[Harp-L] tab question

[Tony Eyers <tony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This thread seems to follow on from the Reading Music one. These threads 
come up regularly, sometimes with a little heat.

Here is my take. I read music quite well - for baroque recorder. I play 
in a professional baroque ensemble, rehearsing and performing without 
music is out of the question. I hardly read at all for harmonica, over 
the years many of the elite players I've met are likewise. I wrote the 
following in one of my tremolo harmonica lessons (apologies in advance 
for quoting myself)

"The ability to read scores is useful, but not essential. Many excellent 
players cannot read scores at all, or at best, only slowly. The scores 
in these lessons are an efficient way to show the notes and the rhythm. 
But, the aim is to play music. As soon as possible, learn the tunes, 
ignore the scores and just play."

If reading music is the shortest path to playing it, the case for 
classical (and baroque) performers, then learn to read. Otherwise, just 
play.

Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays