![Do People with ADHD Have Difficulty Playing from Sheet Music - Girl with Violin - Prodigy Meaning: Examples of Special Talent in Music [Video] - 50 Essential Music Symbols Explained in Less Than 5 Minutes](https://successmusicstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Do-People-with-ADHD-Have-Difficulty-Playing-from-Sheet-Music-Girl-with-Violin-682x1024.jpg)
Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you a parent or a music teacher of an ADHD student who struggles with reading music? Though many people with ADHD have a hard time reading music, multisensory teaching methods can help! Read more to answer the question, “Do people with ADHD have difficulty playing from sheet music?”
Yes, People with ADHD Can Have Difficulty Playing from Sheet Music
“Do people with ADHD have difficulty playing from sheet from music?” According to Sara Raviotta*, 85% of students with ADHD also have mild dyslexia.
- In addition, she quoted the International Dyslexia Association that “20% of [the] population has dyslexia,” and the CDC that, “up to 13% has ADHD.”
- This means that at least 1 in 5 kids that music instructors will see will have learning and/or attention issues. However, she goes on to say, “Among musicians [it] may be closer to 50% [that] have dyslexia.”
If this is true, why do so many people with dyslexia and ADHD gravitate to music? Because music lends itself well to their visual-spatial styles of learning. For more information:
How Do We Help People with ADHD Read Sheet Music?
“Do people with ADHD have difficulty playing from sheet music?” Many students with ADHD will have problems with reading music. However, some students with ADHD have no problems at all with playing from a score.
If your student struggles with reading music, I suggest you 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 to Empower LD Achievement
- Color Coded Quarter Note Clapping
If you find these helpful, check out the rest of the color coding posts in the ADD post archive. Every other post deals with color coding:
Final Thoughts to “Do People with ADHD Have Difficulty Playing from Sheet Music?”
“Do people with ADHD have difficulty playing from sheet music?” While not all students have issues with reading, parents and music teachers should keep an eye out for it just in case.
If your student needs help, color coding the music is a scientifically proven multisensory teaching method that works for ADHD, LD, ASD, and other special needs students.
Related Content
- Color Coding Music for Success
- How to Color Code Music Notes for LD & Special Needs Distance Learning
- Color Coded Eighth Note Clapping
*At her presentation in 2022 at the ABLE Assembly (a special needs arts conference).
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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.
Read More
Singing Shape Note Solfege Aeolian Melodies
Do you want to sing Eastern European folk melodies and mediaeval chants? Are you puzzled about how the aeolian mode works? Modes have been a feature of music from ancient times to today. Singing Shape Note Solfege Aeolian Melodies lets you explore the exotic sound of the aeolian mode. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Read More
How to Deal with Students Who Act Out in Music Lessons
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.
Read More
What Exactly Is a Ballad and How Do You Write One?
“What exactly is a ballad and how do you write one?” Ballads have been around for a long time but remain a popular song form to this day. Keep reading to get the definition and some expert advice for writing your song. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Read More