PERCUSSION
READING IS YOUR FRIEND | Mark Shelton
How’ s your reading? It must be pretty good since you’ re already on the second sentence. But there was a time when you had zero reading skills. Eventually, someone taught you the alphabet. You learned how letters created words. Before too long, you could read sentences. Along with reading, came writing. The two go hand-in-hand to produce literacy.
What about reading and writing music? Are you on board with it or do you feel it’ s not necessary for your musical situation? There are powerful reasons why music literacy will enhance your musicianship and make you eligible for more opportunities.
When I mention reading and writing music, I am referring to standard notation. Sure, there are alternate methods such as tablature and the Nashville number system, but the tried-andtrue centuries-old Western classical system allows for concisely indicating pitch, rhythm, and articulation along with dynamic markings. It is the established method for notating, playing, and teaching many styles of music and embraced by millions of musicians. Allow me to explain how music literacy will improve your musical endeavors.
COMMUNICATION Producer:“ In the bridge, try a sixteenth-note shaker pattern along with a dotted eighth / sixteenth rhythm on the high conga, but only add the conga open tones on beat 4 of every other measure.”
Me:“ Okay.”
If I was in a recording session without any sheet music, I would know what the producer wanted because we were both speaking the same musical language. All the instructions were drawn from the lexicon commonly used in reading and writing music.
Music literacy provides the benefit of being able to speak in a common language understood by thousands upon thousands of musicians. There might not be a piece of sheet music within five miles of your rehearsal, but if everyone communicates using precise musical terms, the directions, and ideas will be conveyed much easier.
SELF-GUIDED LEARNING While lessons with a competent teacher are among the best ways to increase musical skills, method books are also a time-honored means for learning. However, many of these tutorial manuals include exercises featuring musical notation. Music literacy will provide the ability to learn from the hundreds of available method books spanning drum set grooves, conga rhythms, rudimental drumming techniques, and a multitude of other percussion-related topics.
CAPTURING YOUR IDEAS Leader:“ I’ m going to play this demo recording; it’ s just guitar and vocal. Give a listen and start thinking about creating a part.”
As the recording is played a couple of times, tasty percussion ideas pop into your brain. Moments later, as the band begins to workshop the song, it’ s hard to remember all the creative rhythms and timbres from earlier. If only you had a way to scribble down those ideas as they crossed your mind.
With basic music notation knowledge, you can jot down musical ideas before they vanish.
MEMORIZATION AND VISUALIZATION The ability to read and write music carries with it the bonus of storing and visualizing the music notation in your brain. This extra layer can be beneficial in memorization as you file the appearance of the notation in your mind and access the mental images while performing.
OPPORTUNITIES Certainly, there are examples of successful non-reading musicians, but your chances for success are enhanced by possessing musical literacy. The music business is divided between work that depends on music reading and jobs that do not require reading. A musician with notation fluency has the potential to operate in both settings. If you are interested in expanding your playing opportunities, music literacy will broaden your possibilities.
BE WARNED AND ENCOURAGED Don’ t let anyone lead you to believe learning to read and write music will dull your creativity. Music literacy did not stifle the talents( or success) of Alex Acuña, Tito Puente, Steve Gadd— or Carl Albrecht! Johann Sebastian Bach’ s music notation skills preserved his style of worship music for future generations to use and enjoy. Music literacy can further your creativity by providing a VISUAL format for studying the creations of others— letting you see, not just hear, how compositions are built.
Put away any reluctance; you can do this! If you have a basic knowledge of fractions and can recite the first seven letters of the alphabet in order, you are well-equipped to begin learning to read and write music. A competent percussion teacher can provide one-on-one instruction, or you can learn on your own using the many books and online resources available.
Reading is your friend.
© 2026 Mark Shelton Productions
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician, educational consultant, and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth. Mark’ s percussion work has been heard with the North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony.
. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com
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