Why is Big Note Piano Sheet Music Only Available for Easy Piano?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
September 8, 2007 2:11pm CST
I've always found it easier to play from big note piano books. But not just because the songs are easier, but because it is far easier to read the huge notes and my eyes don't get confused with that. Why can't some of the publishers put more advanced music into big note format?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Then it would fill the page up too quickly. Especially if a long piece or piano music (which takes up so much room just for a single part). Books would be as think as dicitonaries.
But whenever I am playing a very difficult piece (with many tiny notes or grace notes galore), I just bring it to Staples, and have it blown up. Like back when I played Zigeunerweisen on the violin, I had it blown up (as it has grace notes like crazy, but fun!)
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I do that sometimes. I also tend to copy pieces of music that are in books and go more than 2 pages, so that I don't have to pause to flip pages. If it's regular paper and not in a book, I have a tape method for flipping pages easily that I developed down in an orchestra pit. :)
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Yes, one day maybe all music stands will become electrical or computerized (though that could hurt our eyes, reading music off of copmuter screens). But that way we'll never have to turn pages. I can imagine it happening though there's be many flaws for the first several years (even in the middle of big concerts we're in!). ;o)
@thelondoner (31)
• Italy
2 Dec 07
I think the reason is the same why they don't usually do normal books written in big characters unless they're for children.
Anyway, what do you mean when you say "reading two lines together"? If you've read piano music for 15 years it shouldn't be difficult unless you have some sight problems (and if you do, I can understand you - I have some too).
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
3 Dec 07
I mean, I cannot actually see the treble clef and the bass clef simultaneously. If I could see them, I could certainly read them. But I have Irlen syndrome which causes me to not be able to read more than 1 word (5 letters) at a time. And unfortunately, that also affects music.
Big note books help a little bit because even though only a small part is clear, the notes are big enough that I can see them if they are blurry/shaky/moving/flashing/etc.
As far as ability to play 2 lines together, for sure I have that. Once I memorize one line of the piece, I can play it. I can also do things like play 2 instruments at once, such as harmonica and autoharp. Which would also require reading 2 lines normally. So it's definitely not lack of ability (I'm not saying I'm a virtuoso, I probably only play piano at a 5th year student's level or so), but just the size of the music notes and my eye problems.
As far as children's books, I also basically stopped enjoying reading at 3rd grade when the print got smaller. Now I finally got the joy of reading back through audiobooks.
@thelondoner (31)
• Italy
3 Dec 07
I understand. Well, I think the only way is using some computer software (or even just a piece of paper and a pencil) and rewrite your favourite pieces with bigger notes so you can read them easily. I know, it's not the easiest and most pleasant thing to do, but I think this is the only option you have.
Or you can download PDF sheet music and print it at a bigger size... I don't know, just wondering.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
9 Sep 07
They are not doing it because they are not thinking.There are many people who need bigger notes.I can see trying to make a whole score in big notes would be a pain ,but why note Chopin's works or the Beatles.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 Sep 07
I don't think actually converting something to big notes would be hard at all. They'd just have to enlarge it before printing. But yeah, I agree it would take up more pages (or require bigger pages). It would be nice if at least a few books were available though, even like you say, with just the major works in them.
1 person likes this
@hellboyonthenet (153)
• India
1 Nov 07
oh... didnt mean to be rude... sorry... well the basic fact is commercialisation of printing... so they wouldnt... but we can get a copy in bigger format if given to a printing press... sorry again...
@hellboyonthenet (153)
• India
31 Oct 07
thats because its somethin that cannot be done... it is waste of space and time... imagine you turnin the page evry five lines... dont worry as you grow in music... you will automatically start readin with ease... it'll be like readin english... takes time when your a toddler.. but it'll become very easy as you grow in musical knowledge....
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I've been reading music for over 15 years now. It's pretty easy for me. I'm just saying it would be a whole lot easier if I have to read 2 lines at once, to read something in big print.
I'm also visually impaired, but that doesn't mean you should compare me to a toddler at music, that's kind of rude. I'm good with music and good at reading it. But seeing 2 lines at once is hard so I usually have to memorize one line if it's not in big note form.