Can't Read Music

I've read many times that the Beatles couldn't read music. In court,

Danny Caccavo...

Actually, the violins on "Pet Sounds" were the sort of thing I expected
from Brian Wilson...

Not quite sure why you are doing the apples vs oranges
comparisons....what's your point?

Harrison admitted that he couldn't and that neither could Paul or John.

Can this be true? I mean, I'm a rank beginner on an instrument and
after about three weeks of learning to play, I could read enough music.
And I'm not anywhere near competent at music.

How could these guys not know how to read music, is my question. Does
anyone know anyone who is a very good musician who Can't read music?

poisoned rose...

I'm sure there are quite a few in the rock 'n' roll world.

Awhile back, I remember reading that Vangelis couldn't read music, which
surprised me considering the "symphonic" qualities of his work.

ian...

Geographically and historically, the overwhelming majority.

Most people "read music" with their ears.

VI...

Most great musicians can't read music. Most studio musicians can read
music. Not being taught the "correct" way to perform is what made the
Beatles great.

Which is a better thinker: a computer or a dog?

Computers don't think.

umpston...

Of course many great musicians can read music! You can't get by in the
classical world unless you can. I can't read and I'm not a bad guitar

Paul in Australia...

But can she listen to something and play it without the need for sheet

Paul in Australia...

Cool. I've met some people who can read a peice and play it but can't listen
to something and play it Even better if you can do both.

I'm a useless sight-reader, but better than the average guitarist I've
worked with.

Lookingglass...

You have one talented Lady there GrassDog........... she's a keeper!

dave (...I may not have a lot to give, but what I've got I'll give to
you...)

music?

player but I'm often in awe of musicians (especially piano players) who
can just open a score they've never seen and play it then and there.
And there is plenty of room for self expression in classical music even
if you only play the notes in the score.

Paul in Australia...

I don't think I've ever played with a guitarist yet who could read music.
And I played with heaps of 'em. And some have been quite good.

You don't need to read English to talk do you.

Yourimageunreels...

If you hadn't went to school and learned how to speak English, there

rforman61...

Unintintenional irony of the week award!

Yourimageunreels...

ROTFLMAO Thanks for the correction, Rich.

If I hadn't went here today.

would be a lot you wouldn't understand. That's the point.

Lookingglass...

E X C E L L E N T ...................... !

dave (...he come groovin' up slowly...)

rforman61...

They just never learned...never had formal lessons training, they
learned their instruments almost completely "by ear" and on ther own,
that is by listening hard to and emulating the sounds on rock'n'roll
(and other) records that they heard at home and on the radio; and also
by being shown guitar chords and skills by relatives and acquaintences.
Bob Spitz's current Beatles biography which I'm about half-way
through goes into a lot of detail about Paul and John's childhoods and
formative years and the paths of listening and learning that they
travelled on their way to becoming musicians.

Yourimageunreels...

There was no reason for the Beatles to read music. All anyone has to
do...is to move their fingers around on the frets of a guitar, to come
up with various chords, and to either make a note of what the chords are
in their minds, or make your own chord charts. It's what I did
in the early 60's, and on the piano too. It's a good enough method to
learn Folk, and pop and rock music. It's not complicated at all, but
the musician has to also learn how to have a good ear for music.

I knew a guy who took 4 years of music theory at some college, and he
doesn't have a clue as to what he's suppossed to be playing. When he
plays lead, he's always out of tune..and bending the wrong strings. He
also doesn't have a clue of when to change the chords.
Oh gosh.