How Reading Music Helps You Play Any Instrument

10/24/2025

Learning how to read music is the first thing most students are taught before they even touch their instrument. Reading music is similar to learning a language because it requires practicing different symbols, notes, dynamic marks, etc. However, once one learns how to play music it will allow you the freedom to play any instrument you want. Check out this week’s blog to learn how:

1. All instruments use the same notation.

To be clear, certain instruments definitely have different notation conventions. However, the basic notes used in standard musical notation stay the same across the board. This means learning how to read sheet music will not only allow you to play your chosen instrument, it gives you the freedom to explore other instruments in the future with much less difficulty than if you just tried to play everything by ear.

2. Music acts as a universal language.

More than just being the same across instruments, standard musical notation is the same worldwide. While different cultures may have different symbols included that are specific to them, the basic notes are the same. Knowing how to read that notation will allow you and musicians half a world away from you to understand each other’s ideas. This exchange of ideas allows musicians to strengthen their own playing and expand their creativity.

3. You will be able to learn more complex pieces faster.

It is quite possible to learn pop or rock songs simply by listening to the chord progression as most of those songs are just repeated chords. However, for more complex pieces it is hard to replicate them by just listening. You could spend hours trying to get through half of a complex Mozart piece through listening or video tutorials or you could learn how to read sheet music and be able to sight read it in minutes.

4. Reading music can improve cognitive function.

According to the National Institute of Health, musical training is associated with increases in brain plasticity, executive functioning, verbal memorization, and sometimes even academic achievement. All of these will not only make you better at your instrument but also more successful in other aspects of life.

5. Being able to read music will allow you to join musical groups.

In order to play in a musical group, all the musicians need to know the piece they are playing and their own part in it. If one of them is relying solely on memorization or ear training it can be a lot more difficult to do that. This could close some doors for you as a musician if you are not proficient in reading music. On top of this, playing in a group could expose you to other instruments you’d like to try and open you up to more musical opportunities.

It is not impossible to learn how to play music without knowing how to read music but knowing how to read music will make your musical journey a lot easier and increase your own versatility as a musician.

The Music and Language Learning Center offers multiple courses on many elements of music from learning specific instruments to learning music theory as a whole. Check out our course catalog or set up a free consultation with us to see how we can help!