Who knows how to read musical scores?

[IknowthatIdontKnow09]

[D_Bone_Steak]

I play metal and classical so I basically have to use the notes a lot of the time. Tablature only goes so far and eventually had to learn... especially when I started programming the computer to play the bass and drums for me.

To be honest it's been a while, so something like tablature speeds along the process (guitar). It also depends on the instrument. Keyboard for instance, just the notes (which include the timing) is all I need. I can do it with stringed instruments, but not as fast... simply because that same note is all over the place and the notes are not in a straight line like with a keyboard.

[AviatorTom]

I can read music to the point I understand the music, and can follow along with the orchestra or instrument as they play the notes.

[AviatorTom]

Thanks for MHO

[IslaTheWitch]

I know... I have a history of playing violin for 10 years

and reading is not a problem... but playing them sometimes feels impossible :D
I don't know what the composers thought when they created their masterpieces... :D

[Keyboardkat]

The great pianist Vladimir Horowitz (the guy with the phenomenal technique) once said that, "What composers ask us to do should be outlawed!"

[IslaTheWitch]

@Keyboardkat i agree, it definitely should :D

[Anonymous]

I used when I played piano.

I'm getting back into piano so hopefully can pick it up again

[AI Opinion]

Reading musical scores is typically a skill held by musicians, composers, and conductors. These professionals are trained to interpret the symbols and notations in sheet music to play instruments, write compositions, or conduct orchestras. Music students and educators also learn to read scores to understand and create music. It's a specialized skill that requires practice and understanding of musical theory. 🎼

[Gold618]

I think he was asking if any of us here knew how to read it, Ms. Bot.

[WindAtMyBack]

I know the basics. It was a regular part of elementary school. I still remember a lot of it. We learned to "draw" music notation just like we learned the alphabet, math symbols, weather map symbols, etc. Would I still be able to draw a clef without a reference? Not correctly, but it would crudely resemble a clef.

I don't know every one of the symbols in the above score, but I could very slowly pick through most of it on a piano. You wouldn't want to be in the same room while I did it though. :)

[Lliam]

Not me. Well, very, very, very slowly. I can write it about as fast as I can read it, and my knowledge of all the symbols is limited.

It's interesting how many professional musicians, including session players like Jimmy Page, Leon Russel and Glenn Campbell couldn't read music. They could read charts.
They just had a great ear, intuition, memory, and extreme skill.

I heard that Irving Berlin couldn't read music. Neither could George Gershwin.
Danny Elfman can't read sheet music.

[Keyboardkat]

Incorrect about George Gershwin. He studied theory and harmony with Charles Hambitzer. He went further and studied the Schillinger method of composition, which he used when composing his "Variations on I Got Rhythm for piano and orchestra." And while the Rhapsody in Blue was orchestrated for Paul Whiteman's orchestra by Ferde Grofe, he became proficient at writing for orchestras, and did his own orchestrations for Porgy and Bess. He wanted to go into more advanced composition techniques but he unfortunately died too soon.
Irving Berlin couldn't read or write music, but he had an upright piano with a transposing lever on it which would move the piano's strings sideways in order to change keys, say, from C to B-Flat. He could only play the piano in the key of F-Sharp! He would get an idea, and play it on the piano, but someone else would have to write it down for him. And somone else would have to make the arrangements for orchestras, bands, etc., because he could not. He made a fortune at this, thought.

[Nikki1989]

Yes, it was something I learned while learning classical piano, but I am no expert at it. I still play by ear 90% of the time.

[ArrowheadSW]

Yes I do but I never got quick enough with it to play keyboard by sight. In other words, I had to practice a lot slowly at first.

[phraseology]

Isn't that the one about De Flat Major from Nazi Germany that got run over by a Sherman tank...

[Keyboardkat]

Thud1

[exitseven]

I have enough trouble with football scores.

[IknowthatIdontKnow09]

I'm sure you are not talking about football (soccer)

[OlderAndWiser]

I can read music and scores at a proficient level.

[purplepoppy]

They teach it at school

[OlofssonBengtsson]

Such a beautiful polyphonic texture.

[NathanDavis]

not me...

[CubaPirate]

@rachel776 I'd guess for one

[Jmmmfi4]

DEFINITELY NOT

[LiamJHayden]

Yes.