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Author Topic: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?  (Read 1378 times)

Offline cogicguy

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Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« on: February 21, 2006, 01:34:04 PM »
I'm new to the bass, just started a few months ago, about 7 months. I'm taking bass lessons currently, but all I know is what I've learned. So I was just wondering is it better to learn to play by ear or stick with the lesson?
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Offline djgroovin

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2006, 02:58:45 PM »
IMO...it's best to learn from as many angles as possible.  At least that is my personal approach.  One mistake that I was making was just focusing on lesson stuff and theory.  Make sure you take the time to play with CD's and other people, even if they are better than you.  This will really advance your learning curve.
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Offline MikeGee

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2006, 03:16:44 PM »
I agree with DJ,
Let's say you play with a band and you are handed sheet music you have to learn and play this song tomorrow. You spent the last 4 years playing by ear. What are you gonna do? What if it's vice-verca?

Further more what if you are handed the chord chart, and then asked to create something.
My point is the same a DJ as many possibles ways to learn a song.

Now I'll answer your question neither is better, the both have advantages and disadvantages.
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Offline cogicguy

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2006, 05:12:00 PM »
Yeah I feel where ya'll are coming from. I guess I cant lose too much by learning something new. So I'll continue to take lessons, and plus continue to let the Lord bless my ear skills
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Offline BassMan2000

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2006, 05:20:36 PM »
The gigs I do is all about hearing.  I do live music and it's all about the feel. I don't do studio work so! I really don't work on site reading.  I do read music and it's helps, but my ear is what helps me the most.
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Offline Groovesmith

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2006, 06:17:59 PM »
Its like the other guys were saying learn from as many angles as you can being able to reading and having theroy will help you ear, becasue when you know what the next note is from theroy it all fall into place.  Its like if you in the key of C and you learning a song by ear from being able to read and having theroy you'll know what the possible notes can be from that scale, major, minor all the different modes as well.


Groovesmith
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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2006, 10:25:54 PM »
    i am knew also only 8months working hard at church of god in christ here in denver getting the praise on  . i  found that if you have a n ear blessed i played piano and flute mother played piano in church for years piano in home uncle played bass upright in kansas city for years  your back is important to hear sharps and flat note   book to buy teach your self bass guitar with CD i found very good  and  keep taking lessons i am taking lessons for a bro the plays bass in another church of god here in denver

bro gray 
denver colorado 
be  blessed ;)
Quote from: cogicguy on February 21, 2006, 01:34:04 PM
I'm new to the bass, just started a few months ago, about 7 months. I'm taking bass lessons currently, but all I know is what I've learned. So I was just wondering is it better to learn to play by ear or stick with the lesson?
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Offline Miss_V

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2006, 12:19:16 PM »
I think a both playing by ear and reading are very important.  I've been playing by ear for 4 years and last month I started taking lessons for reading and theory.  My bass teacher also plays in the church so he helps me to understand and incorporate all the technical stuff into playing by ear.  I definitely think knowing how to read can set a musicain apart from the rest.  Some gigs may require you know how to read a chart so you dont (and I know I dont  :o) want to miss out on an opportunity because I do not know how to read.   
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Offline H2_Ro56

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2006, 05:13:03 PM »
I think a lil' of this and a lil' of that works wonders.

Although I've played mainly by ear a greater portion of lifetime...I still manage to read chord charts if the
situation calls for it.  I'm still a bit rusty (squeaking sound :D) with my sight reading skills but I do what is
neccessary.

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Offline fretai03

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2006, 08:27:27 PM »
I've played bass all of my life by ear and its made me realise...


It is great to play by ear... It's even better when you can play by ear while reading music! :D
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Offline mr.dj

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2006, 08:55:04 AM »
If you learned both you will be very versatile.
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Offline jazzcad

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2006, 08:16:25 AM »
I started out with only sightreading and regret that I did not develop my ear eariler in life. Keep a good balance and you'll do fine.
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Offline bigblackdrummer

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Re: Is it better to play by ear or by reading music?
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2006, 10:11:17 PM »
If you want to work you had better know how to do both! Only a fool will tell you to only learn one or the other!!!!!
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