How To Read Music

Congratulations! You’re going to learn a ton about reading, understanding and playing music.

This course isn’t some “secret” method never revealed before now. Instead, it’s the way professional musicians have always done it.

Although this is a DIY course, you have two mentors – Me and my  Dad. He taught me and literally 1000’s to read music.

No more confusion – know exactly What, When, How & Why

Effectively manage your time and energy – every time you practice

Stay on point: Rhythm, Pitch, Technique, Tone & Terms

Despite advertisements that promise “how to read music in 15 minutes”… learning a language takes time. Be patient

Portable, Cheap, No bells & whistles to distract, Lightweight

They come in 2 or 3 pieces – Head joint, Body & Foot joint

Diagrams, Pictures and Video to get you started Correctly

Everything you need for Fun and Good Tone

When to begin a sound, and when to stop

You’ll learn to count notes as easily as counting Money

For every Note, there is a Rest of the same value

How High or how Low a sound is

Learn to call each Note by its full name

Recognize the rhythm, Say it out loud, Play it on your instrument

Learn the WHAT, WHERE & HOW of each note

Quarter Notes & Quarter Rests

Two numbers that tell you Everything (almost)

Rhythm is the most fundamental element of music… ALL music.

We have covered a LOT, but it’s Time To PLay Music

Easy Rock groove for 3rd Line B

Enjoy this Boogie-Woogie Blues

Half Notes & Half Rests

A relaxed Shuffle for Quarter Notes & Half Notes

Play along with the HTRM Marching Band

Whole Notes & Whole Rests

And some exercises for your fingers

Songs to get Second Space A on point

Whole notes, Half notes & Quarter notes reviewed

“Tu”, “Toe” and “Ta” Review

Adding another Note to your ABC’s

A funky up-tempo arrangement of a well-known Folk tune

Easy way to notate resting for several measures

This Sci-fi sounding Waltz includes all 3 of your notes

A line that connects notes of the same Pitch

Gentle Ballad to practice your new Note w/ Ties

Composition in 5/4 with 3-2 pulse

Write in the barlines where they go

From MOR to Reggae, these tunes will challenge and teach

Learn 1st and 2nd endings

Practice these exercises until they are effortless

Notation symbols and Quiz

 From single letters to words to sentences

Divide one beat into Two Equal Parts

Add material here

Transition from single letters to words

Practice writing a rhythm chart for Old Mac, London Bridge, Head & Shoulders Knees & Toes, etc.

You already know the sound, now connect the notation

How do we have different kinds of Music?

Find some more modern examples and mention

Add material here & download song minus notes

Transition from single letters to words

work out spacing

Listen for style, dynamics and FORM – even when lost

Introduction to terms: Fine & D.C. al Fine

Longest song yet with D.C. al Fine. Percussion cues?

Maybe give drum/bass track for fun?

Multiple choice Guitar rhythm track notation???

This dot isn’t a period, it gives you 1/2 more value

Playing the dotted Half Note in 3/4 and 4/4

Song list of well-known movie themes and pop songs

Drills in different Time Signatures

Create some drill for dotted quarter – work for speed

Speed and Character of the Music

Every song has a tempo that is “just right”

Practice for speed and accuracy. Just FYI

How many Beats Per Minute?

Try this interesting rhythm in various Time Signatures (C&C)

More Signs to Navigate your Music

Test your Eyes, Ears & Hands in this fun 5/4 composition

Can you hear the band instruments? Score & part quiz

Questions, Definitions & How Many Counts?

Only 2 more Modules to complete

Variety of volume, just like speaking

Two fun songs using 4th line D

in the style of a traditional Mexican folk song

Develop the technique to play different volumes

2 Play-along songs in different styles

Divide one count into FOUR equal parts

These percussive tunes are tricky and Fun

Common Rhythm with examples

Popular combination of 8ths & 16ths

Folk song and technique drills for “double-tonguing”

This Asian melody combines just about everything you know

Multiple choice, Label & Play, Aural Dictation. Wow!

Explanation, Examples, Exercises and Play-along charts. The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Hokey Pokey, Happy Birthday

What they are and how to use them

System for defining the tonal center/key of a composition

What makes a chord and how it is related to other chords

A Crash Course in reading & interpreting

How to Read & Create a Basic Layout

A great notation system for specific needs