Learning to read music can be rather daunting, especially if you haven’t had any music lessons before. Of course, we all know there is no quick fix, it is something anyone can do with practice when broken down into easy steps.
In this post I hope to dispel a few myths, and hopefully give enough encouragement for one or two new beginners to take the plunge and have a go.
How To Read Music: Getting started
When you start to learn music theory it’s usually because you are learning an instrument. This is the best way to begin, as you learn to read the notes as you play. In the early lessons you’ll learn the note values and note names. You do this by practicing simple repetitive exercises that allow you to absorb the new information as you go.
Even if you are learning to play a different instrument, it is never a waste to learn the notes on a keyboard. The keyboard provides a visual way to link the theory to a real sound, and to see the intervals (steps between the notes) as you play them.
When you first try to read a piece of music, you should approach it in a systematic way. Look out for the visual clues before attempting to play. With young children, I always say they are being detectives, trying to solve a mystery.
Like learning any new skill, practice is key. Practice is always best ‘little and often’. Learning to read music should be approached in the same way as learning to read words, with a clear strategy and gradual progression of level.
First Steps…
- Learning the note time values. Depending on the age of the pupil this can be taught through rhythm games or with The Clock Song. Both explain the basic music notation in an accessible way. It’s also a bonus that these games are so much fun that children are very happy to play them many times over! Check out My Note Family Stories eBook which is an effective way to teach note values that kids love.
2. Learning the names of the notes – I use an animal themed memory game to help my pupils remember the order of the notes. This is the best way for children to learn as it gives them a good visual trigger and is very easy to memorise. Older pupils also find this method really helpful!
Learning Through Singing Games
3. Do – Re – Mi or Solfege. This very old method of learning to read music has lasted so long for the simple reason that it works! It also encourages the pupil to sing and therefore develop an ability to ‘hear’ the music in your head. This helps by anticipating how the music sounds before you actually play it. The Solfege method uses songs and games so it’s a great way for younger children to start their musical training. It can also be practiced alongside the conventional names of the notes to teach sight singing, build aural awareness and strengthen the musical ‘ear’.
4. Understanding the Stave and the Clefs – The stave and clefs can look a bit scary at first! It’s important to explain it in a visual way, and if possible in front of a keyboard. Just as words are written on lines, so are music notes. You just need more lines than with reading, because the notes go up and down. This is why we have the five lines of the stave. Clefs are needed to tell you whether they are high notes (treble clef) or low notes (bass clef). For more practice and printable resources check out my eBook which covers the basics of music theory.
Hi I have a 9 yo son who has autism and a learning disability. He has been playing the piano for more than a year but cannot read the music his teacher said he needs to be able to read in order to progress. Will your resources be easy enough for him to understand and follow.
Hi, It’s a bit hard for me to say without knowing your son, but I have used these resources with children from 5 -10 years old. There are simple worksheets included with the theory ebook, but if you are looking for something less worksheet based then ‘The Note Family Stories’ are very easy and engaging. I hope this helps 🙂
Have you investigated the Suzuki Method? Suzuki children do read, but initially it focuses on the ear and memory, because this method was initially devised as a methodology for teaching very young children who were unable to read. Music is just patterns and so Suzuki children are hyper aware of the patterns in music construction. They also do a lot of listening to the pieces they play, thus modeling their performance on that of professional musicians.
I agree Faith, the suzuki is fantastic for starting kids on the violin and any method which focusses on recognising and memorising the patterns in music develops great foundation skills! 😊
I need ur ebook for teaching kids to sight play with the piano
Hi there!
Lots of beginners struggle with sight reading, but don’t worry this post has some tips to help! Top Ten Tips For Sight Reading
Also my How To Read Music Made Easy eBook is great for explaining the theory but keeping it fun too!
And if you subscribe to Let’s Play Kids Music you can use the ‘newsub15’ discount code!
I hope this helps! 😊
Hello I bought your ebook about two years ago but the email it was sent to is no longer in use I was wondering if you could send it to my new email?
