Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
“Why am I so bad at reading sheet music? How can I learn to read better?” At least part of the problem rests with the music notation itself. Don’t worry, I can give you some tips to help you read music! Read more to learn why you struggle with reading sheet music and what you can do about it.
This article uses technical musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Why Am I So Bad at Reading Sheet Music? Because of the Counter Intuitive Nature of Music Notation.
- “Why am I so bad at reading sheet music?” It may be less about you and more about the notation.
- Siu-Lan Tan found music notation to be counter intuitive for non-musicians, and by extension, new musicians. If fact, the subjects in the study thought the whole note should be held the shortest, because it looked hollow. Conversely, they thought the 32nd note should be held the longest, because it looked darker and had more projections.
- Besides the counter intuitive aspects of the notation, a musician needs to know about half a dozen or so rhythmic symbols. Also, they’ll need to put them into the context of the meter to effectively execute the rhythm. This can be challenging. Likewise, there will be challenges for reading notes as well.
- Color coding the rhythm and notes greatly simplifies the music and helps struggling and reluctant readers to be able to read music. Likewise, shape notes will help vocalists to sight sing.
- You can use these multisensory strategies as a bridge to music literacy. However, the reading aids can be phased out over time. For color coding and shape note resources, see the next section.
![Why it's so hard for someone with a good ear to learn sheet music - sheet-music and mini keyboard - Why Am I So Bad at Reading Sheet Music - Prodigy Meaning: Examples of Special Talent in Music [Video]](https://successmusicstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Why-its-so-hard-for-someone-with-a-good-ear-to-learn-sheet-music-sheet-music-and-mini-keyboard-1024x682.jpg)
Why Am I So Bad at Reading Sheet Music and How Can I Do Something About It?
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
“Why am I so bad at reading sheet music and what can I do about it?” I recommend that instrumentalists color code the score:
- Playing the Piano with Color Coded Notes
- Playing Piano with Color Coded Left Hand Notes
- How to Color Code Guitar Tab
- Color Coding Music for Success
Vocalists should try sight singing using shape note solfege:
- Shape Note Sight Singing Success
- Sight Singing with Solfege
- Singing with the Kodaly Rhythmic Syllables
I use these strategies when working with LD and special needs music students. However, they also work great for struggling typical learners too.
Concluding Thoughts to “Why Am I So Bad at Reading Sheet Music?”
“Why am I so bad at reading sheet music?” Because sheet music can be challenging to learn. However, with good learning strategies, you too can read music.
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
Where Do I Start if I Want to Be Able to Sing A Cappella?
Do you want to be able to sing with an a cappella group while having both great tone and tuning? An a cappella group is an ensemble that performs without instrumental accompaniment. This allows your group to lock in the harmonies, which helps achieve the distinctive vocal blend you find in this style. How do you do this? Through ear training and physical skills instruction. Keep reading “Where Do I Start if I Want to Be Able to Sing A Cappella?” to learn the essential skills you’ll need. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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How to Harmonize in Minor Keys
Do you have a hard time singing minor keys in tune? According to Hagerman and Sundberg, minor thirds are almost as hard to tune by ear as major seconds, and much harder than major thirds. However, sing-along song tracks can help! Read more to learn how to harmonize in minor keys. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Color Coded Eighth Note Clapping
Does reading eighth note rhythm notation give you fits? (Or do your students struggle with eighth notes?) Many musicians have trouble reading rhythm, especially ADD, ASD, LD, and special needs students. Read more to learn color coded eighth note clapping. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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How to Play and Tune Parlor Guitar Style
Have you just bought a parlor guitar and thought it’d be cool to learn parlor guitar style? The guitar’s tuning impacts how it sounds and what styles will sound good on it. Read more to learn how to play and tune parlor guitar style. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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