Dear Fred, I have to agree with you. I play by ear, and I taught myself to understand music by learning Theory and learning to understand rhythm charts. I read guitar chords very well, which is how I play the piano believe it or not. I would love to be able to read and play sheet music, but I have trouble coordinating my right and left hands while attempting to play a piece of music. I truly believe it is partly because of the Synesthesia I've had all of my life. Many Synesthetes have trouble with left-right coordination. Many do not. I guess I was selected for the first group.
For me, it is not a choice. There was always so much difficulty trying to get the coordination right, that I simply gave up trying. I wonder how many of those listed below have had the same difficulty. Take it from me, it is so much harder to come up with an alternative way to communicate your songs to other musicians when there is a musical language already in existence. I also have to say that learning Music Theory has actually "enhanced" my appreciation of music rather than diminished it. Many of these artists may have never been afforded the opportunity of music lessons, but were still driven by something deep inside to pursue this passion. (Jill Scott is also unable to read music) I did take music lessons for about six months, but my frustrations were compounded by a piano teacher who was not really very good. After him, I was never able to secure the opportunity again with a better teacher. Sherelle In a message dated 02/04/2002 4:30:47 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 03:45:37 EST > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Reading music > > >A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE:Why do some of the GREATS i.e. Joni,Paul > >McCartney,Errol Garner,Buddy Rich,prefer or choose not to read nor write > >music? I understand that maybe in doing so would somehow curtail their > >creative juices/flow > > That's a myth ... it can only enhance. That's like saying an illiterate > person who speaks and thinks well would be hampered by learning to read and > > write. > > - -Fred
