Communication

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we talk communication. I mean how we transfer music from our minds to other players. Yes, I'm talking about reading music and charts. Wait! Wait! Before you go, I'm not going to pontificate about how "real musicians" MUST read music, etc. What I'm trying to say is, the better you can communicate to/with others, the easier it is to play with them. First, reading music. Understand, it is your choice to read or not. It all depends on ur goals and if those goals require u to be able to read. Also, there is a difference between reading and sight reading. Anyone can learn to read music to some extent and IMO it is a good idea. Sight reading is a different skill and takes a LOT more work. Ur choice...u dig? Next, I want to talk about reading charts/lead sheets. This, IMO, is probably much more common. It could be a formal lead sheet (e.g.melody and chords) or "informal" (e.g.words and chords). Either way, being able to navigate them is a valuable skill. It requires knowledge of the chords, how to use them to make a bassline and knowing how to follow the form of the tune. It also will help when learning tunes. Being able to "chart out" something will help in the learning process. It is also good for revisiting tunes that have not been played in a while. The last thing I will cover here is making charts. First and foremost, they must be neat and clear. You are trying to give another player direction on a tune (e.g. an original). It can be computer generated or handwritten. Complex or simple. This is a skill! An important one! Ok, how. As far as reading, it is simple. Read every day...like 15 minutes. Start VERY simple. There are countless books u can get (PM me for a list). It can happen. Reading charts...follow along a tune with a chart. See how it is laid out. Again,15 minutes a day. Look up any unknown terms. Play charts with other players. You will be amazed how quick you will learn. Lastly, write a chart out of a tune u know. Give it to someone and see if they can follow it. U see? Nothing here is magic. It is just a group of knowable and doable skills! As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #basslessons #remotelessons