How To Read Music

How to read music notes - SEE IT SAY IT PLAY IT black, white, red logo

Module 1: Prepare to Succeed

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Welcome

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

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Introduction

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

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Having a Mentor

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

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How to Practice

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

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Mental Checklist

Effectively manage your time and energy – every time you practice

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Practice Routine Chart

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

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A Word to the Wise

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

Module 2: Why the Recorder?

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The Perfect Instrument for Learning to Read Music

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

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Assemble the Recorder

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

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Recorder Hand Positions

Diagrams, Pictures and Video to get you started Correctly

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Your First Sound

Everything you need for Fun and Good Tone

Module 3: Reading Music

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Introduction to Notes

When to begin a sound, and when to stop

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Counting Notes - "Music Math"

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

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Counting Rests

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

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Pitch / The Staff / Treble Clef

How High or how Low a sound is

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Names of Notes

Learn to call each Note by its full name

Module 4: SEE it  SAY it  PLAY it

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The Goal

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

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Your First Note - 3rd Line B

Learn the WHAT, WHERE & HOW of each note

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Counting Lesson #1

Quarter Notes & Quarter Rests

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Time Signatures

Two numbers that tell you Everything (almost)

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Rhythm is the Key

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

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Part 1 Send Off

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

Module 5: Play along with the Band

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Quarter Notes and Quarter Rests

Easy Rock groove for 3rd Line B

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Boogie with a B

Enjoy this Boogie-Woogie Blues

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Counting Lesson #2

Half Notes & Half Rests

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Don't Bumble the B's

A relaxed Shuffle for Quarter Notes & Half Notes

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March!

Play along with the HTRM Marching Band

Module 6: More Notes

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Counting Lesson #3

Whole Notes & Whole Rests

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New Note - Second Space A

And some exercises for your fingers

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Mr. Whole Note / Breathe / Playing with the Orchestra

Songs to get Second Space A on point

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Note Values / Review Questions

Whole notes, Half notes & Quarter notes reviewed

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Can you SEE it, SAY it and PLAY it yet?

“Tu”, “Toe” and “Ta” Review

Module 7: Say it out Loud

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New Note - Second Line G / Repeat Signs

Adding another Note to your ABC’s

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Merrily We Roll Along /Mister G and Me

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

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Multiple Measure Rests / Examples

Easy way to notate resting for several measures

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Waltz

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

Module 8: Tie it All Together

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Counting Lesson #4 - TIE

A line that connects notes of the same Pitch

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New Note - D Below the Staff / Tie it Together

Gentle Ballad to practice your new Note w/ Ties

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3 + 2 = 5 / Clapping exercises

Composition in 5/4 with 3-2 pulse

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Add the Barlines

Write in the barlines where they go

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Two in the Bar / No More Than Three / 1,2,3,4 No More / 2 + 3 = 5

From MOR to Reggae, these tunes will challenge and teach

Module 9: Building Vocabulary

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Jazz Combo / Fast Finger Fun (drills)

Practice these exercises until they are effortless

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Review Questions

Notation symbols and Quiz

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The Phrase

 From single letters to words to sentences

Module 10: Eighth Notes

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Counting Lesson #5 / 8th Notes and 8th Rests

Divide one beat into Two Equal Parts

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Clap and Count Out Loud

Add material here

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Count, Label & Play / Count, Label, Rest & Play

Transition from single letters to words

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Mary Had a Little Lamb / Write out the Tune

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

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You know More than you Think

You already know the sound, now connect the notation

Module 11: Musical Styles

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Introduction to Genres and Styles

How do we have different kinds of Music?

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Reggae from Jamaica

Find some more modern examples and mention

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China

Add material here & download song minus notes

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Tie the 8th Notes / Rock N' Roll 8th Notes

Transition from single letters to words

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Good Ole' Country Music

work out spacing

Module 12: The Band Gives Clues

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A Musical Score / Roadmap

Listen for style, dynamics and FORM – even when lost

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New Note - First Space F / Salsa!

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

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Turkish Dance

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

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Happy Days: Music of the 50's

Maybe give drum/bass track for fun?

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Review Quiz / "Ear Training" Test

Multiple choice Guitar rhythm track notation???

Module 13: Dotted Notes

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Counting Lesson #6 - The Dot

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

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Music of the Troubadours / Native Tom-Toms

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

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Familiar Examples

Song list of well-known movie themes and pop songs

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Count and Clap Exercises / Dictation quiz

Drills in different Time Signatures

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New Orleans / Give Me That Old Time Religion

Create some drill for dotted quarter – work for speed

Module 14: Tempo Markings

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Adagio, Andante, Allegro / Additional Terms

Speed and Character of the Music

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The Ballroom Waltz / Waltz for Dave

Every song has a tempo that is “just right”

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New Note - 3rd Space C / Fast Finger Fun / "In One"

Practice for speed and accuracy. Just FYI

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Television Theme Song / BPM chart

How many Beats Per Minute?

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Combining Dotted Quarter notes for Effect

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

Module 15: Signs & Symbols

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D.C. al fine / D.S. al fine

More Signs to Navigate your Music

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Sketches of Spain

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

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Beach Music

Can you hear the band instruments? Score & part quiz

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Review Questions

Questions, Definitions & How Many Counts?

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Well done!

Only 2 more Modules to complete

Module 16: Softly & Loudly

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Dynamics / New Note - 4th Line D

Variety of volume, just like speaking

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Cruise Control / Mexico

Two fun songs using 4th line D

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Terms for Volume / Hey Senorita

in the style of a traditional Mexican folk song

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How Firm A Foundation / Dynamics are Exciting

Develop the technique to play different volumes

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Alouette / I Gave My Love a Cherry

2 Play-along songs in different styles

Module 17: Sixteenth Notes

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Counting Lesson #7 - 16th notes & 16th rests

Divide one count into FOUR equal parts

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Ticky-Ticky-Ticky-Ticky-Ti-Ti-Ta / Percussion Ensemble

These percussive tunes are tricky and Fun

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Counting Lesson #9 / Arrowhead of the Sioux

Popular combination of 8ths & 16ths

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Shortnin' Bread / Tongue Twisters

Folk song and technique drills for “double-tonguing”

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Japan

This Asian melody combines just about everything you know

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Review Questions

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

Module 18: Bonus Lessons

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Triplets

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

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Sharps & Flats

What they are and how to use them

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Key Signatures

System for defining the tonal center/key of a composition

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Harmony & Chord Progressions

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

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Lead Sheets

A Crash Course in reading & interpreting

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Rhythm Charts / Chord Charts

How to Read & Create a Basic Layout

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Nashville Number System

A great notation system for specific needs

how to read music-see it, say it, play it by Paul Babelay
Paul Babelay - author of How To Read Music: See it, Say it, Play it.

Paul Babelay

Instructor

(aka “The Vibe Guy”) is an American vibraphonist, percussionist, drummer and composer.  Ray Hair, President of the American Federation of Musicians says, “I would categorize his musicianship and performance ability to rate among the top five (5) percent of all professional musicians throughout the United States and Canada”.

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