[Qwerk]

I'm in a highschool band and I'm first chair, although that was the "lowest" band of four and that was last year. I'm now moving up to the one before the highest band. Anyways, when ever we do marching or something where we're all playing the same part, all the other percussionists try watching what I'm doing to learn the part and I read the music. It's funny because they will sometimes fight about who gets to stand next to me and get the best veiw. : )

[gyutae]

Some high school bands are so competitive when it comes to "chairs" and stuff like that. It's crazy.

That's awesome stuff man. It's like everyone's trying to cheat on a test with ur drumming. I'm guessing you can read music really well then?

[Qwerk]

With our highschool it seems like there is a competitive group and a group that is in percussion because they need to have credits in the arts and thought hitting stuff would be cool. Most of the percussionists in the freshman band were the second of the two, so that's why. It was even funnier when at the beggining of the year none of us freshman percussionists knew what all the fills and stuff were for the pep band music, so at the first football game I was watching the upper class men to see what to play, and then they all watched me so it was like third party copying. : ) I wouldn't say I can read music really well since I've only been playing for three, maybe four, years. I can read music a lot better than any of them could though. I could sight read most of the band music, but if you put a complicated snare part in front of me I'd have to work on it.

[DrummerMom]

I learned to read snare music starting at age five (I'm 35).

[gyutae]

Originally Posted by Qwerk

With our highschool it seems like there is a competitive group and a group that is in percussion because they need to have credits in the arts and thought hitting stuff would be cool. Most of the percussionists in the freshman band were the second of the two, so that's why. It was even funnier when at the beggining of the year none of us freshman percussionists knew what all the fills and stuff were for the pep band music, so at the first football game I was watching the upper class men to see what to play, and then they all watched me so it was like third party copying. : ) I wouldn't say I can read music really well since I've only been playing for three, maybe four, years. I can read music a lot better than any of them could though. I could sight read most of the band music, but if you put a complicated snare part in front of me I'd have to work on it.

Sounds a lot like my high school band that I went to a couple years back. Where is your HS located? Mine was in New Jersey.

[mudshark]

I do agree that it is becoming a lost art, as young people, and even some older ones, just want to jam. I have lost more than a few students to this. But I can't stress enough the importance of reading well. It will help down the road if you are lucky enough to land any studio work. Also, working with a metronome is vital.

[secondking]

I know how to read drum music somewhat good, but I know How to read Violin Music very easily, because I used to play violin a lot, and still do, I know the notes on drum music fairly well but site reading is a bit hard, I have to stare at it for a while, But I'll get it eventually.

[SilverFoxDrummer]

well when i was just a little tike with my snare and sticks in hand, my dad made me learn how to read snare music at age 4 and now that im in high school i can easily sightread music usually without any difficulty, i went to tons of festivals for the band and im in the same boat as Qwerk when it comes too kids looking at my technique or how im playing the rythmn. But im the percussion leader in my school, so i guess that would be like first chair... no?

[little elf]

Hi Gyutae,

I've just started drumming and am reading drum music - I can play slowly by sight. I learnt piano and flute as a kid, and I think this has really helped me read drum music (which is easier by comparison to piano because there's no bass clef). Learning how to read beats is awesome. I like downloading grooves and learning them. It makes practice interesting. I can learn by ear too but I actually prefer reading the music - it's quicker, especially the more complex the beats are. I think it's a great skill to have.