Reading Music Notes on the Staff
Do you play music, but have wanted to learn how to read music? Here is a lens with resources and materials about reading pitches and rhythms for my students, anyone who wants to read music, and anyone who teaches music. My hope is that the resources will help and encourage you in your studies!
Playing by ear is fun to do and takes much talent, but only playing by ear can place limits on your musicianship. What if you want to share your song with others, or write it down to remember it? What if you wanted to play a song that you have never heard, or one that you can only remember a part of? Reading and writing the notes isn't any harder than reading words, and it can broaden your playing in many ways.
If you can already read music, but want to improve on your skills, try these to help you grow into a more accomplished musician! This will be a constantly growing lens having more all the time!
This Reading Music lens is joyfully dedicated to the current and past music students of J.O.Y. Music Studio! :D I hope this information helps you become the best musician you can be!
Playing by ear is fun to do and takes much talent, but only playing by ear can place limits on your musicianship. What if you want to share your song with others, or write it down to remember it? What if you wanted to play a song that you have never heard, or one that you can only remember a part of? Reading and writing the notes isn't any harder than reading words, and it can broaden your playing in many ways.
If you can already read music, but want to improve on your skills, try these to help you grow into a more accomplished musician! This will be a constantly growing lens having more all the time!
This Reading Music lens is joyfully dedicated to the current and past music students of J.O.Y. Music Studio! :D I hope this information helps you become the best musician you can be!
Music Student & Teacher Resources
- Joyful Songs
- My music education blog contains music units, lesson plans, lapbooks, worksheets, and games!
I try to add a few new things each month, so please feel free to stop by frequently. :D - J.O.Y. Music Studio
- If you are a parent or student of JOY Music Studio, please feel free to join my studio's private yahoo group. We will also be able to communicate easier to one another. Information sheets that I have given to the students, schedules for ensemble practices, recital information, and TONS of additional resources are there just for you to study and have fun with!
- Thomas J. West Music
- Mr. West has some very nice articles offering student musicians tips about their playing and practicing.
Learning Music Theory
Music theory involves many different things besides reading notes on a staff. Melody, harmony, pitch, rhythm, expression, dynamics, tone color are just some of the things you can learn about. These web sites contain activities and lessons on more than one aspect of music. The * ones are the most fun and thorough, although a little more difficult. A few of them have adjustable setting to make them easier for children up to advanced! I hope you will find one or more of these useful!
- *Music Theory by Ricci Adam
- Fantastic Online Tutorials! If you are serious about your musical studies, check this one out. The written text is simple and well written but thorough. The trainers are fabulous for helping beginners through advanced. Notice that you can change the settings in each one to fit what you want to concentrate on. May be translated into several languages if you are studying one of them.
Theory Lessons (37) ~ From note reading to a variety of chord structures.
Trainer Programs (10) ~ Notes, Keys, Intervals, Triads, Keyboard, Guitar, Brass, Interval Ear Trainer, Scale
Ear Trainer, Chord Ear Trainer
Utilities ~ Chord Calculator, Staff Paper Generator, Matrix Generator
All activities may be done in an online interactive program with sound, or you may download an offline
edition for free. - *Music Theory Web @ teoria
- A great interactive site for learning and practicing music theory. It contains several pages of tutorials and games where you can adapt the settings to your preference and need.
Tutorials ~ Reading Music, Intervals, Scales, Chords, Harmonic Function, & Musical Forms
Ear Training Exercises ~ Notes, Rhythms, Intervals, Scales, Key Signatures, Chords, Harmonic Functions, and
Jazz
Reference ~ an alphabetical glossary of musical terms. Instead of just giving you a worded definition, it shows
you examples to look at and hear.
Articles ~ several interesting articles about music theory analysis, composers, instruments, and music history. - *Online Music Theory Helper
- Another one of my favorites! Definately give this one a try if you want to improve your music theory and auditory skills!
Contains: Step by step music theory instruction from note reading through chord progressions,
Fun trainer program games on notes, keys, intervals (written and auditory), triads, keyboard, scale and chord ear trainers,
and Chord Calculator and Staff Music Generators. - *Music Theory @ Music Notes
- Note Reading: Pitch, Values, Meter
Intervals & Scales: Intervals, Scales, Keys
Chords & Symbols: Triads, Inversions, Figured Bass
Expression Marks: Tempo, Dynamics, Style - *Music Theory Drills
- Free Music Theory Drills: These are great practices for mastering note reading!
Name Drills ~ Piano Keys ~ Guitar Frets ~ String Fingerings ~ Rhythms ~
Key Signatures ~ Intervals ~ Scales ~ Chords ~ Counterpoint - Introduction to Reading Music
- A nice place to start - contains the basic information to get going in your studies.
