08/10/2026
I read a post a while back asking... Do you have to be able to read music to play music. After thinking it over, here was my lengthy (sorry) answer.
I am a music instructor and have been since I was 15 YO, I am now 67 . I have dedicated my teaching career to "retired adults".
Through all my years I have stressed that ANYONE can learn to play music. Not everyone, and not many are going to become stage performers, but that is not what music is about. Music is about touching your own soul, And to be honest, one is probably going to achieve that before ever touching the soul of others.
Just like ones love for a certain style of music, the way one learns is just as varied. You may learn by reading notes like you read words in a book, then someone else may read better by recognizing distances (intervals) between the notes. You may read music better by reading a grand staff while others may learn better by reading a lead sheet.
The question is not "do you need to read music" but instead "how you need to be taught to read music". I have always been of the opinion, the student isn't usually the problem (of course, I only teach adults and they are with me because they want to be) but instead, the problem usually lies with possibly being with the wrong teacher for your individual needs. If your instructor can't bend to your individual learning needs, you will never learn to the best of your ability.
There is also those amazing individual that have a gifted ear, those that can play amazingly without music. However when you take a gifted ear and combine it with the knowledge of reading music, the potentiality is boundless.
If you are one of those many students that lost your instructor when Lowrey faded away in many areas, we may be able to help. My bride, Keri Bayne, and myself, still teach many Lowrey students all over the country. Not only do we teach music, but we can also help you learn your Lowrey instrument and assist you in understanding it better. For more advanced students, we can also assist you in creating amazing arrangements of your favorite songs.
If you would like to discuss us helping you, please feel free to call us at 803-772-2224. I have personally taught LOWREY since 1975, and we are still going strong. The hobby of LOWREY is still growing and going strong. We are the local YAMAHA Professionals and also teach Piano and Kerboard lessons. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
803-772-2224, Mack and Keri Bayne @ Sounds Of Music
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