Learning to read music IS important!

Sure, it's fun to figure out songs by ear. It's a gift, not everyone can do it.

But reading music...…….that's the gift that keeps on giving.

When I look at music I see a key signature, time signature, I see note values, rhythms.

What does that mean in a language a non musician can understand?

I see an accent (New England/Southern/Italian) in the key signature. It tells me which pitches I will most consistently be playing in a piece. Whether it will sound happy or sad. Where the 'twang' will come from so to speak.

The time signature tells me which note equals one beat in a measure, and how many beats are contained in each measure. Do I need to count 3, 4, 6, 12?

Building strong match skills. In the photos above I see pitches broken down into rhythms that equal 1.5 beats, 1 beat, 3 beats. Lengths of notes tied together to make longer notes. Rests that are worth 1/2 a beat. Do you realize that addition, subtraction and fractions are all a part of music?

What about deciphering pitches. Does it matter if the stems go up or down? What do steps and skips mean? What's an interval? What's an octave? What's a harmonic? Double stop? The list of terminology and problem solving skills goes ON and ON.

Music is a language. Being able to decipher it and apply it to any musical instrument, or even a pot with a spoon is a skill. Reading Music IS Important.

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Congratulations to Rebecca Spadacenta, Heather Kent and Liam McCafferty for getting accepted into CMEA Southern Regionals Festival. Your hard work paid off! The winners of the large snowman dolls at our Holiday Party were Alyssa C and Siohban R. I'm sure they are going to be happy with you. Congratulations to Rachel S. for making the jazz ensemble at her school.

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