- Free Music Theory Workbooks
- These contain quite a bit of information. The 19 chapters may be read online, printed out, or saved on your PC. You can also find virtual flashcards and other worksheets.
- Wilbur's Music Tutorial
- Theory & Practice Tips
1 - Music Basics
2 - Notes
3 - Rhythm & Tempo
4 - Putting It All Together
5 - Advanced Rhythm - Music Theory Lessons
- 26 Theory Lessons, Quiz and Answer Key for each lesson - middle / high school
- How Music Works
- 9 free tutorials plus software you can download for purchase ~ Senior High+ ~ This would be easier for someone who already plays an instrument.
- Basic Music Theory
- 436 page download (That's because this is just the basic course, wait until you get to advanced. Ahhhhh! Just kidding.) I didn't have time to look carefully, but it looks like tons of mini quizzes to use with the thorough textbook they have for purchase. I think parts of it would be nice review quizzes with any theory program.
- Flash Cards for Music
- Notes on the staff, rhythmic values, and other musical symbols.
- Basic Music Theory Elements
- Several good articles to teach you music theory in the categories of: rhythm, notes, intervals, key signatures, scales, chords, and staff.
- The Music Lab with the San Francisco Symphony Kids
- Follow this colorful fun flash tutorial and games to learn and review numerous musical theory concepts.
Basics: staff, clefs, measures, time signature, beat, notes, pitch, duration, note values
Tempo: speed, pulse, Italian tempo terms (adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, presto)
Rhythm: sounds & silences, repeated patterns, stronger & weaker beats
Pitch: high & low, musical alphabet, staff, click on the keyboard and hear the pitches
Harmony: melody, texture, mood, major & minor; harmonizer - listen to melodies and choose different harmonies to change the mood
Symbols: notes, staff, dynamics, What's the Symbol? Game
Instrumentation: choose different matches of instruments with parts to create
Performalator: read the notes on the staff and play on the keyboard according to color
Composerizer: click and drag random measures onto a staff to create a new song
Alfred Publisher - Music Theory
Reading Pitches on the Staff
The two most important aspects of reading music are the pitches and durations of the notes. There is more, of course, but those two are good to start with.
This section has information on knowing which notes to play when they are on those little lines and spaces!
This section has information on knowing which notes to play when they are on those little lines and spaces!
- Treble Spaces & Lines, Bass Spaces & Lines
- Click on the pages you are interested in . This is very easy to see and hear the treble clef notes. A fun simple song helps to remember the notes. This can be read and heard online; or you may print or save a pdf of the info.
- Treble Clef Virtual Flashcards
- Read the note on the staff and check your answer.
- Bass Clef Virtual Flashcards
- Read the note on the staff and check your answer.
- Above the Staff Virtual Flashcards
- Read the note on the staff and check your answer.
- Below the Staff Virtual Flashcards
- Read the note on the staff and check your answer.
- Above & Below the Staff
- Read the note on the staff and check your answer.
- Note Names Online Flashcards
- Choose the clef (treble, alto, tenor, or bass), whether or not you want ledger line notes, and if you want flats and sharps to appear on the notes. Then study away!
Look on the left of the page at "Music Theory Flashcards" to find other aspects of music to study: key signatures, intervals, triads, piano note names, reading piano notes, guitar note names, and reading guitar notes. - Sheet Music
- ~ Note Reading Worksheets
~ Tests
~ Lots of free and to purchase sheet music
Piano & Music Theory
Music theory is easier to learn while learning the piano than other instruments. Piano is recommended as a starting instrument for everyone, even if only for a stepping block to other instruments.
Reading Rhythms on the Staff
The duration of each note you play is pretty important! To see what I mean, sing an easy song you know. Now sing it holding some notes out longer, or making some notes shorter, or a combo of both. Although the same pitches are used, a different pattern of note values (called rhythm) can totally change a piece of music.
Try these links to learn more about types of notes and their values, how they make patterns, and how to count rhythms.
Try these links to learn more about types of notes and their values, how they make patterns, and how to count rhythms.
- Music Press Distress!
- Fun game for kids! After showing you notes and values, you may help the octopus sort the falling notes into the appropriate bins - yes, I said 'octopus'!
- Note & Rest Duration Flashcards
- Answer the questions about note values.
- Fill The Measure Note Durations Game and Cards
- A game to print and play to help reinforce note values and time signatures.
Fun for Kids!!
Your Favorite Music Resources!
Please list any music theory resources that you have found to be useful in learning music!
