Geniuses that are/were not able to read a sheet music

Learn theory. Reading is for classical musicians and piano players,mainly.

 

Wes Montgomery couldn't read standard notation, which is a lot more unusual for jazz musicians than rock guitarists.

 

Sorry to destroy the joke, but Ray could actually read music using braille...

 

I figured I had a pretty good shot at being right. Oh well...

 

According to his son, he could not.

http://www.harposplace.com/Artist/ArtistStory.php

As for being a genius, genius takes many forms.

 

He has often said that he can't, but early on he said that he could. I think that he thinks not being able to read makes a better story.

 

Captain Beefheart and his partial recreation 'Frank" from Soronprfbs.

 

If any of you out there have not seen "Frank" then I urge you to rent, buy , stream an amazing work that is amazing on several different levels.

 

I'm surprised by the high number of those who can't sight read. I would think that condition would preclude one from earning a living in a studio.

 

Eno

 

Tatum in his 20s (from James Lester's book Too Marvelous For Words):

 

There is a difference between a music score and a vocal part. Pavarotti could read vocal parts but was not very good at reading opera scores in terms of instrumental cueing for his entrances etc.

 

Frank Sinatra

 

Well, reading a chord chart is a different skill, one that a session musician would absolutely need to be able to do. Not always easier than reading notation either.

 

Mick Karn could not read music. Apparently something he was rather embarrassed about.

 

PACO DE LUCIA

 

Great article. Thanks for posting.

 

I think saying "not able to read a score" is somewhat off base. I think the truth is closer to they just had no reason or never gave a crap to learn how to read music. My guess is they could have probably learned quickly. Also, in general, it does not take many years of study to learn how to read music. It's not rocket science to say the least. Trust me, if a boob like me can learn how to read music, anyone can.

 

Yes I think there is confusion between reading music and reading a score. Any kid taking music lessons learns how to read the music for their instrument. That is something much different than reading a music score which contains the parts for multiple instruments or even an entire orchestra. That can take many years of study and listening experience to be able to read a music score of a work never heard before and have a clear idea how it will sound when played.

 

Errol Garner is a notable jazz musician who did not read music.
Max Roach, Sonny Rollins and Oscar Pettiford, all peerless musicians, struggled liked hell to play the music Thelonious Monk had written for Brilliant Corners. When he came on the scene people scoffed at Monks technique and assumed he was an untutored dabbler trying to fake it. How wrong they were. The image persists though that an ability to read confers an extra layer of musicianship on a player.

Looking at the OPs original list I dont see too many geniuses there, Hendrix and Reinhardt, maybe Robert Johnson -who didnt hang around long enough to confirm his status- then a bunch of rock guitarists of varying levels of ability. IMO, of course.

 

Not sure if Keith Richards could or not, but his situation was in common with a lot of Rock talent that emerged from '60's Britian: They come from art classes, that in the words of Richard(s), some individuals, such as himself, were sent because they couldn't cut a board straight.

 

"Reading" and "sight-reading" are two quite different skills.

I read standard notation well enough to learn material on my own. However, I can't sight-read something handed to me cold worth ****.