Freedom from slavery to the page

[Donal]

Hi there, I read relatively ok, I can get through most level 5 activities on a slow first read, but it’s not necessarily an exciting or inspired performance, takes a little work to get a fluent piece. Level 6 generally either extremely slow HT or HS works. Haven’t ventured much into level 7, but I’m sure I could slowly work out all from reading. Which is the problem.

A few of the pieces, grooves, exercises and improvs I can play quite well, but like everything in my musical life, take away the sheets and I’m done for. I’d like to aim for accompaniments where I’m singing or someone else is, ie playing in a band/jam session etc.

Has anyone any experience coming at it from this direction? Should I avoid the sheets altogether, and learn from the videos? That’ll be like pulling teeth for a while, how long does it take to become more fluent at it? Have went through stages of learning by ear in the past and can slowly do it, but then it gets to the point where “life’s too short” and I just get sheets and do a bit of a mash up between both on a chord chart, maybe like the groove sheets. Don’t really want to get the earlier levels, they’d help with the ear, but I know I’d be bored too quickly and would move on to something else.

I suppose I’m looking for ideas on what to avoid and things to focus on more. I know I need to get more of the patterns (improvs/exercises) into my memory and be able to integrate into my playing in general. Would be great to have an idea of how long it can take, might help with my patience. And are there any videos that deal more generally with things like this, rather than solo piano pieces, on the site? The lesson pieces are good in that they jade fills etc written in, but again I’ve forgotten as soon as I blink. And I suppose ideas for keeping the playing relevant – solos that make sense and don’t end up as me dribbling round a mixolydian scale etc.

Sorry, lots of questions but hope the general idea makes sense. What to focus on to break free from notation slavery and be able to play by ear / memory. Unfortunately I have shelves full of sheet music and it has never helped with this.

Any advice useful.

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