{"id":17483,"date":"2024-06-10T15:29:05","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T22:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=17483"},"modified":"2024-06-11T11:32:28","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T18:32:28","slug":"how-important-is-reading-sheet-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-important-is-reading-sheet-music\/","title":{"rendered":"How Important is Reading Sheet Music?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Traditionally, classical piano lessons emphasize notation. But you may have heard that world-class musicians like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicfm.com\/discover-music\/famous-musicians-who-cant-read-music\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Beatles and Taylor Swift<\/a> never learned how to read music. So how important is reading sheet music, really?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a big question! So we asked people who work with music every day. The following are interviews (edited for length and clarity) with the musicians who work behind the scenes at Pianote. We hope you\u2019ll find their answers fascinating and inspiring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#kevin-castro\">Kevin Castro, Media Manager<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#helene-crowley\">H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Crowley, Publishing Specialist<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#georgy-manterola\">Georgy Manterola, Social Media Manager<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#richard-charter\">Richard Charter, Transcription Specialist<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#charmaine-li\">Charmaine Li, Content Marketing Strategist<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#lisa-witt\">Lisa Witt, VP of Pianote<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Get exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><small><i>By signing up you\u2019ll also receive our ongoing free lessons and special offers. Don\u2019t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.<\/i><\/small><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kevin-castro\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Kevin Castro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job:<\/strong> Media Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig:<\/strong> Touring pianist and keyboardist<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Educational Background:<\/strong> Initially taught by dad, who is a pianist. Quit because he didn&#8217;t want to practice. Picked up piano again as a teen, crash-coursed himself with YouTube tutorials and theory books, and earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz and contemporary popular music.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05100152\/reading-music-kevin-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05100152\/reading-music-kevin-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05100152\/reading-music-kevin-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05100152\/reading-music-kevin-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05100152\/reading-music-kevin-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever I hear music, I see it in my head written as sheet music.This has helped me when it comes to transcribing, because that was my first gig at Pianote: transcribing Jes\u00fas Molina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to gigging, it\u2019s really important to be able to read music. At least learn how to read the melody. This will inform your decisions when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/chord-voicings-101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voice leading<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-arrange-a-song-reharmonization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to arrange the song<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a very fundamental skill for a piano player. I was always told you shouldn\u2019t alienate yourself from job opportunities (like musical theater, pit band, or accompanist) by not knowing how to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve always struggled with this because I think it\u2019s extremely important to read music\u2026but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s the only thing you should do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think too many people get into a box in their head where all they can do is read sheet music. It\u2019s a great skill to have! But breaking out of that box becomes harder once you\u2019ve ingrained that into yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s a make-or-break thing. Try to find the balance between working on sight-reading and the things that make you happy when you play piano (sight-reading does not bring me joy\u2014that\u2019s my honest answer!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I would encourage people to explore different types of sheet music, such as sheet music with the chord names on top. Or try singing the melody while playing the chords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s more than one way to read sheet music. And there&#8217;s more than one way to play piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"helene-crowley\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Crowley<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job:<\/strong> Publishing Specialist<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig:<\/strong> Plays piano and guitar for fun and sings in a local choir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education:<\/strong> Started playing at four or five. Completed RCM 8 and Advanced Rudiments exams. Studied piano, music history, and theory at Laurier University. Holds a Master&#8217;s in musicology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05102811\/reading-music-helene-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05102811\/reading-music-helene-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05102811\/reading-music-helene-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05102811\/reading-music-helene-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05102811\/reading-music-helene.