itsjustme asked:
If so, how?
I know that some singers can read music without knowing how to play an instrument; does someone else play the piece on a piano or something so the singer can learn it?
I’m not a singer, I just use this as an example.
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How to Sight Read Music
it’s easiest to do this using a piano as reference, but yes, it’s possible. it’s a lot easier if you DO play an instrument, but if you can keep the notes in your memory, you can read and hum sheet music. keep in mind, your voice can serve as a makeshift instrument when you need it to.
learn to read music
One doesn’t need knowledge of any instrument to learn music theory. It would be a bit like asking “Can I learn to read letters without writing a book?”. You will perhaps want to refer some of the music theory you learn to an instrument to hear intervals, chords, arpeggios, etc, but playing an instrument in itself is not a requirement.
Sight Reading Music
The human voice is an instrument by itself, however it does not have reliable pitch without training and using another instrument as a guide. Most singers learn guitar or piano because the reliable pitch of the instrument keeps them in tune and helps them understand note intervals, note values, and rhythm found in sheet music. You can try to learn without playing an instrument, but you are limiting yourself unnecessarily.
How to Read Music Notes
As a voice and choir teacher I say absolutely!
Normally we use a keyboard for tonal reference but it’s not necessary unless you need to tune to other instruments.
We use a system called tonic solfege to keep things straight. You might recall that from the song “Doh a deer” from THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Eventually one gets to the point where you look at the music and read it (ie sing) as if it was English