Written notes freeze the music rather than allowing it to develop in the hands of individuals, and it discourages improvisation. Partly because of notation, modern classical performance lacks the depth of nuance that is part of aural tradition. Before notation arrived, in all history music was largely carried on as an aural tradition.

It changed the nature of the art itself. To write something down means that people far away in space and time can re-create it. At the same time, there are downsides.

Most world music is still basically aural, including sophisticated musical traditions such as Indian and Balinese. Most jazz musicians can read music but often don’t bother, and their art is much involved with improvisation. Many modern pop musicians, one example being Paul McCartney, can’t read music at all.