How To Read Music
Table of Contents
Module 1: Prepare to Succeed
Welcome
Congratulations! You’re going to learn a ton about reading, understanding and playing music.
Introduction
This course isn’t some “secret” method never revealed before now. Instead, it’s the way professional musicians have always done it.
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.
How to Practice
No more confusion – know exactly What, When, How & Why
Mental Checklist
Effectively manage your time and energy – every time you practice
Practice Routine Chart
Stay on point: Rhythm, Pitch, Technique, Tone & Terms
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?
The Perfect Instrument for Learning to Read Music
Portable, Cheap, No bells & whistles to distract, Lightweight
Assemble the Recorder
They come in 2 or 3 pieces – Head joint, Body & Foot joint
Recorder Hand Positions
Diagrams, Pictures and Video to get you started Correctly
Your First Sound
Everything you need for Fun and Good Tone
Module 3: Reading Music
Introduction to Notes
When to begin a sound, and when to stop
Counting Notes
You’ll learn to count notes as easily as counting Money
Counting Rests
For every Note, there is a Rest of the same value
Pitch / The Staff / Treble Clef
How High or how Low a sound is
Names of Notes
Learn to call each Note by its full name
Module 4: SEE it SAY it PLAY it
The Goal
Recognize the rhythm, Say it out loud, Play it on your instrument
First Note - 3rd Line B
Learn the WHAT, WHERE & HOW of each note
Counting Lesson #1
Quarter Notes & Quarter Rests
Time Signatures
Two numbers that tell you Everything (almost)
Write and Clap and Play
Rhythm is the most fundamental element of music… ALL music.
Send Off
We have covered a LOT, but it’s Time To PLay Music
Module 5: Play along with the Band
Quarter Notes and Quarter Rests
Easy Rock groove for 3rd Line B
Boogie with a B
Enjoy this Boogie-Woogie Blues
Counting Lesson #2
Half Notes & Half Rests
Don't Bumble the B's
A relaxed Shuffle for Quarter Notes & Half Notes
March!
Play along with the HTRM Marching Band
Module 6: More Notes
Counting Lesson #3
Whole Notes & Whole Rests
New Note - Second Space A
And some exercises for your fingers
Mr. Whole Note / Breathe / Playing with the Orchestra
Songs to get Second Space A on point
Note Values / Review Questions
Whole notes, Half notes & Quarter notes reviewed
Can you SEE it, SAY it and PLAY it yet?
“Tu”, “Toe” and “Ta” Review
Module 7: Say it out Loud
New Note - Second Line G / Repeat Signs
Adding another Note to your ABC’s
Merrily We Roll Along /Mister G and Me
A funky up-tempo arrangement of a well-known Folk tune
Multiple Measure Rests / Examples
Easy way to notate resting for several measures
Waltz
This Sci-fi sounding Waltz includes all 3 of your notes
Module 8: Tie it All Together
Counting Lesson #4 - TIE
A line that connects notes of the same Pitch
New Note - D Below the Staff / Tie it Together
Gentle Ballad to practice your new Note w/ Ties
3 + 2 = 5 / Clapping exercises
Composition in 5/4 with 3-2 pulse
Add the Barlines
Write in the barlines where they go
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
New Note - First Line E / Blues in E Minor / Jolly Old St Nick
Learn 1st and 2nd endings
Jazz Combo / Fast Finger Fun (drills)
Practice these exercises until they are effortless
Review Questions
Notation symbols and Quiz
The Phrase
From single letters to words to sentences
Module 10: Eighth Notes
Counting Lesson #5 / 8th Notes and 8th Rests
Divide one beat into Two Equal Parts
Clap and Count Out Loud
Add material here
Count, Label & Play / Count, Label, Rest & Play
Transition from single letters to words
Mary Had a Little Lamb / Write out the Tune
Practice writing a rhythm chart for Old Mac, London Bridge, Head & Shoulders Knees & Toes, etc.
You know More than you Think
You already know the sound, now connect the notation
Module 11: Musical Styles
Introduction to Genres and Styles
How do we have different kinds of Music?
Reggae from Jamaica
Find some more modern examples and mention
China
Add material here & download song minus notes
Tie the 8th Notes / Rock N' Roll 8th Notes
Transition from single letters to words
Good Ole' Country Music
work out spacing
Module 12: The Band Gives Clues
A Musical Score / Roadmap
Listen for style, dynamics and FORM – even when lost
New Note - First Space F / Salsa!
Introduction to terms: Fine & D.C. al Fine
Turkish Dance
Longest song yet with D.C. al Fine. Percussion cues?
Happy Days: Music of the 50's
Maybe give drum/bass track for fun?
Review Quiz / "Ear Training" Test
Multiple choice Guitar rhythm track notation???
Module 13: Dotted Notes
Counting Lesson #6 - The Dot
This dot isn’t a period, it gives you 1/2 more value
Music of the Troubadours / Native Tom-Toms
Playing the dotted Half Note in 3/4 and 4/4
Familiar Examples
Song list of well-known movie themes and pop songs
Count and Clap Exercises / Dictation quiz
Drills in different Time Signatures
New Orleans / Give Me That Old Time Religion
Create some drill for dotted quarter – work for speed
Module 14: Tempo Markings
Adagio, Andante, Allegro / Additional Terms
Speed and Character of the Music
The Ballroom Waltz / Waltz for Dave
Every song has a tempo that is “just right”
New Note - 3rd Space C / Fast Finger Fun / "In One"
Practice for speed and accuracy. Just FYI
Television Theme Song / BPM chart
How many Beats Per Minute?
Combining Dotted Quarter notes for Effect
Try this interesting rhythm in various Time Signatures (C&C)
Module 15: Signs & Symbols
D.C. al fine / D.S. al fine
More Signs to Navigate your Music
Sketches of Spain
Test your Eyes, Ears & Hands in this fun 5/4 composition
Beach Music
Can you hear the band instruments? Score & part quiz
Review Questions
Questions, Definitions & How Many Counts?
Well done!
Only 2 more Modules to complete
Module 16: Softly & Loudly
Dynamics / New Note - 4th Line D
Variety of volume, just like speaking
Cruise Control / Mexico
Two fun songs using 4th line D
Terms for Volume / Hey Senorita
in the style of a traditional Mexican folk song
How Firm A Foundation / Dynamics are Exciting
Develop the technique to play different volumes
Alouette / I Gave My Love a Cherry
2 Play-along songs in different styles
Module 17: Sixteenth Notes
Counting Lesson #7 - 16th notes & 16th rests
Divide one count into FOUR equal parts
Ticky-Ticky-Ticky-Ticky-Ti-Ti-Ta / Percussion Ensemble
These percussive tunes are tricky and Fun
Counting Lesson #8 - 8ths and 16ths / Song of Finland
Common Rhythm with examples
Counting Lesson #9 / Arrowhead of the Sioux
Popular combination of 8ths & 16ths
Shortnin' Bread / Tongue Twisters
Folk song and technique drills for “double-tonguing”
Japan
This Asian melody combines just about everything you know
Review Questions
Multiple choice, Label & Play, Aural Dictation. Wow!
Module 18: Bonus Lessons
Triplets
Explanation, Examples, Exercises and Play-along charts. The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Hokey Pokey, Happy Birthday
Sharps & Flats
What they are and how to use them
Key Signatures
System for defining the tonal center/key of a composition
Harmony & Chord Progressions
What makes a chord and how it is related to other chords
Lead Sheets
A Crash Course in reading & interpreting
Rhythm Charts / Chord Charts
How to Read & Create a Basic Layout
Nashville Number System
A great notation system for specific needs
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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