h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I bought a new music program called Musical Progressions that teaches how to read music. This is something I have wanted to be able to do for a long time. It's a nice program; maybe it will work. It drills you on the notes, and also instructs about intervals, chords, and scales. So far I love it!

Well done. I can't imagine not being able to read music. (sorry if that sounds pompous).

It's like reading - it will not stint your creativity, in case anyone has suggested it might.

In Germany they have a theory that children should learn to read (words, not music) as late as possible, because you should "let them play as long as possible". Being able to read never stopped ME playing!

Do let us know how you get on. The basics are easy, but there are lots of bits and pieces - you never stop learning.

Another thing I've always wanted to do, but never found the time *sigh* life gets in the way...

In a programme on BBC R4 last week, they said that children in Finland start school age 7 and are taught to read from a standing start in their first year. Finland has the world's highest literacy rate - virtually 100%. Oh...and they also learn at least 3 languages.

Still like the program?
I've been playing for 16 odd years and still can't truely "read" music. Given enough time I can translate, but I can't put a sheet in front of me and say, "Oh yes, that is this," and play it
So you'll be one up on me if it works
Keep us posted

I haven't gotten sick of it yet. It's a really nice program, even if most of it is very difficult. I'd be happy to get to the "given time I can translate it" stage. Any more skill will be a bonus. I need to head to the library and check out some beginner's scores.

Sounds like a wonderful program JEllen.
Reading music has always been a mystery to me.

I wonder if I could find one for singing or if this one would help?
I am awful, to improve a bit would be lovely.
I only sing to myself or the pets!

My sister gave me a singing programme for Christmas. It's a book and a CD. Just a minute ... I'll check out the name. .... It's called Born to Sing by Ellisabeth Howard and Howard Austin. Has a lot of sensible tips and exercises in it. It's just right for people like me who've only ever sang in a choir and not ever done any solo work.

The techniques are so different, you have to start all over again. In a choir you must adapt your voice to fit the others, and you can't invent your own rhythms or variations. There's no room for vibratos and singing very quietly has to be done slightly differently, too. A lot of things help in both kinds of singing, of course, too - like breathing techniques and holding notes.

You don't have to be able to read music to do it, although it helps. In most choirs I've been in, there are people who can't read music. How they remember it all, I don't know - I have a terrible memory for tunes.

That sounds really good, JEllen!

I can read music too..altho I have my own variations I was never much good at sorting out the timings...in school (many dusty years ago - it seems) I would be sent home with a new score to work out...and what I would come up with would sound vastly different from what the teacher would show me how it should be done the same notes can sound vastly different with different timings...hehehee!

I was never very good at math.

We had to sight sing in music class too....I wasn't particulary good at that.

I've been in a choir too, and we made it once to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod . I can recall tunes without the score once known, I have no idea how I do it, I have trouble finding my keys most days. I can also play tunes by ear.

I apologise for the awful pun mostly.....

Not such a bad pun
I learned to play that way....by ear that is. It's developed quite a callous by now

Very discouraged tonight. I thought I was making progress with the program, but my sister brought over some sheet music tonight, and it is all TOO HARD! *sigh* I know, it is too early to be discouraged, but I am. I have ordered a book of very easy Beatles music, so let's hope I can follow that.

Go at your own pace, it takes practice and lots and lots of it.

As long as you are enjoying what your doing, to hell with rules n' stuff and when you think you should learn it by..

I agree
I used a quote for my bands web page : Music is not about perfection, it is about expression

And if you're not playing Bach the first day...I was quite bad for quite a long time at least in my opinion

Nice quote! Thanks guys.

Ditto, excellent quote

quick link to my bio for the band
it's not all it should be, we havn't been a band for awhile
http://65.109.80.160/Eric.htm

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressable is music" Aldous Huxley (thought I'd contribute a quote-coincidentally as I watch Rock StarINXS, for entertainment value-but you'll notice Huxley doesn't specify 'expertly played music'.)

Very nice, I like that one!
Also there was Carlos Santana, when confronted by a fan said something to the effect of:
"Baby, my hands can't move your body like my music moves your soul"