Should I learn to read sheet music piano?
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i think that you should learn it, reading it is super simple actually (the concept, understending which note is if i show you a sheet). Show what is hard is sight reading or reading fast enough to be useful, that takes years because on piano you have to read and play and read at decent speed is quite hard :) so in the beginning you will use sheet in the same way you use youtube "tutorials" with those falling square/synthesia but the difference is that sheet is way more precise in timing, there are dynamics tips and is just better. you can start from "pozzoli solfeggi parlati e cantati primo corso" (primo corso=first course) that is full of music that is supposed to be rythmically read, not played just read.with that you can get familiar with notes and rythms. you can also take a random sheet and read it. here are some basics:-sheet is just a group of lines and spaces, each line and space is a piano key so a sheet is just a vertical piano keyboard. -usually a gap is introduced in the middle so you have 2 staffs, one for right hand and other for left hand. -bottom line of right hand (violin key) is Mi/E (depending on which convention you use to read, italian do,re,mi or english C,D,E). knowing that the first of 5 lines is E you know all the others because the space above E is F and so on... just go up or down one note. -left hand have lowest line note G, it's different but it makes sense according to the first point: it's just piano keyboard -note values always double/half so for example the classic black note o| with the o full black is 1/4 note, if inside is white is 1/2 note... -spacing of the notes is not random, longer notes use more horizzontal space -if two notes are aligned vertically they must be played at the same time just watch those three photos and it wil be more clear: https://meusartis.com/Piano%20cheat%20sheet.jpg https://www.adultpianolesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/MusicNoteSymbolsTable3.gif https://method-behind-the-music.com/theory/images/notetree-898e5f46.png there is something more to tell like key and time signature. The ear versus read debate around piano learning strategies encompasses all instruments ranging from the guitar and drums, to the piano and keyboard. Those who have been playing the piano for a while say that both methods of learning to play are essential, but in the end a performer generally adapts to what suits him or her best. While the methods to learn playing are surely a matter of individual preference, experts say that you should have working knowledge of both to be able to make progress in the initial days. After all, you should know the rules of the game if you intend to bend them! Learning to Read Music Reading music means to be able to read musical notes, dynamics, and rhythms that are written down on paper, and play a tune accordingly. Sheet music, that is musical notes written down on paper, is generally used by classical pianists who most often play as part of a group – say an orchestra. This is because there is not much scope for improvisation in orchestras as you cannot go beyond what the rest of the group is playing. Thus, sheet music helps you play the piano within a certain set structure decided by the composer and does not offer much scope for flexibility and improvisation. Having said that, it is important to mention that if you learn to read sheet music, you will also become technically sound at playing the piano. Most classical pianists who follow sheet music play their notes in a certain manner – they do not just aimlessly bang their fingers on the keys. And if trends are to be observed, pianists with strong grounding in sheet music and a classical background have gone on to make some great jazz musicians. However, it might pose a problem if you are entirely dependent on written notes to play the piano because in such a situation it is challenging to learn to play a new song or composition. There have been instances where pianists who count a lot on sheet music have been unable to play simple melodies like ‘Happy Birthday’ without the notes placed in front of them. Playing by Ear Playing by ear means to be able to play music just by listening to it. Those of you who can perform this particular feat, know that you have already won the half the battle of learning to play the piano. But you should remember that we are just talking of the basics here. That is, playing by ear may help you pick up popular songs faster and be able to key along on a casual singing spree, but it is not going to suffice for the long haul. As the pieces you learn get more complex, knowing how to read sheet music is going to come in handy. In fact, in a research paper titled ‘Playing by Ear – Foundation or Frill?’, Robert H Woody, who is an associate music education professor at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, it is stated that music teachers have described the technique of ear playing as an extremely necessary precursor to the process of becoming a fluent sheet music reader. Research also supports the theory that playing any musical instrument by ear is a necessary foundational skill that contributes a lot to other aspects of musicianship. Should I be good at both? When you start playing the piano, there is a long way you have to travel before you can play the best compositions ever created. There are people who will be comfortable learning both methods, and there will be instructors who will teach both as well. But how you choose to progress will depend upon your comfort levels with the two methods, your aptitude and what you aspire to do after learning to play the piano.  But, irrespective of where you see yourself as a musician a few years from now, being able to play by ear as well as by reading sheet music will ensure that you become a well-rounded pianist who is able to play any composition they want. If not anything else, it will let you play the instrument whenever and wherever you want whether or not you have your music written down in front of you. Featured Image: Image Credit
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Is it worth learning sheet music for piano?Learning a piece of music from sheet music will most likely help you remember it better. When you play, you can use those little black dots to visualise the music moving up or down in pitch, and slowing down or speeding up. And, if you do forget, you don't have to rely on someone else to remind you.
Should you learn to read sheet music?Being able to read music helps in music education
Even if you know next-to-nought about music, learning how to read and write a melody can make actually studying music a lot less daunting. Most kids learn how to write, draw and play throw and catch so that they can access art, sport and literature on a basic level.
Is reading sheet music hard for piano?Unfortunately, the ability of reading sheet music has become a lost art. Most people are really eager when they first begin learning to play the piano or keyboard, guitar, violin or trumpet. Many will soon give up because they find reading music notes to be difficult.
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