njrocker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I'm a reader, but a mediocre one. The problem is, I started playing music on the piano, and there's no 'geussing' as to where you play the notes on the keyboard. However, on the guitar, there are a few places where you can play the note and it will still be correct. For this reason I find it more difficult to site read for guitar. I have to spend more time with the music to play it 'properly'. Also, when the chord name is not written, I have to take a while to 'figure it out'. Do you have these problems? Or are to the point of being able to play anything you read naturally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingerstyle_Jim Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 If a piece is scored for guitar it should indicate with roman numerals which fret your first finger should be at for any passage where it matters. Most classical guitar instruction books (as well as jazz books) cover this, it would be worth it to check out you local music store. Once I got started I began reading music scored for other instruments, violin, flute, etc...just to make myself think(a challenge to be sure), Jim My SoundClick Page My New Music Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 What he said... As for the chords, you just learn to recognize the shapes after a while. You don't really notice which notes are in there, you just see the shape. (Or at least I do.) Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I'm not a great reader either, but I typically look at the range - what are the highest and lowest notes in the piece - and sometimes that helps determine which position you may want to try playing it in. Sometimes, a part just lays better in certain positions than others. And even though you can play the same pitch in different places on the guitar, each location has it's own personality, so some things just sound better in certain spots. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachg Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 i like to write out chord names for those sections which consist of just that. most jazz charts i come across take care of that for you. i make sure not to leave out written inversions of each chord though as that little detail may change the whole "tone"/feel of the piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billster Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Paul & Zach are right on. Take a little time to analyze the music before you start plunking on the guitar. Note the chords so you can identify the shapes, and this will help you find positions for single note lines. Identify the key, and that will lead you to scale positions that make sense. As an exercise, work out your own chord-melody rendition from a plain lead sheet. This will help you find notes in many positions as you work out smooth voice leading and fingerings. Buy my CD on CD Baby! Bill Hartzell - the website MySpace?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcohol_ Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I came to guitar from piano too. I'm not at home right now, so I don't have access to my books; but I picked up a couple that explains guitar notation and if you'd rather read notes than tablature ( I do) then guitar music is indeed written to indicate where on the guitar you play those notes. You should pick up a book or two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 sight reading for guitar is very difficult, especially compared to piano. i work out whatever i'm reading in phrases (4 bars/8 bars/whatever), then figure my positions and position changes from there. the Solo Guitar books by Noad have great exercises for reading in different positions. as for chords, A String is right on - eventually you'll just see chords and not have to work out the fingerings. in the meantime, i would recommend making notes above the staff. BTW, i'm not a good sight reader, WAY too slow, but i use written music all the time to work out tunes; then i try to get rid of the sheet music asap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 To me, this is one of the great advantages of the guitar (although some horns can be played using "false fingering", too). Beyond the fact that notes may be variably accessible in different positions, they'll have different timbre, too. Also when you explore various poitions for particular tunes, etc., don't neglect to consider the possiblities offered inserting open string notes instead of local fretted notes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 That's one of the beauties, and also one of the pains about a guitar. If I am just sightreading something for the first time, I will usually play wherever my hand naturally starts. The more familiar you get with the piece, the more it will lead you to playing it certain ways. I often find that after just a couple of measures I automatically go to where the piece really wants to be played. If you are not sightreading something cold, take a little time to get a sense for where the tunes sounds and feels good to you. May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njrocker Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Tu consejo es excelente! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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