The Blog Category Is Expanding:
I’ve expanded the blog category to include general special needs topics in addition to the adapted score posts.
The Adapted Score:
Why color code music? Color has appeared in music scores for as long as there has been music notation. Moreover, color is a proven, powerful teaching tool. George L. Rogers has shown that color coding provides an access point for LD and special needs students for score reading.
With color, the special needs and LD students in his study exceled at sight reading tasks. However, without the color, they were entirely unable to read the score at all.
Therefore, students have the opportunity to experience success and thus avoid the failure that often comes with more traditional approaches. For many of these students, success is critically important. Success helps with both self-concept and self-esteem.
The cornerstone category article:
The posts may be read in any order, but I suggest that you read these two posts first:
Playing and clapping exercises:
Graduating from the color coding
The remaining posts can be read in any order you like:
These posts focus on non-color-coding special needs issues:
Learning differences posts:
The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2022 Geoffrey Keith
Back to the Successful Music Student Blogs page
Do your students mix up the ledger line notes? Click to learn the process of how to graduate from the color coded music notation. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Graduate from the Color Coded Music Notation: Part 4 Read More »
Has your child been asking about music lessons? Have you worried about how it will go? Learning how to play an instrument will help build your child’s self-confidence and self-concept. But what types of instruments will work best with your child’s learning style? In today’s post, we’ll discuss what you should consider when selecting an instrument. Click to answer the question, “What is a good instrument for a dyslexic child to learn?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
What Is a Good Instrument for a Dyslexic Child to Learn? Read More »
Do you struggle with reading music notes? Have you always wanted to learn to read music, but found it too hard? Try rainbow colored music notes. This post has stories about musicians who’ve achieved music literacy through color coded music notation. Click to learn about accurately reading musical notes and the colors of a rainbow. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Accurately Reading Musical Notes and the Colors of a Rainbow Read More »
Do you have a hard time reading music? Have you ever wondered if color coding the music notes would help? Read more to find out the answer to the question, “Is there a color code for music notes?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Is There a Color Code for Music Notes? Read More »
Do visual spatial thinkers (and other neurodivergent) musicians need to have sheet music tailored to how they learn? Neurodivergent musicians learn in fundamentally different ways from typical leaners. This means that students with learning differences (LD) can greatly benefit from adapted scores. Read more to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you have a hard time accurately performing rests? (Or are you a music instructor whose students struggle with feeling the rhythm?) You’re not alone! Many musicians struggle with reading rhythm. Read more to learn about color coded quarter rest clapping. Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Color Coded Quarter Rest Clapping Read More »
Has your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability? Do you feel confused because your child is so smart, but still struggles to learn? Read more to learn about learning differences and spatial ability. Estimated reading time 6 minutes.
Learning Differences and Spatial Ability: Part 1 Read More »
Do you get confused by musical diagrams? Do you want to learn how to turbocharge the learning process? Look no further, I can help. Read more to learn about color coding musical diagrams. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
How to Color Code Musical Diagrams Read More »
Do your students get confused by space note D at the bottom of the treble staff? Or do they have a problem with space note B on the top of the bass staff? Read more to learn how to switch from color coded notes to special mnemonics, allowing students to graduate from the color coded music score. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Graduate from the Color Coded Music Score: Part 3 Read More »
Music teachers, do you have students that complain that the music’s too hard? Or do they act out a lot? This happens when students worry that they will fail. How can we, as music teachers, fix the situation? Read more to learn how to deal with students who act out in music lessons. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
How to Deal with Students Who Act Out in Music Lessons Read More »