Is there anyone here who can't read music?

I can't. Seems like everyone can. Does anyone play by ear, and compose?

I really don't think being able to read music is necessary, though I do understand basic music theory.

There was some famous composer--I want to say it was Charles Ives--that couldn't read or write music, and could only play piano while someone else took dictation to transcribe his music. So it's not an absolute necessity, though I think it's safe to say that it does REALLY help in the process.

I can't sightread well as a singer, but I can read music otherwise.

I really don't think being able to read music is necessary...

unless you're into the avant-garde, and only the avant-garde then you really do need to be able to read & write music.

If you're only going to deal with Cagian indeterminancy, graphic scores, improvisation or develop your own notation (and train musicians to read it), then you've gotta deal with the standard to which everyone else adheres.

Otherwis, have fun explaing your piece and teaching players their parts....sounds like a great waste of rehearsal time to me...

That is, unless you're music is way out...if you're dealing only with non-standard methods and concepts (and don't mind being cast as a one-trick-pony), go for it.

well exactly....I would never want kids in school to play my music. I plan on being a performing artist

and if anyone really wants to play my music, they'll have to do it by ear.

Maybe I like being hard to reach.

I play by ear mostly, but I can also read efficiently.

that is excellent...probably the best scenario

... I plan on being a performing artist

and if anyone really wants to play my music, they'll have to do it by ear.

Good luck finding people to play your music... musicians barely have enough time to learn music that is clearly notated, let alone have the composer explain and teach it to them by ear.

You don't plan on publishing your music?

You're going to be present at every performance (at least for rehearsals) of your music?

...just seems like a bad idea to limit your options like this.

ummm.....well I kind of have to be there. I'm going to be the one performing it.

I don't really want people to play my music. It's not limiting myself...it's challenging myself.

ummm.....well I kind of have to be there. I'm going to be the one performing it.

I don't really want people to play my music. It's not limiting myself...it's challenging myself.

Good.

I checked out your myspace stuff...and I now have a clearer idea of what you do. Very interesting and creative stuff by the way.

I know MANY electronic musicians who don't read music. It's not a necessary part of that genre.

Do you still have some way of writing down what happens? So you yourself could perform the piece again, a decade later (if you wanted to?)??

Graphic scores, diagrams, even a point form list of what you use: samples? max/msp patches? equipment setting for a certain effect? ...will help you notate and preserve what you've created, physically.

Unless that's not what you're aiming for.

...

I like this ... will post more later.

There was some famous composer--I want to say it was Charles Ives--that couldn't read or write music, and could only play piano while someone else took dictation to transcribe his music. So it's not an absolute necessity, though I think it's safe to say that it does REALLY help in the process.

Wasn't Ives. Most of what Ives wrote was beyond his ability to play, and so he never even heard any of his music until late in his life.

well what you saw on myspace is the only music i have online at the moment, and unfortunately what you saw is a hobby i partake in so I won't go insane because my piano is 1200 miles away. however, what I said goes for my serious music as well.

Yeah that's not really what I'm aiming for, but those are some interesting ideas.

I keep all my music in my head.

Maybe I like being hard to reach.

:P No offense meant, I'm a teenager too, after all, it just amused me.

Ha ha ha ha. Yeah, definitely not what I was going for. I like being obtuse.

That's good, most people are insecure about being fat.

:P

:laugh: hehehe, couldn't resist. *Sigh*

an obtuse triangle is simply one in which all sides are different lengths.

?

or it means someone unobservant, blunt, dim witted, or non-sensitive.

I was going for the triangle connotation.

And yes, I do have some....rounded edges.

an obtuse triangle is simply one in which all sides are different lengths.

Well, actually an obtuse triangle is a triangle that contains an obtuse angle, an angle with a measure greater than 90 degrees. So while some obtuse triangles may have sides of differing lengths (formally known as a scalene triangle), an obtuse triangle may also be an isosceles triangle, with two sides of equal lengths.

I hate to be picky, but this kind of stuff bugs me. Your point still stands, though...

Topic successfully diverted. My work here is done :P

Back on topic, just to ruin your fun Marius:

...on myspace is the only music i have online at the moment, and unfortunately what you saw is a hobby i partake in so I won't go insane...what I said goes for my serious music as well...

Okay, fair enough.

I just hope you don't find it too hard to convey your intentions effectively, without using some sort of notational system. Although, If you're specialized in your music, it needn't be standard notation (see below, or this)

...

I can read music... SLOWLY.

If you can read a book it's just a matter of practice reading music.

I don't know, to me "I can't read music but I want to be a composer" sounds about equivalent to "I'm a quadraplegic but I want to be an olympic gymnast".

I guess it really depends on the sort of music you're going to perform. Many pop musicians don't really read music. So I guesss it's not that far out. But classical musicians? I don't know of any.

Composing, to me is about making things up when I play piano...you don't need pen and paper for that.

well no, not written composition

but the kind where I create a melody or a sequence and develop it to a point where I am pleased with it-is. It is very simple and natural.

exactly. I'm glad you understand.