I am a drummer who has a vast understanding of, and interest in music. Unfortunately I cannot read music, though I am reluctant to learn as i feel that music should be a natural flowing understanding rather than a structured law of sequenes. My problem is that I now feel frustrated at just being able to play one instrument, as I feel that my knowledge of music has contributed to a much better understanding of a variety of instuments. In a perfect world in order to learn these instruments i would become a sort of apprentice to a well known and respected musician. Though i am aware that this would never be possible. So what i would like to know is if any one has any information on any untraditional teaching methods that are being practiced? Any information, however vague would be appreciated as I feel stuck as i believe I have a lot to offer the music world but no outlets for my ideas! Thanks

Why are you so afraid of structure and tradition? Of course such things can become a straitjacket but very very rarely. Not learning to read music because it may stifle natural creativity is like saying that learning to read and write may inhibit one from becoming a great writer or that training for sport may dull your dynamic play. This is nonsense.

There were great musicians who could not read music. There are and were multitudes more who could read music and hammered and chiselled away at their playing and compositions until they were happy with them (and even then...). Beethoven, for all his genius and music, still needed to make many rough sketches in his notebooks as he went walking. Not only were these for jotting down ideas that came to him but also for refining pieces that he was currently working on.

I'm sure there are some (and probably quite expensive....) alternative teaching methods, but I wonder (and I'm trying to be really respectful and non-patronising here) whether you are scared of hard work and 'normal' paths.
If you have creativity and a vast knowledge of music then you will not be stifled by learning to read music (which is really very straightforward anyway). On the contrary, this will only enhance your understanding and experience of music, and that is no bad thing.

what city do you live in? i am looking for band members and i think you'd be great as a drummer for it. i'd be the manager if i can find enough other people. you won't need to read music, but can you pick out the drummer's part in recorded music?

Rosie
:-)

Look up the websites of the 'Blowout Saxophone School' in Bath: www.blowoutsax.com and 'Creative Factory': www.creativefactory.org

Both involve music-making without notation, based on a learning-by-ear method, with fantastic results in both cases.

Violinia

What a fascinating question! However, you've posted it on the home of the most structured approach to music education there probably is!

The Suzuki method for strings is I believe oriented around learning by ear rather than reading. However, I'm not sure how suitable it is for adults. Opinions?

Similarly, the Celtic fiddle styles (Scots/Irish/Bluegrass etc) aren't too hung up on printed texts. You aim to pick up a tune at a time I think.

The nearest musical teaching approach to that you describe may be that of classical Indian music, ragas and so on, where a master-apprentice relationship operates for learning. This is an oral (or practical) tradition rather than a written one.

Are you aiming to learn another instrument? Which one? Or just reading notation?

I think that it is imperative that all creative minds first understand tradition and structure. Rarely, I think, does learning music traditionally stifle creative impulses. As they say, to break the rules, you have to know what the rules are first.