If Not All Singers Read Music, Why Should I?

While it is true that the ability, or lack thereof, to read music will not necessarily make or break your career as a singer, why would you want to limit yourself? I like to think of it as a tool; you wouldn’t want to try to build a house with only a hand-saw, hammer, and nails. You could get the job done eventually, but without power tools you are going to struggle MUCH more.

Same idea here. As a professional singer and vocal director, I cannot count the number of times I have been handed a piece of music I’d never seen or heard and asked to sing it in an audition with little to no prep time. I was once in a rehearsal of a show I was vocal directing and was asked on the spot to conduct the show for the run-through. Because I can read music, I was able to do this well, with little stress. Now imagine being asked that and announcing to the entire production team that you cannot read music so you cannot complete the task. Not okay.

Many times, professional music directors want to work with people who can read music because it speeds the entire process up. Trust me when I say that most directors, music directors, vocal directors, and band members HATE having to stop a rehearsal to explain what the music means. They are not your teachers, they are your colleagues. Sure, most early music rehearsals will begin by playing through your part once or twice, but it’s then on YOU to know your music. Most true professionals show up already having learned their songs (unless they have not yet been assigned a voice part in which case they can’t learn harmonies ahead of time).

When you are sitting in a rehearsal with 10-20 other singers and are told to sing 2nd Soprano, the line starting on G, then track to the Soprano line for two measures up to the B flat, D, then back down to the G, you better know what that music or vocal director is talking about. While it’s okay to ask questions for clarification, you do not want to get a reputation as someone who must be taught during rehearsals. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

So you maybe be thinking, “Okay, all that’s great, but I want to be a recording artist, so I’m fine.” Think again. If you want to have any control or input on how your songs are written and published, you have to read and understand music. When you are at a sound check or dress rehearsal for your first big gig, do you really want to be sitting there asking your drummer to help you count an entrance? Would it be professional to expect the bass guitarist subbing in for a gig to know your music better than you? What if that sub starts playing a song in the wrong key because she was given an older copy of the sheet music/tabs, but you don’t know how to tell why the song is too high or how to ask her to lower the key, or even what key to play in?

All this to say, learn to read music. You will be a more marketable performer, prepared for any audition, and a sought-after collaborator.