Advantages of Playing Piano by Reading Sheet Music

When it comes to playing any musical instrument, there are two approaches to learning new pieces of music: by ear (rote) and experimentation, or by sheet music. The piano is an instrument often played by ear, and many professional musicians get by without ever learning to read notes on staves. However, there are many benefits to mastering the skill of reading music notes on a printed page, particularly when it comes to an instrument as central to Western music as the piano.

Independent Learning

Playing piano with sheet music allows the player to learn new pieces without having heard them being played by someone else first.

Accuracy

Reading sheet music tends to result in greater accuracy in faithfully reproducing a piece of music.

New Music

When composers write new music, it can only be played the first time by a musician who can read sheet music. Those who play only by ear cannot take advantage of the opportunity to play a composer's new piece.

Interpretation

Pianists who learn music by listening to others play it will often be influenced by the artistic interpretations of others, whereas those who learn from sheet music will have an easier time developing more unique interpretations.

Speed

A skilled reader of sheet music can play new music quickly or even on sight, whereas those who play by ear will always need to hear a piece first (and usually will have to listen to it several times).

Theory and Composition

Pianists who learn sheet music will develop a richer understanding of notation, chord structure and other aspects of theory and composition that they can apply to their own arranging and composition, if they desire.

Ensemble Music-Making

Pianists who read sheet music can participate in classical ensemble music-making, which requires playing from a score without deviation for the sake of coordinating with the other players.