Reading Charts: Necessity or bane?

[DADGAD]

Sunday, our bass player said, "Not reading music is like being illiterate. Sure you can find a restroom, stop at a traffic signal or find a library. But not reading music is like being unable to read all the wonderful books in that library."

I believe that reading charts is a must. Sure, it's usually piano/SABT charts with chords. Page turns are a drag. D/S here, CODA there, second ending, molo rit, tacit, PP, MP, FF, blah, blah, blah... But these details give a song life, & dynamics.

I've seen guitarist type out lyrics onto one page and put the chord changes above. How would one know where to go when the leader says, "Let's take it from the pickup to measure 52..." ?

Psalms 33:3 says, "Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise."

So, my question is; should "skillfully" also mean reading charts?

Gary

[tom grossheider]

I would say yes, reading charts (notes or rhythm charts) are a BIG plus in any group. I couldn't read a thing when I started 10 years ago, but sat down with the recorded music and the chart, and not an instrument in site until I could follow the rhythms and changes properly. Now I can pretty play along with the orchestra without too much trouble. I'm learning bass parts too, because that FORCES me to learn the exact rhythms, instead of being the guitarist butterfly that adds a little here and there.... The lyric sheets with the chords above are a last resort for me, no roadmaps at all.

[Matt Plescher]

I can read the directions and the rhythym, can't read the actual
notes (someday)

I prefer the lyrics with the chords; our team often plays the songs
very differently than the original, and the written music isn't really
that usefull then. I actually prefer to hear the original only once or
twice to get the feel for the melody and rhythym, if I listen to it too
much I'll start to copy it, which is what I DON'T want to do. I'm
primarily a rhythm guitarist so I like to start to push the rhythms in
different directions.

So having the music is nice, but really not that important to me.

Cheers
Matt

[MLT]

If the leader wants to use chord charts with lyrics, that's fine by me. I agree that you do lose some nuances (it's tough to figure out where the downbeat is), but you gain some freedom.

I prefer accurate jazz style charts optimized for the instrument I'm playing on the date.

However, if the leader wants the freedom to play another chorus or verse or whatever, responding to what the Spirit is doing at that moment, I respect that. Formal charts can be detrimental to that kind of spontaneity (they don't have to be, they *can* be).

My pet peeve is unfortunately what I'm dealing with now... bad charts, wrong charts, charts in the wrong key and a leader (a very close personal friend) who will not prepare adequately.

'Know what? He puts up with his share of things I do that drive him nuts. I think it's called 'grace.'

[Brad]

I never learned how to read music. I know even less about theroy. I wish I knew how to read music and charts. I've had to rely on my ear for the last 30 years. The good Lord blessed me with a pretty good ear. I came in cold to the worship team. I was called in at the last minute to replace the guitar player as he had to leave for a few months due to a family emergency. That was a year ago and I'm still there. Everyone else up there can read pretty good. I just hear it and play it. I certainly do agree with the libray analogy. I realize there is whole world of music out there I'm missing since I do not read. But, that's the way it is. I'm not complaining. Even if I had the time to learn, I don't know if I would. I sure admire those who can read though!

[LuthierTom]

I've done all the above. I usually work from the choir/ensemble music, but have worked from memory, charts, lead sheets, and word+chord charts. I usually go to the latter if I can't afford to turn pages during a song (like if I'm carrying the accompaniment), but I will note measures and measure numbers for rehersals.

BTW, if you ever work with a harpist (the kind with strings, not harmonicas) they cannot turn pages during a passage so they will go to great lengths to have continuous passages memorized or copied/printed onto what will fit onto a music stand.

[DADGAD]

It would be VERY COOL if someone invented a "tele-prompter" for musicians. Something that just scrolled the music and you just play along.

Yippee! No more page turns! 8)

[tom grossheider]

Originally Posted by DADGAD

It would be VERY COOL if someone invented a "tele-prompter" for musicians. Something that just scrolled the music and you just play along.

Yippee! No more page turns! 8)

Right, and it will be operated by a footswitch like on a trolling motor...... The bass player and I have two stands each, and anything more than 4 pages gets taped together for easy flipping. Hopefully not many repeats or DS's!

[Matt Plescher]

On written music with lots of directions I always make the Codas
etc show up big with a black sharpie. I also draw around the
alternate endings with the sharpie and write big 1s and 2s. No
squinting to see the Segnos!

[PraiseCaster]

Well, I fall in the category of self-taught on the guitar. I never learned how to read musical charts, but that doesnt mean I'm opposed to learning how. Could anyone out their, recomend a good "How to read music for Idiots" (like me )?
Oh, and sorry for not bein around much; I broke three ribs, and displaced one rib! I was a bit miserable their for a few days. Still uncomfortable, but I feel a bit better. It's just gonna take about another 6-8 weeks to mend!

[DADGAD]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Well, I fall in the category...

Is that how you broke your ribs? Sorry, I couldn't resist! Seriously, I'm sorry to hear about it and I hope you fell better soon.

... Could anyone out their, recomend a good "How to read music..."?

Here's some online stuff you can check out. Free is good, right?

Music theory online

http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm

Music lessons: Learn how to read notes

http://www.musictheory.net/lessons.html

Music Terms

http://www.guitar.co.nz/free_lesson....e65527cae26913

Online Music Theory

http://www.teoria.com/reference/index.htm

/Gary

[Rick Towne]

...but I always want to have the songs memorized beforehand. In addition, I find that songs complicated enough to require charts (i.e. some of Tommy Walker's) are not conducive to corporate worship. I also believe that it is my responsibility to be up to date on all of the songs we do, and, if I'm not leading, to know all of the songs which the leader will or might do. As far as repeats, etc., hand signals and 'band chemistry' are much better than relying on the printed pages. In sum, I think that it's very good to be able to read charts, but I'm against using or relying upon them for purposes other than preparation.