My old email address was Elizabeth_walsh@hotmail.co.uk or com I can’t remember clearly
Hi Elisabeth, Yes that’s no problem, I can send you the PDF – check your email. Sara
M confused what is the meaning of that face in between every good boy deserves fun and I have seen quavers that their colored black part on one line on the stave so whichever line is the colored part is it that I have to play
The F-A-C-E notes on the treble clef are the notes in the spaces which are in between each of the notes on the lines E-G-B-D-F. I’m not completely sure about the second part of your question, but if you mean what I think you mean, Yes, you do play the note on the line or space where the black part of the note is placed. I hope this helps you!
Lakshita you will get it in the mene-time I think Sara Mullett got it down pat good luck
I am 10 years old and I am trying to play the guitar I just can’t read the music please help me
Don’t worry Ellie! Lots of people find it hard at first but I’m afraid it’s something you just need to practice and gradually it comes easier. Watch out for my new eBook – How To Read Music Made Easy – which will be available in September 2016. I think you will find it very helpful, as it will have lots of games and worksheets to help with learning music theory. Good Luck 🙂
i’m 10 to, and I think you can do it! I do not play guitar but when you get the just of it I bet it will be easy hope you have fun?
I’m also ten and I am TRYING to play the piano but it’s super hard and I can’t get lessons coz I’m doing too much plz help??
I am 12 I have played piano for 5 years and still can’t read notes it is very hard please help
Hi Amy, Don’t worry, plenty of people have trouble learning to read music. I suspect you have managed so far by playing from sight and memory – and the trouble is that this tends to stop you learning to read the notes properly. The good news is that there are lots of ideas to help you here on Let’s play Music! First go back to the basics and practice note naming – check out these posts – http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/music-theory-made-easy-musical-hand-stave/ http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/5-easy-music-manipulatives/
I’m afraid it only becomes easier if you practice, but if you do, you will feel so proud of yourself! Then get an easy sight reading book, that starts right at the beginning and practice one exercise a day. By the time you’ve finished the book, you’ll be well on your way to reading the notes all on your own! Good luck!!
I am 70 years old, I bet you learn before me
I would like very much to teach my gran sons the guitar , please help me…..! Loretta Duffy
Hi Loretta, Sorry, I don’t play the guitar, but there are lots of posts on our site which are very helpful for learning to read music with any instrument.
I just purchased the lessons but I’m afraid that I will not receive them as the email was wrong. Please send to the above email address. Thanks
I am teaching my 6 year old granddaughter. She is a fast learner and loves music.
That’s a wonderful thing to share with your grand-daughter Michele! She will always cherish the memories 🙂
need help teaching kindergarten and first graders how to play the paino
Hi Tylera, Hopefully you’ll find something here to help you! I’d recommend starting with this page : http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/first-piano-lessons-to-introduce-your-child-to-the-piano-to-do-at-home/ Hope this helps!
Thanks for such a great tips..It would be really very helpful in learning or else teaching of the lessons..You had given such a great and easier tips for making the music reading very easy…Enjoyed your blog really…Thanks..!!!!!!
That’s great Binny! I am so pleased you have found much teaching tips helpful 🙂
Children so easily absorb what they are taught that it is a shame they are not taught musical notation at the same time they are taught the alphabet (which most learn by 3), and quickly tire of by repetition.
Making it easy to learn music notation could be simply one of the things children must learn like the alphabet and their numbers.
So many kids are introduced to musical sound when young, but not the science of music to create the fun.
I completely agree Pat, I am always amazed at how quickly and easily little ones as young as 3 can pick up basic notation and they just accept it naturally. It’s brilliant!
Oh, I love this! I have wanted to get started on teaching piano and this is going to be super helpful!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
That’s great – I hope you find it useful! We have a First Piano Lessons series too with lots of games & exercises for learning notes/fingering etc so you should check that out too!
I will never regret having a solid foundation in piano first. As a voice major in college, knowing my keys and note names helped me in all my theory classes. I had an edge that many other voice majors did not. 🙂 Now, I’m teaching my 2nd grader his note names. 🙂 Love your stuff!
Thanks Becky, I’m so glad you’re enjoying our blog, and finding the posts useful! Music is such wonderful thing to share with your son, I’m sure he loves doing it with you!