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s-1\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My job is making sure there are no mistakes in the notation we publish, so if I didn\u2019t know how to read music, it would be really hard to do my job! And I like to play through the sheet music if I\u2019m looking for errors because it\u2019s the easiest way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my choir now, it\u2019s a lot of sight-singing. Which I think is a lot harder than sight-reading on the piano! I learned solfege in my undergrad and I use those skills for choir too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music-2\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I know people who don\u2019t read music and are excellent musicians. It depends on what you want to do: if you want to play in an orchestra, you should probably know how to read music. If you want to play in a band, you probably don&#8217;t need to but reading chords and understanding chord progressions would help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think if you want to be a well-rounded musician, have a little bit of everything. But it\u2019s not like an old dog can\u2019t learn new tricks. Anyone can work on any of these skills at any point in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks-3\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on your ear training. Understanding intervals changed my entire relationship with reading music. And there are lots of resources online: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teoria.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teoria<\/a> is a great website!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"georgy-manterola\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Georgy Manterola<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job: <\/strong>Social Media Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig: <\/strong>Co-founder of Arietta Entertainment, gigging pianist\/keyboardist and piano teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education:<\/strong> Started piano lessons at age 7. Attended a conservatory (ESMDM) for four years, then studied with Natalia Tibets for five years, competing in national youth contests. Played in musical theatre plays, participated in composition contests, and learned multiple music genres \u201cin the streets\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-683x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/10145542\/JPEG-image-509EC9AAA2F3-1.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s-4\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading music helps me verify song tutorials, technique exercises, and arrangements before posting on Pianote\u2019s socials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At my agency, we rarely use sheet music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music-5\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I think it comes down to the genre you\u2019re playing. For classical and musical theater, it&#8217;s essential. Jazz musicians use it for transcriptions, but in rock or pop, it&#8217;s less common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think it\u2019s very useful for musicians to start ear training from an early age, because the perfect balance is to have both these abilities develop at the same level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks-6\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lisa\u2019s acronyms are a great starting point. So check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gEI7uYOCQXo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sight-reading tutorial on YouTube<\/a>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read sheet music with the music playing. I think seeing that relationship of when notes go high or low is very helpful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with a piece you love. There are many simplified versions of everything so you don\u2019t have to study Clementi if it bores you! Go ahead and study John Legend but with sheet music. It\u2019ll be a nice experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"richard-charter\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Richard Charter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job: <\/strong>Transcription Specialist<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig: <\/strong>Gig musician and composer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education: <\/strong>Grade 10 RCM, Bachelor&#8217;s degree in piano performance, Master&#8217;s degree in music composition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05105113\/reading-music-richard-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05105113\/reading-music-richard-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05105113\/reading-music-richard-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05105113\/reading-music-richard-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05105113\/reading-music-richard.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s-7\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m looking at music scores constantly! I compare what other musicians have done, try it out, and see what works. And as much as my goal is to transcribe almost exactly what I&#8217;m hearing, that doesn&#8217;t necessarily translate to what&#8217;s most playable for a student or what fits the hands nicely, or what&#8217;s most pianistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I have a much stronger <em>ear<\/em> as a musician than an <em>eye,<\/em> and that obviously comes in handy for this job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music-8\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be really beneficial depending on your musical interests. Anything in the classical tradition is a cultural project that requires reading music to participate in. And presently, there isn\u2019t a methodology that teaches the classical canon without notation (I\u2019d be curious to see if anyone\u2019s attempting to do that!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also the case for anyone interested in being a gigging musician. Different ensembles have different standards, but I think your ability to enter into that world would be made easier with the ability to read notation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks-9\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend people take daily time to read music. I try to sit down and sight-read as often as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t allow yourself to stop. Something I did when I used to teach piano was cover up each measure as the student was playing, forcing them to keep moving!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"charmaine-li\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Charmaine Li<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job: <\/strong>Content Marketing Strategist<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig: <\/strong>Plays piano for fun and takes jazz piano lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education: <\/strong>Began private lessons at age six. Holds RCM Associate diploma. Picked up guitar as a teenager. Currently taking jazz lessons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05111804\/reading-music-char-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05111804\/reading-music-char-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05111804\/reading-music-char-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05111804\/reading-music-char-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/05111804\/reading-music-char.