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Reading Vs Listening to Learn Piano

I have hacked around on a piano for a few years, mainly learning a few chords and "faking" it a bit but I am at a point where I am stuck and would love to learn more.

Despite protests from traditionally trained pianists and their teachers, I unfortunately do not have the time, patience or inclination to really learn to read music.

Curiously, whenever I have been really moved and inspired by someone playing the piano (most recently by a customer in the piano department at Harrods in London)it seems they RARELY know how to read music but will say things like:

"Oh I just picked it up" (?!?!)

or

"I had a couple of lessons as a kid, but then I just started to PLAY"

With no disrespect to anyone who can sight read Chopin, obviously an amazing skill, that to me seems to be a more technical and analytical exercise.

Musicianship, in my opinion, is ultimately more spiritual and inspirational, than it is technical.

I have had this discussion with one friend who I think can "play" from both parts of his brain, although his intution seems to emerge more on the guitar than the piano.

Despite my protests and references to Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, he basically said I just didnt "get it."

So two questions please:

1) Do any of you have experience, thoughts on the subject of intuition and improvisation vs reading music, especially for piano, and

2) If anyone would encourage me down that spiritual, intuitive path, what jazz, blues, and/or gospel music would you suggest I listen to, in order to just "pick it up" as mentioned above.

Thank you.
cwlondon

Showing 1 response by siegfried

siegfried
15 posts
 
I guess you can learn both ways. But if tou want to save some time, learn to read. Having studied violin (and piano) at the conservatory for 10 years, I can assure you that knowing how to read is a must. With time, you'll pick up new pieces very fast, and once you're familiar with the text, you'll be able to concentrate on making music and forget the partition. You must not forget that playing a musical instrument involves technical skills that take up a great part of your concentration. You can't do everything at the same time: try to place your fingers at the right place, keep the dynamics right and ask yourself if you're playing the right notes. Knowing how to read will give you the advantage of beeing able to learn a piece a lot faster. It also gives you a visual reference witch to my opinion is a lot easier to memorize than sounds in relation to one another. Try to find a teacher who is willing to give you some ear training. You won't regret it.

Good luck
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