Pianists Reading Sheet Music: Is It Necessary to Play by Ear?
As a pianist, you might wonder whether reading sheet music is essential or if playing by ear is sufficient. This article explores the differences between these two skills and their importance in your musical journey.
Understanding Sheet Music and Playing by Ear
Reading at least a single line of the treble clef can help you figure out the melody of a song, and a well-developed sense of relative pitch can reduce the need to rely heavily on reading music. Techniques like solfeggio can also be very helpful, think of the song "Do Re Mi" in The Sound of Music.
Do Pianists Need to Learn Sheet Music?
No, many pianists do not read music at all or do so only to a limited extent. These musicians rely on their ability to play by ear. However, learning to read sheet music provides a structured approach and access to a wider repertoire. Both methods have their advantages depending on personal learning preferences.
The Importance of Playing by Ear
While the ultimate goal for many musicians is to play by ear, our ability to discern the nuances of a song can be limited, especially without proper training in hearing intervals or perceiving accurate timing. Therefore, learning to read sheet music and translating it onto the instrument allows us to explore music beyond our current auditory capabilities.
Playing by ear is a valuable musical skill, but it is not the only one. The ability to play from notation offers several advantages, such as quickly accompanying others or performing a piece without prior preparation. This of course requires proficiency gained through countless hours of practice with the instrument.
Introduction from an Expert
I learned to read and write out music when I was 8, in 1965. I find it amusing when people ask questions like 'Is it possible to play piano without sheet music?' with the assumption that this is a limitation. In reality, you have a group of people with 50,000 years of music theory in their heads who can help you get started. Instead of wasting time asking if it's possible, perhaps we should start discussing strategies for improvement!
Back to the big question: Can you really 'play by ear'?
Many Musicians Can Play by Ear and Read Sheet Music
Sheet music is not necessary for playing an instrument. Many great musicians like Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash would be puzzled if you showed them sheet music. Blind musicians like Ray Charles and Jose Feliciano would have no use for sheet music whatsoever. Many musicians can and do both read music and play by ear.
Music is an auditory art, and playing by ear is a more important musical skill than reading sheet music. However, a musician who can do both read and play by ear would have an edge over those who know only one or the other. The combination of these skills can lead to a more well-rounded and versatile musician.