If you’re a musician who plays it by ear, you are more special than you realize. What’s more, if you happen to have a perfect pitch on top of that, then you have a talent worth commending.
In case you’re not aware, perfect pitch means you can identify the pitch of a note or produce a note without needing a reference tone. Since perfect pitch is something not many musicians have, most of those who play by ear would need to constantly listen to a song or a piece, or play around with their instruments, to figure out the notes of a composition.
Also, not all who are interested in music are musicians with good ears. Some might simply be aspiring musicians or people who are looking to dip their toes into music occasionally. For these individuals, the musical journey is dependent on how well they know how to read sheet music.
Let’s discuss some significant reasons for learning how to read sheet music that could help in your unique musical journey.
How Knowing How to Read Sheet Music Can Benefit You
From blending seamlessly with other musicians to hitting notes more accurately, there’s a whole set of musical skills that sheet music knowledge can develop and improve in you.
1. Improve Musical Learning
Recall a time when you had to learn something new on your own. Most of the challenges that probably kept you from getting it faster had to do with a lack of guidance from verified research. While you may have eventually figured things out on your own, you could have gotten there sooner had you relied on information made available to you.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, in this day and age, sheet music for a particular composition shouldn’t be too hard to come by. Plus, they work in the same way as scientific and mathematical formulas and verified studies, saving you time thanks to the information they offer.
Sheet music can help you progress to the next chapters of your music journey by providing a solid reference that keeps you from getting stuck on particular chords or notes.
2. Work Better With Your Peers
Again, not all musicians have good ears. Sometimes, when collaborating with your peers, you have to realize that the best way to go about it is to do it in a way that’s comfortable for everyone. This would mean using sheet music even when you’re fine without it.
Doing this shows your fellow musicians and other people in the business that you are a professional through and through. It tells them you are willing to do what it takes to get things done.
3. Compose Music
If you aspire to write your own song or composition, knowledge on sheet music can help you get to where you need to be. While voice recordings are an excellent way to introduce your song to others, it won’t even come close to being as comprehensive as a notated melody or chord chart. Knowing how to read music will go a long way to helping you write it, as well.
Naturally, if you’re recording music, you’ll need other musicians to participate in your project. This ties into the previous point of working with musicians who may not be able to play by ear and require written music.
Also, when you know how to write down music, it should be easier for you to get rid of the rust of not playing a song for a long time. As long as you have your sheet music, you should be able to get right back into it as if no time had passed.
4. Enhance Knowledge on Music Theory
There’s no shortage of things to learn in music. When you know how to read music sheets and acquire information from this resource, you’ll see your opportunities to learn music theory widen even more. In this way, you can learn how music works and develop a more intimate relationship with it, helping you play and sing better, as well as work with other musicians more easily.
5. Play Music With More Accuracy
In the world of music, even if you’re used to playing it by ear, that does not guarantee you can play with great accuracy consistently. At times, you may find yourself doubting if you hit a particular chord or note right. So, it would be good to compare your rendition of a song or instrumental with its actual sheet music.
The Importance of Reading Sheet Music
Whether you’re an aspiring musician, a musician who plays it by ear, or someone who only dabbles in music every now and then, you’ll find that knowing how to read sheet music is beneficial in more ways than one. It is a skill that not only improves how you play, sing, and write songs or compositions but also advances how you navigate the challenges of your musical journey.
