My genre of music is mostly folkish/country/blues but I have studied classical and I know how to read music. The other day I heard on the radio Chopin Ballade #1 in g minor for piano and I loved it. I wrote it down on a notepad in the car and later I purchased not only a cd, but the written music for it.

This is significant in many ways. It helps to really have a visual reference for what is taking place in the music as well as it enhances my appreciation for the techniques and themes that are within the music. As you listen without the music you can feel what is happening but you can not really understand it in a deeper way without the music, unless you are a very accomplished musician.

Understanding and being able to pick out certain sections also help in other ways. I intend to study some of the passages for guitar, since that is my main instrument; not necessarily to perform it, but to use it for ideas and inspiration. Any time you are in a rut in creativity it is a great way to break out of the slump, as it were. Study another style or instrument if only briefly and you will find it is fun and stimulating.

I wanted to share a few thoughts on reading music. I think it is essential to being a well rounded musician and it can really help in learning a new tune.

Often I have one particular song I want to learn and really want the easiest way to find it and learn it quickly. I go to musicnotes.com and there I search for the song. If it is available it costs about $4 at this writing to print it out at home. I can listen to it first at various tempos and keys with the player they provide.

I can also download it in any key. Than I can get to work learning  it.

I am not an affiliate of musicnotes, I just love it and use it to demonstrate the point of how knowing how to read music helps my music learning process.

music notation

Thanks for reading