[NoTim]

All we get are words and chords. We each get a copy, but there are usually mistakes or changes in two or three of the five or six songs. We don't practice during the week, but show up 2 hours early, set-up, go over the day's songs for about an hour. That's it.

In the last year we've probably done almost a hundred songs. But not to many of them have been done the same twice. Oh, and we don't know what songs until Sunday morning.

Sorry to rant, but I'm hoping this is a place where I can get this off my chest, and have someone understand.

On the plus side, my improv. is getting better and this stretching exprience has taught me much about patience.

[Matt Plescher]

Originally Posted by NoTim

Oh, and we don't know what songs until Sunday
morning.

I don't think I could handle that. We get the songs Tuesday,
practice Wednesday and then again for an hour befor the service.
That seems like the minimum to me. We never do more than one
new song in a service; not for the band's sake but for the sake of
the congregation-it's irritating for a person in the seats to have to
learn new songs all the time.

YMMV
Matt

[NoTim]

Boy wouldn't it. I play lead and it sure would be nice to work some things out before Sunday morning. I've worked things out in the past for a few songs, only to never see them again, or at least not for months.

So that's where the improve practice comes in, its something new every Sunday. It is really hard, but I'm just trying to accept it as a streching experience.

[tom grossheider]

For us, rehearsals are where everything is worked out. The band had better know the stuff on Sunday morning, because time is limited beforehand and it is a sound check, not a rehearsal. Most of the worship package charts are fairly simple, but when we have a "special" number they can get pretty detailed.

[PraiseCaster]

When we get the basic fundamentals of the song down during practice, we'll run tape, and record it, and supply all the Praise and Worship Team memebers with a copy. This way, we are able to practice at home. I am then able to try out some improvising on my own, rather than experiment during the service! It's really been a benefit to me.

[Wahwax]

I can't sight read notes, but I understand them and understand the measures, codas, etc...

Only problem is....if I learn a song by reading charts I NEED the charts to play it (like a crutch). If I learn it by ear, I can play it by ear.

Would you rather have a conversation with someone who is reading to you or talking to you?

The more you know, the more helpful it would be, but I'm not sure I'd relate it to being illiterate.

[Spanky]

I work with The Salvation Army and those guys could hardly do anything without fully written out parts---lotta brass players etc. Fortunately that has rubbed off on me over the years.
It really is a blessing to be able to follow a score as there is so much MORE you can use to Praise God with if you
are a "workman approved" by Him-----
yup really I have been forced to learn this stuff over the years and it's been for the better in the long run

[Tim Swartz]

I don't think it is a black and white issue. The requirement to read will vary depending on the demands of the music. During the past 6 years I've worked w/ essentially 3 leaders. The first 2 leaders were more groove/feel oriented and very seldom did the 3 words I fear most come up, "Play as written", and when it did come up, I was able to memorize the changes. We recently brought in a new leader, and things are becoming more orchestrated. Those 3 feared words are becoming the rule, rather than the exception. This past week we brought in some hired guns (horns), and had a full choir. 2 of the scores were about 20 pages and 2 others were Tommy Walker charts. After 30 years of being a groove/feel player, I'm giving strong consideration to some theory/sight reading lessons.

[tom grossheider]

I hear ya Tim. I never read a note until I started with this church 10 years ago. Much better now, but I struggle when the chart written parts do not match the recording provided and then Sunday morning comes and a trainwreck occurs, tensions are up and this shouldn't happen. I'm still struggling with what happened a few weeks ago, but I'll get over it. Over all, I think learning to read is good. But someone should be able to take the 20 page vocal/piano charts and make a good short rhythm chart out of it.

[Spanky]

..Kirk Franklin stuff has made me reach for Alka Seltzer more than once...and that was just as I was on the Platform !

Bless you guys

[Matt Plescher]

Originally Posted by tom grossheider

But someone should be able to take the 20 page vocal/piano charts and make a good short rhythm chart out of it.

I mentioned earlier in this thread about my sharpie attacks on sheet music. I will also make them into rhythm charts with the sharpie or a pen. I'm primarily a rhythm guitarist and it always messes me up on the charts when the bars are all different widths. So I hack away with a marker making rhythm hash marks!

Cheers
Matt

[racehorse]

Reading is not my favorite thing to do , but it saves alot of time . Guitar music is usually just a chord chart with rhythm notated.

As for page turning , you get used to it , always a pain ,but you get used to it.

The nashville system can turn a 20 page song into a 2 or 3 page song . After you learn the number system you can write it out really quick, key changes are a non issue.
You write the song out straight through, as it goes , no d/s ,coda ,etc

we have a reputation as guitar players of being illiterate, that is why I have made myself learn these skills .

just broaden your horizon, never stop learning

Just mho
Racehorse

[DADGAD]

Another important point in using charts is when a keyboardist is playing a triplet or two. You are able to help accent this. A non-reading member, who types out chords over lyrics, misses it, and misses chord "pushes" too.

I have memorized songs that are played a lot like JESUS MIGHTY GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, and the like. However, it's very handy to be able to play by ear and read charts. It has saved me countless times.

Pertaining to page turning, I put my charts in individual AVERY clear plastic 8" X 11" sleeves. It keeps the pages from ripping out during quick turns. The plastic is easily flipped by finger friction. My actual method of page turning uses small Post-It notes, stuck along the edges of the sleeves. They stick out like tabs. I just grab it and fling it to the side.

Best regards,

Gary