Hello Ken,
If we had to learn all sounds and their key positions it would be like learning Chinese.
If you wanted to be fluent in Mandarin you would have to be able to recognize 8000 of the symbols. Writing Mandarin on the computer you have a bar at the bottom of the screen or another screen. You type in each part of the symbol and when you have it all along the strip you press the enter key and it forms the completed word or phrase. 像這樣。 I agree that you may need to recognize maybe all of the keys on a piano keyboard but if you have to play by "ear" then you have countless sounds to remember and get them correct.
I told my student that she must not write letters or numbers on her sheet music. I want her to read the music score. When she arrived yesterday I told her it was exam time. I never tell my students about tests in advance. I gave her my hymn book opened to a simple page and said "Play." She followed my instructions, play the right hand through on its own twice. Then play the chords, then play both together. In 15 minutes she was able to play the piece. She has 3 jobs and is studying accountancy so there is not much time for practice. She has had the kbd now for about 4 months. I don't know how long it would take someone to learn all 300 songs in my music books, especially if they had to listen to ME playing!
Again I agree with you about putting your own stamp on the song. Learn the song from the script and get it correct, then give it the expression that you feel.
Naming a note enables us to communicate accurately what we are trying to create.
This is true as long as we understand the notation. On a flute or saxophone there are no "black and white" notes, just finger positions. You learn the sound of the finger positions.
Thank you for posting this, I am so glad that you replied. I think it could cause a lot of controversy amongst players.
Regards, Den.
Have just been scanning the YouTube from my link. This is what one fellow wrote about piano teachers teaching music. I tend to agree.
@Jovis They delight in sucking all the joy out of it and turning it into math equations just because they can. Den.