Re: Formal Sheet Music/Drum Score (whatever you call it)
Originally Posted by
AndyC
Then, with respect, you ain't doing it right. For a start, it should be called, "Sight Recognition," not, "Sight Reading," You should have practised to the point that you recognise rhythms, fills and phrasing, at least at the level and type of music that you want to read, without having to work out what is on the paper. In the same way that hopefully, you would just recognise the word, "Word," on this page, not break it down, "W_O_R_D".
This is my ultimate goal that I plan on achieving, because for me anyway,
It takes a long time to learn a song by ear and then it usually is just a rough mimic of what it is supposed to sound like.
Once you have the recognition down, it's then a question of interpretation. For a start, arrangements are seldom exactly as was played on the original, and nor should they be. The original was almost certainly a different sized band, with different players to yours, playing different things, and usually with loads of overdubs etc. A classic case would be the original drummer playing 8th notes on the hi-hat through the chorus, but with a tambourine and shaker overdubbed playing 16th notes. If you played what the original drummer played, it would sound empty.
And this is exactly why, in my situation at least, mimicing a song does not sound right without many tries to get it right, so I finally decided to teach myself to learn some basics and start to read drum notation and sheet music.
I admit I feel like it's a daunting task and I feel overwhelmed, like learning a new language.
I heard one instructor liken not being able to read music to being illiterate
So, whatever was written, you might play 16ths on the hihat, 8ths on the ride, 16ths between the ride and Hi-hat, 8ths with the left foot and a bounced 8th/16th pattern on the bell of the cymbal....... basically whatever you think fits.
The big advantage with being able to read it though, is you KNOW 100% that it is the chorus coming up, that the fill into it is only 1 bar long, and that that for instance, the band DO play that signature phrasing on EVERY chorus. No guesswork, you can play it confidently, first time, and use all of your creativity to make it sound good, not to catch up or cover up when different people in the band are playing different arrangements.
Another good reason I'm jumping into this task full steam ahead!
I am in a situation where I am playing in 3 bands at the moment, and for instance this week have had to learn 12 songs. actually, 10 sogs, two of them slightly diferent versions for different bands.
And because of your expertise, you get more gigs! You have solidified my reason to learn this new language, thanks!
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