Re: Who doesn't memorize tunes/songs?
I'm able to read music but I would never claim to be able to sight read, not to the extent that I could immediately play a piece written on sheet music. My familiarity with staff notation dates to lessons on the recorder in middle school. I learned how to play mandolin more through listening and trying to recreate what I'd heard or songs I knew. A book of mandolin chords and a few songbooks of bands whose songs I knew were the most useful tools for me.
The pholosophical question of which, of either/or, is best answered by "both." I believe the goal should be to get to a point where you have achieved symbiosis with your instrument, and also the music you are playing, so you don't need sheet music in order to play a song. Memorization helps tremendously in becoming familiar with the material.
Originally Posted by
fatt-dad
I play by ear. The music reminds me.
I think this says it best, whether or not f-d is being a bit flip. When you bond with a song, it lives within you, and it reminds you in case your mind wanders.
My first thought when I saw the thread title had something to do with people who use iPads or their phones to display the lyrics and even chords in order to perform. This irritates me no end when band mates do it. It seems to me you should know the material by heart if you're going to be able to put your heart into it. "I'll know my song well before I start singing it" is how Dylan put it. The two main singers in one band I'm in do this, and it drives me nuts. One is a good singer but is getting on in years, might need a few reminders. She's good enough that this method doesn't seem to adversely affect her performance, though one night she'd forgotten to charge her device and had a lot of trouble. The other is a pretty iffy singer to begin with, and his vocal approach isn't sufficient to rise above the input. The few songs I sing I know by heart, and I do as well as my vocal ability allows.
But that's probably a different topic for a different discussion at a different time.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
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