Speaking of drums, did I ever tell you guys that I learned to play drums by sound, not by reading notes? Not very many people can play drums by ear (not literally, before some of yas goes on a smartass remarking streak), and I can play very well that way. 'f course, I suffer in music band, since I can't read notes very well (I can only read simple patterns :P )
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You're definitely not wrong Phil.
Once you're completely adept at sight-reading, it may easier to play a complicated pattern from the sheet-music than by ear, but being able to play drums by ear is nothing to boast about in my opinion.
I've played with and known personally dozens and dozens of rock/jazz/funk/classical drumers, in total probably somewhere in the region of 50-75, and I can honestly say that I've only known about 5 or 6 of them to be able to sight-read competently.
And unless you're a session-musician, play in musicals/shows and the like, or play classical drums and percussion, I really can't see that there's that much call or necessity for being a drummer who can sight-read.
I'd say that drummers in mainstream pop/rock bands who can sight-read are in the absolute minority.
Once you're completely adept at sight-reading, it may easier to play a complicated pattern from the sheet-music than by ear, but being able to play drums by ear is nothing to boast about in my opinion.
I've played with and known personally dozens and dozens of rock/jazz/funk/classical drumers, in total probably somewhere in the region of 50-75, and I can honestly say that I've only known about 5 or 6 of them to be able to sight-read competently.
And unless you're a session-musician, play in musicals/shows and the like, or play classical drums and percussion, I really can't see that there's that much call or necessity for being a drummer who can sight-read.
I'd say that drummers in mainstream pop/rock bands who can sight-read are in the absolute minority.
> I'd say that drummers in mainstream pop/rock bands who can sight-read are in the absolute minority.
I`d add that it`d be almost completely redundant for a rock/pop drummer. Yeah playing by ear and sight-reading can`t be compared in "which is more useful/difficult". It depends on what`s the "goal".
I`d add that it`d be almost completely redundant for a rock/pop drummer. Yeah playing by ear and sight-reading can`t be compared in "which is more useful/difficult". It depends on what`s the "goal".