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Why is Big Note Piano Sheet Music Only Available for Easy Piano?  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano 5 years ago

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?

 

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Hmmmmm (1682) response was accepted on 2/18/2008.
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tags:  piano, sheet music, advanced piano, beginner, big note
 
1. myLot reputation of 93/100. Hmmmmm (1682)   5 years ago

That's a very good question. My first guess is the cost factor. I have a book of Mozart sonatas and fantasies that is at least 200 pages thick. If it were a big note book, I would guess the number of pages would be a lot higher, making it more expensive to produce, and then the price tag would be so outrageous that no one would even consider buying it.

I don't think the assumption that children and beginners are the only ones who appreciate the big note books is fair. I know there are certain pieces I have struggled through (Lizst's Hungarian Rhapsody being a good example) that would have been a bit easier to learn had the stuff on the pages been a little bit bigger.


myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano  5 years ago

I'm not sure exactly how much extra pages would add to the cost if you think about the cost of paper. But I was just thinking of the smaller books that have maybe 100 songs or even just 50 or even 25. Those wouldn't cost much more to produce in big note instead. The big note piano books for beginners don't generally cost excessive amounts.

I definitely agree though that certain pieces would be a lot easier if they were more easily seen for learning purposes. Once you've memorized the piece, seeing it small and just looking at the shape of the notes is fine. But for learning, it's hard.

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2. myLot reputation of 97/100. sarahruthbeth22 (15780)   5 years ago

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.


myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano  5 years ago

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.

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3. myLot reputation of 83/100. hellboyonthenet (142)   5 years ago

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....


myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano  5 years ago

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.

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4. myLot reputation of 83/100. hellboyonthenet (142)   5 years ago

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...

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5. thelondoner (29)   ranked 26 out of 30 in playing the piano   5 years ago

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).


myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano  5 years ago

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 (29)   ranked 26 out of 30 in playing the piano  5 years ago

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.

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6. myLot reputation of 99/100. Loen210 (815)   4 years ago

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!)


myLot reputation of 90/100. Pigglies (5144)   ranked 1 out of 30 in playing the piano  4 years ago

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. :)


myLot reputation of 99/100. Loen210 (815)  4 years ago

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)

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