Reading Music 5

(part 5 of 6 from the article Reading Music)

How can I help my student learn to read?

Reviewing pre-reading concepts or games used at lessons can be a fun thing to do with children at any age.  Once printed music is introduced, spend at least 8-10 minutes of each practice time working on reading.  Reading music is a separate skill from playing music, so don’t be surprised when beginning reading assignments are much simpler than the Suzuki repertoire your child is studying.  Look at the printed page, review the lesson notes, and talk with your child about anything the teacher pointed out as important.  Clap the reading assignment first to practice the rhythm.  Have your child name the notes they see on the page.  Then ask him/her to play through the assignment and listen for correct notes.  Play through the assignment again with the goal of having correct notes that follow the rhythm you practiced clapping.  If reading is a struggle, break the assignment down into smaller chunks—even one or two measures at a time, if necessary, and practice using the same steps.  Remember when you worked with your kindergartener at sounding out words?  This is the same idea!  As your child’s reading ability develops, a progressive variety of music will be introduced to continue developing skills.  Picture books lead to early chapter books which lead to novels!