or not learning theory.

To balance your list, the entire semi-pro Space Coast Orchestra is much bigger than that list and they all can read.

The Atlantic Classical Orchestra is bigger than that list and they can read.

The local high school band has more members than that list and they all can read.

Insights and incites by Notes

Last edited by Notes Norton; 01/25/19 04:52 AM.
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