Re: Ability to read music

["IronMan Mike Curtis" <ironman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I do a lot of West Coast sessions, and have been asked occasionally if I
read.  I've also gotten gigs because I made it known that I read.

Yes, it is indeed a huge "plus" to be able to read even a simple treble clef
lead sheet.  And it's just not that hard to learn the basic skill.  It
doesn't even have to be sight reading.  I find they're quite patient while
you carefully look over the chart before hitting the mic.

From: <Iceman6300@xxxxxxx>

> Richard Hunter sez:
> <<the session I described in a previous message to this list,
> where the producer's first words to me were "you can read, right?",,,,
The
> ability to read simple melodies on a G clef is enough to get the gig in
> many cases>>
>
> I got a studio gig recording harmonica for a public school project on
Warner
> Bros. because I had told the studio engineer that I read music. He
> recommended me to the producer over the other harmonica players on his
roster
> (none of whom could read). The producer was thrilled that he could speak
> fluent music with me, on paper and in discussion. Session went very well
and
> I am on call for any further Warner Bros projects recorded at this
particular
> studio.
>
> Serious studio players should learn to read.
>
> The Iceman
>