I've been playing the piano 'by ear' for 8 years.is it possible to learn to read sheet music now?

Question

I've been playing by ear for almost 8 years. I'm good enough to play most songs I want to play just by memorization. I even make tutorials to teach songs to people that don't know how to read sheet music.

One problem: I don't know to read sheet music. I know the basis (the notes, the rhythms, the symbols) for the right hand (treble clef). I was wondering if there is a way to easily recognize the notes on the left hand section (bass clef). I'm pretty sure there must be a trick because it would be too hard to master both clefs and to read different notes on different clefs simultaneously.

Any advice ?

Answer 1

Of course! Try doing basic music theory first. It will lay down the necessary foundation for you to learn how to read musical notation.

For me, bass clef notes= +2 WRITTEN note names from treble clef(i.e treble middle c= bass c(treble"A") NOTE: Although it looks like "A" in treble it is not "A" in bass clef , it's C.  

Answer 2

Of Course.

But it will be quite a challenge.

It would be better to continue to play by ear...but sheet music is more of an advantage in the world.

Visit a Website that teaches you all that stuff, its not that hard to learn i learned it in a week you can do it in a day trust me

GOOD LUCK

KEEP PLAYING

EMAIL ME YOUR SUCCESS

Answer 3

It's never too late to learn.  I learned when I was 14, and I am in school with people who are just learning now.  Now, the quick reading is a skill that takes many years to master for anyone--I still haven't!  (I have been reading music for 6 years, and playing piano for 4.  I can usually read one clef at a time somewhat under tempo.  For singing, I can read all except the very difficult songs instantaneously).

If you can sing in tune, try to learn how to read music with respect to that first.  It's a lot less to learn at once, and since you are a man, it will help you learn bass clef well.        

If not, use a process that combines memorization and note-reading. Learn the music by reading, but not all of it at once.  Break it into small sections.  Learn the melody first, then the low bass, then fill in the inner parts.  

As for actually learning how to read it, musictheory.net is what helped me learn a few more things about music (on top of what I learned in high school choir) so I could test out of the introductory musicianship class in college.

If you ever have any questions about music theory, send me an e-mail through Y! Answers!  I am a music theory major in college, and a qualified peer tutor in the subject.  I don't know everything, but I know enough to teach you (or explain) what you want to know.