When I first read the posting (in my mind anyways) the name of the book was purported to be:
"In my humble opinion, we have an unjustified polemic in the world of mathematics, yet again. My background is tertiary level mathematics..."
In my opinion this would have been a much more entertaining title. Along the lines of the full Dr. Strangelove title.
No... your missing the point. There is no _correct_ way to learn music. Bottom line, music is not about rules. The best way is the one that gets you to the point where you make the music that your ears like the most. That isn't the same for everyone. I suppose for some that means learning to read music, and understanding theory. I think for others it really doesn't matter. I couldn't imagine John Coltrane not using sheet music and theory to help him in his musical journey. At the same time, that sort of thing would have been totally irrelevant for Kurt Cobaine. I would argue that Kurt Cobaine did indeed learn music the _correct_ way for what he was doing with the music.
On the off chance you aren't a troll...
I guess you will have to toss out TONS of great musicians, especially in the guitar realm. Dig on Hendrix? B.B. King? Zakk Wylde? (just to name a few, there really are tons of self taught, and non-music reading guitarists that can really play, and can really write great music). Coming from the slashdot crowd it's not surprising that your comment was modded insightful, but really I think it's bunk.
There is no "correct" way to learn music. It's a form of art. To dictate a prescribed method is to deny that art. While having well defined "rules" and learning progression works well for science (ie stuff that slashdot readers are great at).
Learning to play by ear focuses on the ear, or more precisely the sound. In the end the sound is the important part. Those musicians who can't get their heads OUT of the sheet music are the poor ones. I'd take someone who can play a song by ear, or better yet, write a song by ear, than someone who can read every chord, and how it can theoretically be used. Theory and sheet music can't tell you what will sound good or bad. That takes ears, bottom line.
There are lots of great musicians who used sheet music, and theory as _tools_ to further their music. In the end EVERY great musician/writer has used their ears.
I know I know... reading music and knowing theory is the *right* way...
Picasso painted wrong too...
Slashdot Mirror
When I first read the posting (in my mind anyways) the name of the book was purported to be: "In my humble opinion, we have an unjustified polemic in the world of mathematics, yet again. My background is tertiary level mathematics..." In my opinion this would have been a much more entertaining title. Along the lines of the full Dr. Strangelove title.
No... your missing the point. There is no _correct_ way to learn music. Bottom line, music is not about rules. The best way is the one that gets you to the point where you make the music that your ears like the most. That isn't the same for everyone. I suppose for some that means learning to read music, and understanding theory. I think for others it really doesn't matter. I couldn't imagine John Coltrane not using sheet music and theory to help him in his musical journey. At the same time, that sort of thing would have been totally irrelevant for Kurt Cobaine. I would argue that Kurt Cobaine did indeed learn music the _correct_ way for what he was doing with the music.
On the off chance you aren't a troll... I guess you will have to toss out TONS of great musicians, especially in the guitar realm. Dig on Hendrix? B.B. King? Zakk Wylde? (just to name a few, there really are tons of self taught, and non-music reading guitarists that can really play, and can really write great music). Coming from the slashdot crowd it's not surprising that your comment was modded insightful, but really I think it's bunk. There is no "correct" way to learn music. It's a form of art. To dictate a prescribed method is to deny that art. While having well defined "rules" and learning progression works well for science (ie stuff that slashdot readers are great at). Learning to play by ear focuses on the ear, or more precisely the sound. In the end the sound is the important part. Those musicians who can't get their heads OUT of the sheet music are the poor ones. I'd take someone who can play a song by ear, or better yet, write a song by ear, than someone who can read every chord, and how it can theoretically be used. Theory and sheet music can't tell you what will sound good or bad. That takes ears, bottom line. There are lots of great musicians who used sheet music, and theory as _tools_ to further their music. In the end EVERY great musician/writer has used their ears. I know I know... reading music and knowing theory is the *right* way... Picasso painted wrong too...