I Can't Read Notes, Should I...?

Question

Okay, it's embarrassing, I know, but I can't read notes. I just can't understand them, but I really want to take voice lessons. Does being able to read music affect your performance in singing? Should I even attempt to take singing lessons if I can't read notes?

Answer 1

sing it the way you feel it. may be better than the original.
oh sorry miised the point, you really want to take lessons. notes have nothing to do with training. practice is what you will learn. sing, sing, sing and be happy!

Answer 2

If you want to take voice lessons, your teacher can teach you how to read music as well. Learning to read music is just like learning how to read anything else (sentences, math equations, etc.). Being able to read music does not affect your singing directly, but it does affect the type of music you can learn on your own, and it's crucial when you sing with a group. Your teacher will generally be happy to teach you, so don't worry about it too much! :) Why're you so embarrassed? I found out a few years ago that one of my favorite singers in a fave group of mine couldn't read music! She didn't even know what the notes on a piano were! Find a voice teacher, and remember that the most important thing is that you should feel COMFORTABLE singing. You shouldn't feel ANYTHING in your throat. If you do, you're probably not singing correctly, and you gotta fix it immediately. Just stop singing, and once you figure out the problem (by telling your teacher and you two figuring it out), you can start again! go for it! I've found so much gratification in singing I can't tell you, and reading music makes (though it IS cliche) a world of difference, no joke. And most importantly, have fun! :) okay, I'm done haha

Answer 3

When the note goes up, you go up. When the note goes down, you go down. If you start there you'll be fine. I would reccomend getting a beginning piano book or a if you don't have a piano, even a little plastic recorder (like little kids play) because its easier to learn to read music if you do it on an instrument. If you really want to be a good singer, learning to read music is a worthwhile time commitment. A voice teacher would surely be willing to help you with your musicianship, but as long as you're paying them to listen to you sing, you should get whatever work done outside of your lesson that you can. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's ok- but this is the perfect opportunity to learn, and why not? It can only affect your performance in something like a career as a studio musician, where they give you something unfamiliar on sheet music and you have to perform in 20 minutes. Reading music also helps you to know what key you're starting in, which is super important when you've got back up musicians or singers who have been practicing in a certain key and rhythm. You don't want to suddenly throw to them that they're going to have to transpose everything down a key, because you can't hit that high G. But YES- take the lessons and ask to be taught along the way. It's not hard.

Answer 5

You are obviously an intelligent person, and learning to read music is not beyond you. Go ahead and learn. If you can find a singing teacher who can help you learn to sight-read, so much the better. It's a very good skill to have.

Answer 6

Reading notes isn't necessary unless you're singing from sheet music. But it is extremely helpful, learn the notes, it's not really that hard.

Answer 7

I am in a choir and our instructor says that it doesn't matter if you can not read notes as long as you can fix your voice to sound like it needs to sound. I didn't get it at first but he is really smart.now I can read notes though because I play the violin as well.Well good luck to you I hope you become a big time super star!

Answer 8

Talk to a voice teacher and ask this question. That source will give you a better and more well-rounded answer. The final decision will always be your's.

Answer 9

i can't read notes either but it's worth a shot to see if you can