Do You Need to Read Music to Be a Great Musician?
At Emily’s Music Studio, we often get asked, “Do I need to read music to be a great musician?”
The answer is: No, not at all! 🎤🎸
While reading music can be a helpful tool, it’s not a requirement to becoming an incredible musician. Some of the world’s most iconic artists never read a note of music yet still changed the world with their sound. Here are a few examples of legendary musicians who thrived without formal music training:
Jimi Hendrix – Mastered the guitar without formal music training.
Michael Jackson – A musical genius, known for his extraordinary ear and creativity.
Eddie Van Halen – Revolutionized rock guitar without ever reading sheet music.
The Beatles – Created timeless music, despite their lack of formal training.
Stevie Wonder – A prodigy and genius who, despite being blind, crafted masterpieces.
Aretha Franklin – Created soulful, emotionally rich music, mastering both singing and improvisation.
Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and even composers like Hans Zimmer and Irving Berlin—the list goes on!
What made their music so good?
It was their ear training, creativity, emotion, and lack of limitations that allowed them to create without bounds! These musicians relied on their deep connection to music, which often came from listening, experimenting, and letting their creativity flow freely. Sometimes, musicians who are too focused on being “by the book” confine themselves and miss out on the limitless potential that creativity brings.
The Value of Learning to Read Music
That said, learning to read music is certainly helpful in certain situations. If you’re singing in a choir, need to pick up a song quickly on the piano, or are asked to join a last-minute gig and need to learn a new piece fast—reading music is an essential skill. It provides structure and allows you to communicate with other musicians in specific contexts.
At Emily’s Music Studio, we offer lessons to help you learn to read music if that’s a goal of yours. However, it’s important to remember that reading music is never required to be a great musician. In fact, ear training and the ability to improvise are just as critical to your musical journey as learning to read the notes on a page.
It’s all about finding the right balance. Whether you’re learning by ear or reading music, both are valuable tools that will help you grow as an artist. Combining both approaches—ear training and reading music—unlocks new levels of musical freedom and creativity.
Your Challenge
Here’s your challenge for the week: Try playing or singing a simple song by ear. It could be a favorite melody, a piece you’ve always wanted to play, or just something you’ve heard recently and want to try out. Don’t worry about perfection—just focus on hearing the notes and replicating them. The goal is to tap into your ear and creativity.
Share your experience with us! Let us know how it went—we’d love to hear about your progress!
Feel free to use the comment section below or send us an email.
Want to Take the Challenge a Step Further?
Want to challenge yourself even more? Share a video of yourself playing or singing a song by ear, and we’ll give you personal feedback to help you grow.
Need Help?
If you’re ready to dive deeper into ear training, reading music, or developing your musical creativity, we are here to help! Schedule a lesson with us today, and we’ll work together to develop a plan that aligns with your musical goals.
Whether it’s through ear training or reading music, your musical journey is all about finding your unique voice and pushing your boundaries. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Looking forward to seeing how you progress and helping you achieve your musical dreams!
