Reading music and learning theory are tools that will allow you to become a better musician in less time.

Historically, there have been great speakers who could not read or write their native language and had no instruction for proper grammar. There are fewer of those exceptions now, simply because everyone is taught reading and grammar in school.

But for the vast majority of speakers, learning to read/write is essential to become excellent at it.

The same goes for reading music and learning theory.

Reading and theory are the ABC's and grammar of music.

There are always the exceptions that can play great music without learning to read or learn music theory.

But for the average to even above average musically talented musician, learning these skills give you a head start and will let you progress on your musical journey much faster than you would without these skills.

So in the long run if you learn these fundamentals, you will not only get better quicker, but you will get better than you would have without them, simply because you understand what you are playing more fully.

Even those exceptions we hear over and over again would have been even better if they learned these skills.

My neighbor was teaching herself the saxophone by ear. She learned how to finger the notes and how to blow into the horn.

I took her under my wing, not for money, but because we were friends. I taught her how to read, basic music theory, and had her memorize the more common scales.

It stalled her for some time, she didn't learn new songs, but then, she took off like a rocket.

She moved to New Orleans and later played in the NOLA Jazz and Heritage Festival in the Rockie Charles band. If she didn't learn to read and basic theory (reading is part of that) she never would have progressed to that point in so few years.

You can repeat the names of the famous exceptions all you want, but if you learn the basics, you will probably become a better musician quicker than you would without this knowledge.

I don't care either way. I think you should.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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