Skip to main content

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. 




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Back to School Limited Time Deals at Amazon

 I don't know if it's the teacher in me, but I always like to see what's new in back to school shopping.  I loved being a student, so that may be part of it too.  So I was looking at all the back to school deals, and here are some I would like to share with you.  I am an Amazon Associate, so if you were to purchase through one of my links (at no cost to you) I would get a small percentage.   What teacher doesn't need a box of  Pre-Sharpened pencils ?  Limited time deal 150 pencils for just $12.00! Every class subject needs their own  color folder Get prepared for the next decade with 100 folders just $16.00!  Limited Time Deal Pre School Teachers Alert! A 36 pack o f playdoh  just $19.99! Limited Time Deal Got to have more erasers, those tiny pencil erasers do not last long.  Limited Time Deal,  12 Eraser  box for just $5.54 What teacher, student or musician doesn't need s heet protectors ?  Limited Time Deal, 20...

What recital means to me.........

Today's the big day. I never sleep well on 'Recital Eve'. Where'd the stands go, who took the pedal? We forgot to get the programs done? (Promise, they are done, and they are bigger than ever!) Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!). I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one. I have been blesse...

Commitment

Learning an instrument takes commitment. Commitment from the student (to apply their newly taught techniques at home)  It takes 10,000 hours to master any new skill.  That's a lot of music making. Commitment from the parent.  Bringing the student to their lesson weekly, on time.  Giving their student a comfortable, well lit place to practice.  Helping their young musician be patient, learn time management, apply reading of pitch and addition/subtraction of rhythm counting. Just as importantly, commitment from their teacher.  Commitment to be there, waiting with a smile.  Commitment to be prepared, and attentive.  Commitment to CONTINUITY.   To be a good teacher takes talent, knowledge and skill.  To be a GREAT teacher, you must always make it about your students first. Commitment to the students, is what Ms. Sandie, Ms. Joanna, Ms. Doreen and Ms. Stacey are all about.