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s-10\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I describe my job as making our pages as visible on Google as possible. For example, if someone asks Google \u201cwhat is a dominant 7th chord,\u201d I write content that answers that question. Knowing how to read notation definitely helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But at Pianote specifically, we use chord symbols a lot. I didn&#8217;t learn that in my classical piano lessons; I learned that stuff from guitar. And that&#8217;s knowledge I use every day at this job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music-11\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are things I can\u2019t do that people who can\u2019t read music <em>can <\/em>do, and to be honest I envy them! I can\u2019t recreate melodies by ear first try. And jam sessions give me anxiety because I feel untethered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And honestly, playing by ear, improvising, and jamming is what music is all about. So if all you can do is read sheet music, you\u2019re missing out on a lot of what music has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But knowing how to read notation is super convenient. I can play most things put in front of me if it&#8217;s not too hard, and that&#8217;s super handy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks-12\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of music as a language. In Western music tradition, notes are letters that make up chords, which are words. Patterns like sequences, scales, and arpeggios are sentences. And theory is the grammar system music is built on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like learning languages, the more you practice the better you get. So be patient. It takes time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lisa-witt\"><strong>Lisa Witt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pianote Job: <\/strong>VP of Pianote<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Gig: <\/strong>100% focused on Pianote now, but used to gig and play at church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Education: <\/strong>RCM Grade 8, church bands, and mostly self-taught.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13103403\/lisa-witt-about-the-team-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13103403\/lisa-witt-about-the-team-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13103403\/lisa-witt-about-the-team-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13103403\/lisa-witt-about-the-team-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/13103403\/lisa-witt-about-the-team.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"how-does-knowing-how-to-read-music-help-you-in-your-job-s-13\"><strong>How does knowing how to read music help you in your job(s)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though I generally don&#8217;t read music as a part of my day-to-day, I still have to communicate in the language of music because I&#8217;m in this professionally. I have to teach people to understand music, and being able to read music gives you that language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"in-your-opinion-how-important-is-knowing-how-to-read-music-14\"><strong>In your opinion, how important is knowing how to read music?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I think it&#8217;s fully optional. My belief is that you don&#8217;t need to read music to play music. I would argue that in some cases not being able to read music is a blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning to read music was extremely difficult. I hated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But. I now make the choice to sit down and read music. I think a big misconception is the difference between <em>reading music<\/em> and <em>sight reading<\/em>. I think people would have a very different experience if they knew this because you can actually learn to read music rather quickly. And if you are passionate about a genre like classical, the fact that you want that skillset will make a huge impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the flip side, even if you want to play pop music, there have been many occasions where I was not able to sound out something by ear, and so I would refer to notation. So, reading music has been very helpful even for a person who leans more toward using their ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"any-music-reading-tips-and-tricks-15\"><strong>Any music reading tips and tricks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I think it&#8217;s mostly about not judging your experience with it. With Read Notes in 30 Days, the whole point is you show up, you&#8217;re introduced to these patterns, and you do your best. You&#8217;re not expected to play perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Success is not measured by playing every note correctly, necessarily. And you learn best by playing music. So find music that inspires you and you&#8217;ll be super motivated to figure out these notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re building neural pathways in our brain. That doesn&#8217;t quickly! It took me a lifetime, but nowhere on that journey did someone say &#8220;she&#8217;s not a musical person&#8221; or &#8220;she shouldn&#8217;t play piano.&#8221; I had different strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now I sit down and read and play Chopin and I&#8217;m actually not bad at it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h3 style=\"font-size:22px;\"><b>Read Music in 30 Days<\/b><\/h3><p>Learn the language of music with flexible, daily guided workouts, ongoing support, and weekly workshops. Reserve your spot today!<\/p><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/shop\/read-music target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SIGN UP<\/a><\/center><p><\/p><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pianote team shares their thoughts, and their answers may surprise you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":17708,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1132,525],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-sight-reading"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17483"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17709,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17483\/revisions\/17709"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}