Reading Music Index

Introduction to Reading Music Intro to music reading, purpose of tutorial, and additional tips and suggestions about reading music

Lesson 1: Structure

Standard Music Notation Overview of components in music notation.
Music Notes Introduction to music notes, including the structure of notes and the characteristics of different note types.
Music Bars Introduction to music bars, including staves and degrees of pitch.
Measures Introduction to structure of measures, bar lines, and double bar lines.
Clefs Introduction to Treble and Bass Clefs and their respective range of tones.
Key Signature Introduction to Key Signature: definition, purpose, and uses.
Time Signature Introduction to Time Signature: definition, purpose, and uses.
Tempo Introduction to Tempo and tempo terms: definition and purpose.
Dynamics Introduction to Dynamics and dynamics terms: definition and purpose.
Lesson Review Review of components in music notation.
Review Quiz Review quiz for lesson 1.

Lesson 2: Letters

Note Positions
 Introduction to notes in relation to their pitch in music notation.
Letters The letters used to describe different pitches in music notation.
Keyboard The letters used to describe different keys on the piano.
Notes to Keyboard Translate notes written in music notation to keys on the piano.
Treble Keys Keys on the Treble Staff.
Bass Keys Keys on the Bass Staff.
Grand Staff Keys on both staves.
Lesson Review Review of notes and pitches.
Review Quiz Review quiz for lesson 2.

Lesson 3: Rhythm

Beats/Counts
 Overview of the concepts of beats and counts.
Time Signature Role of the Time Signature in establishing rhythm.
Time Signature Charts Charts to help understand rhythm and the Time Signature, including abbreviations of common Time Signatures
Lesson Review Review of beats and Time Signature in music notation.
Review Quiz Review quiz for lesson 3.

Lesson 4: Accidentals

Half Steps and Whole Steps
 Overview of the difference between half and whole steps.
Accidentals Introduction to accidentals, including sharps, flats, and naturals.
Sharps The Sharp's symbol and definition.
Flats The Flat's symbol and definition.
Naturals The Natural's symbol and definition.
Key Signature The role of accidentals in the Key Signature.
Lesson Review Review of Accidentals: sharps, flats, and naturals.
Review Quiz Review quiz for lesson 4.

Lesson 5: Terms

Musical Language

Overview of the terminology used in music notaiton.
Tempo Terms to describe Tempo
Dynamics Terms to describe Dynamics.
Expression Terms to describe Expressional.
Embellishments Symbols to describe Embellishments.
Structural Terms to describe Music Structure.
Lesson Review Review of musical terminology.
Review Quiz Review quiz for lesson 5.

Additional Information

Major Keys How to tell Major keys based on the Key Signature.