Free Rhythm Flashcards
Beat Boppers.com offers free music rhythm flashcar more...0 points
Teaching Kids to Sing. com
TeachingKidsToSing.com have a range of downloadabl more...0 points
http://www.maxhammondphotos.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/circle-of-fifths.gif
Circle of 5th Wheel for key signature identificati more...0 points
Great Music Videos from Lyricise
Your music videos0 points
Ear Training
Now, what do you do if you read music, but want to improve your listening skills to play by ear? Perfect pitch is a blessed talent only few seem to possess, but most people can train themselves to have better listening skills.
A great many of the websites under "Learning Music Theory" have ear training programs to practice your listening skills that you may want to take a look at! :)
A great many of the websites under "Learning Music Theory" have ear training programs to practice your listening skills that you may want to take a look at! :)
- Interval Identification
- Click to listen to two notes, then identify the intervals or distances between the pitches. See the music theory section above to learn what M2, P5, etc. mean.
- Big Ears: The Original Online Ear Trainer
- Listen to drills and identify them.
- Harmonic Dictation
- Advanced students ~ listen to chord progression and write down what you hear identifying tonic, dominant, and other chords plus writing down alto and tenor parts of the harmony. College music majors need this!
- Contextual Listening
- Advanced ~ Listen to samples to determine the meters, scales and modes, harmonic chordal progressions, and more. Lesson plans are included
Learn by Playing!
Music Reading Games!
- Joyful Songs
- Check out my little place on the web for music games, lessons, and resources.
"Count the Beats" Game
Music Math
Time Signature Game
Woodwind Board Game and Card Games
Music Soccer - game for reading notes - Eek! Shark!
- Choose to play this fun game with treble or bass clef. Three note names must be collected quickly to match the notes on the staff or you will be caught by sharks!
- Music Press Distress!
- Help Oliver the Octopus collect whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and more from the crazy music printing press, and put him put the notes into their correct places!
- Mystery Message Game
- A gameboard and lesson plan are found here.
- Music Manipulatives
- Click on 'Games & Resources" ~ There are so many cool things that I don't know where to start. My favorites are all the flashcards and printable games for music education! Mrs. Layton has very creative and fun ideas!
- Very Cool Flashcards & Games!!
- Mrs. Paradis has numerous songs and sheet music for beginning pianists that she composed to print for free. There are also gorgeous worksheet pages, games, and teaching aids for music theory. Activities and materials to encourage composition are found here also.
Look for the sections of her site for flashcards, theory aids, picture scales, staff paper, rhythm, and miscellaneous other materials. Kids will love the appealing designs and variety of games! - Music Notation Bingo Cards
- They have a trial version of free printable cards, or you can make your own.
- Musical Notes
- Earn 100 points for every note you identify correctly and match with it's piano key. The notes are written in both treble and bass clef and include sharps and flats. It starts easy and becomes harder on each level. The player gets 5 "lives" marked by pianos before the end of the game.
- Music Match Game
- Match notes on the staff to the keys on a piano keyboard with the cute mouse! :)
Software for Learning
Fun Printable Worksheets and More!
- Note Name Worksheets
- These are from a wonderful music education website called "Making Music Fun". The title says it all!
Worksheets:
Color That Note with Charlie the Shark - Don't worry, he looks friendly!
Ready! Set! Go! - Speed Tests - 4 versions - Pick the clef you want to study.
"I Thought That I Was Crazy" - (My dear students, I wanted you to know that I put the worksheet title in quotations so that you would know I wasn't just talking about my sometimes state of mind ~ although some of you may think the title fits me well! :D LOL)
Let's Crossword! Note Names with Scooter and Junior!
Note Code Maker with Oliver Octopus!
Code Breaker with Oliver!
Name That Tune! Worksheet - Free Manuscript Paper
- Several varieties of staff paper to print out for practicing reading and writing notes, or for composing your own piece of music!
- Music Interval Worksheets
- Knowing intervals and patterns make it easier to read music! Practice reading intervals (distances between notes) with these worksheets.
- Making Music Fun Songbook!
- Free printable sheet music in many styles ~ these simple songs can be used to practice reading notes, to sing, or to play on your instrument.
- Music Images
- So many beautiful resources! These are some of the nicest music flashcards I've seen on the web.
For reading music:
~ Music Notation Symbols
~ Free Printable Music Flashcards & Handouts ~ treble and bass clef notes, note values, dynamics, major vs. minor, key signatures, circle of 5th, rests, tempo, and time signature.
Other music materials:
~ Music Icons and Website Sets
~ Instruments Graphics
~ Miscellaneous Music Graphics
~ Printable Guitar Tablature Staff Paper
~ Music Manuscript Paper
~ Links to other music graphics - Rhythm & Note Flashcards
- Currently under construction ~ I'll let you know when it comes back on. ~ Great stuff!
