The Significance of Reading Music Among Jazz Guitarists
No one can pinpoint the exact proportion of jazz guitarists who read music. However, it's fair to assume that a considerable percentage of these musicians possess the ability to read music, and it is an essential skill for many of them. Legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery being one notable exception, does not read sheet music, but even he, like many others, likely relied on notation for notational practices and compositions.
Defining "Reading Music "
Before delving into the percentages, it's crucial to clarify the term "reading music." In the classical realm, musicians are expected to read and perform complex pieces at a high level, including phrasing, nuances, and dynamics, following a conductor's cues. Conversely, the level of reading required for jazz guitarists varies widely. More rudimentary skills, such as reading modern harmony (chord symbols, rhythms), and single-note melodies in various styles (jazz, RB, blues, funk, rock, pop) are highly valuable for building a substantial repertoire.
A significant majority of professional jazz guitarists should possess these fundamental skills. A conservative guess would place this percentage at 70-90% or even higher, as reading and writing music are essential tools for communication and collaboration among musicians.
The Importance of Reading Music in Contemporary Jazz
In the 21st century, playing jazz often requires the ability to read a chart with chords, rhythms, and basic melodies. For instance, when collaborating with friends or co-writing an album, a rudimentary ability to read music is crucial. Consider a recent project where my friend, Eric, sent me snippets of his musical compositions as audio files and rough sheet music. A chart suggests various aspects like key signatures, harmonic ideas, and chord symbols – information that’s invaluable for a smooth collaborative workflow.
Today, jazz standards are often derived from a wide array of styles, and fewer musicians have grown up hearing the original versions of these songs. Consequently, learning these standards and modern compositions from genres like Jazz Rock and Funk Fusion often necessitates reading written music. This not only enhances the musician's repertoire but also facilitates the learning and performance of complex arrangements that are challenging to learn by ear alone.
The Role of Fake Books and Lead Sheets
Another crucial aspect of reading music in jazz is the use of fake books. A typical fake book contains popular tunes with the melody in standard notation and chords written in chord symbols. Some charts might also offer suggested chord substitutions, which are invaluable for improvisation and performance. These resources are often provided to musicians during recording sessions, ensuring that everyone in the group is on the same page and ready to perform.
Consider the early days of jazz, where musicians often played the hits of their time, making it relatively easy to incorporate popular songs into their repertoire. However, in the modern era, the jazz repertoire is considerably more extensive and diverse. Transcriptions, sheet music, and fake books are indispensable tools for learning and performing these more complex compositions.
In conclusion, the ability to read music is a significant factor for jazz guitarists today. It is a universal tool for communication, collaboration, and learning, and it often serves as the backbone for performing and teaching these beloved jazz standards and modern compositions. Whether one reads music or not, developing this skill is a valuable endeavor for any aspiring or professional jazz musician.