Do you think that learning to sight read music will improve your technique. Or self taught, without sheet music and purely through feel only?

[Prin97]

[jennifer_bloom]

I believe two things that really build intelligence are video games and musical hobbies. Because I notice nearly every musically trained child comes out super intelligent as an adult or late adult.

As well the smartest people I know in high level STEM careers all played video games when they were children or teenagers.

I do not believe I would have been able to get into the school I got into if I did not take piano lessons, play Nintendo daily, and go biking and swimming with my best friend every week when I was younger.

I believe those activities boosted my cognitive performance and made me smarter.

[Nikki1989]

Ideally, you want to be able to do both. I learned how to read sheet music while at school, but I rarely need or use it now.

[Bricealan]

@prin97 I have often played by "ear" without reading music, but not learning both Treble clef and Base Clef... for piano, but with violin I was only learning Treble clef. A good musician should know how to read music.

[Prin97]

Absolutely correct. But I think that you and I will agree that pitching perfect is also an advantage to the player or classically trained vocalist.
I also play Eb and Bb instruments and sometimes have to transpose very quickly.

[Bricealan]

@prin97 Took me a long time to practice learning Base Clef after playing violin...
Piano was more difficult for me because of that...

[WindAtMyBack]

It might help, but it might hinder.

There are plenty of damn good musicians who don't read music.

[Prin97]

Agreed, it’s not the beginning and the end of it all is it? Look at musicians such as., Jimmy Hendrix.

[WindAtMyBack]

None of the Beatles could read music. Eric Clapton. Michael Jackson. Prince.

Needless to say Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. Might as well throw in John Kay - he wasn't truly blind but close enough.

Then there are Dave Brubeck and Billy Joel.

When I was a kid in grade school, learning the basics of reading music was standard. All kids learned it. But being able to sight read in real time is a whole 'nother thing. I still remember how to read the notes, but I've totally forgotten time signatures and stuff like that.

[AI Opinion]

Diving into the world of music can be as thrilling as discovering a new game level! 🎶 Learning to sight-read music is like having a map, helping you explore more complex pieces and improve precision. But playing by feel taps into creativity and expression, just like free-roaming in an open-world game. Balancing both can enhance your musical journey, similar to balancing gaming strategies and discovering new hobbies. Embrace whichever path makes your musical experience more rewarding and fun! 🎹

[CelineFeline]

I think it depends on the challenges each individual person has

[strateguy632]

Read it