- Montessori Music Materials
- ~ Instrument Cards: Brass, Percussion, String, Woodwind, World Instruments
~ Composer Cards
~ Music Notation Cards: All types of music theory symbols.
~ Music Manipulatives: Staff board and notes to place on it.
~ Music Timeline Demo
Music Units by Pamela :D
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Orchestra: Brass Family Lapbook Unit
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Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big blue sky ... a brass band begins to step to the bold beat of the bass drum. The sun brightly bounces off the bells of the beaming brass instruments ... then you hear it, the boisterous, blowing of th...
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Orchestra: The String Family Lapbook Unit
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Super, spectacular symphonic string instruments! Soothingly sing along with the slow, slippery, sliding bow strokes or skip along with the spirited, sparkling, staccato sounds of strings! Beautiful string instruments have existed far back in human h...
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Patriotic Music Lesson
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A country's music can tell you much about the country. Music can shape one's emotions, sense of nationalism, and give a feeling of pride of one's home. Our leaders and other countries share national anthems and other patriotic music in diplomatic eve...
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Orchestra: Woodwind Family Lapbook Unit
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Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through the wind! Come find out more about them!
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Orchestra Lapbook Unit
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The grand sounds of a symphony orchestra ~ especially a live one ~are so beautiful! Come find orchestra websites, teaching resources, kid's music sites, worksheets, flash cards, lapbooks and other materials, games, videos, cds, and adventures for mus...
Other music units I wrote for my children, students, and fellow educators. :)
- Teaching Music with Artistic Combinations
- Music is related to every school subject which is why I try to include many different topics along with the musical aspects. This article gives suggestions how to connect music concepts into the other arts.
- Musical Dancing Elephants!
- A musical unit using "The Elephant" from Carnival of the Animals by Camille St. Saens! You will also see a link to an entire "Elephant" unit for science, math, language arts, art, character, and more that I wrote for Homeschool Share.
- Mozart Unit Study ~ Lapbook & Notebook Materials
- Based around Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this unit study at Homeschool Share contains activities, notebooking and lapbooking materials, and more for almost every subject:
Language Arts (reading, grammar, verbs, prepositions, synonyms and antonyms, and idioms, vocabulary & spelling)
Science (animals - birds)
Bible and Character Studies
Art (Classical Art, music and art)
Social Studies (country - Austria and its ruling leaders, time period information, culture, cooking)
Mathematics (connections to reading rhythmic note values and time signatures)
Links to other Mozart and music sites
Music! (Mozart's life and music, other Austrian composers, Classical Music, styles of music, music theory, instruments and other tone colors,)
Mozart Boardgame to print and play!! - Tchaikovsky & The Nutcracker Unit
- A long unit which may be broken into several lessons about the music, the ballet, the country, and the man. Notebook and lapbook materials are included along with a few printable music games.
- Christmas Music!
- Tons of links to Christmas music resources along with other curricula areas: math, science, social studies, art, language arts, Bible, and many fun activities!
More Music Theory
Great Places to Purchase Sheet Music
There are many places online to find quality sheet music ~ here are two of my favorites. They both have an excellent variety of music publishers and materials for you to select.
Are these helpful to you? I hope so ~ Let me know what you think.
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Please visit my "home" on the web! :)
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Joyful Songs Lensography
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Hello world ~ I'm very glad to meet you! Writing lenses here on Squidoo has been so much fun for me. I truly am becoming addicted to writing and reading the wide range of lens topics throughout Squidoo. I am a performing musician and teacher who...
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Awesome Learning Games!
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Learning and studying doesn't have to be dry and boring. There are many ways to brighten up a lesson or concept for students. Creating what could be uninteresting material into something they want to learn about encourages them to work harder at...
Lensmaster JoyfulPamela has been a member since May 31 2009, has rated 415 lenses, favorited 321, and has created 43 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "A Christmas Carol Unit Study". See all my lenses
Have fun in your music studies and practice, practice, practice!
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- hlkljgk hlkljgk Nov 12, 2009 @ 9:00 am
- wonderful resources
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- kab kab Nov 3, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
- I've never been able to learn to read music.
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- skiesgreen skiesgreen Nov 2, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
- This lens is fantastic to help anyone who wants to learn to play. I taught myself in my teens to play the piano but have never been really good at it. Great stuff. 5* and fave plus lens rolled it to my lenses
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- beat-maker beat-maker Sep 27, 2009 @ 2:00 am
- Great lense, man good material cheers
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- SpellOutloud SpellOutloud Sep 19, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
- Wonderful information!
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