Learn to Read Music

by Howard Shanet

This book Will

-teach the notation of music to those who have never known it before
-serve as a systematic reminder for those who once knew how to read music but have forgotten most of it
-serve as a practical classroom text book in the rudiments of music
-serve as a helpful reference book for the student in music appreciation and related courses

This book Will Not

-teach you to sing like Tebaldi
-make you a wizard at the piano or any other instrument
-turn you into an Irving Berlin or a Beethoven

But it will teach Anyone —even the tone-deaf—to read melodies and pick them out on the piano.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1964

Reviews

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author claims to be able to teach student to read music in one 4-hour session. I believe it’s possible in a face-to-face situation but trying to learn to read music without being able to ask questions didn’t work for me.

[Sara Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avvicinarsi al mondo della musica significa prendere una saggia quanto pesante decisione. La musica è una componente essenziale per la sopravvivenza umana e cercare di capirla un passo in più verso questo futuro. Cercare di spiegarla può essere davvero più complicato che impararla. Le note e le scale non sono che una minima parte del tutto, introdurre un neofita ad una lettura e comprensione del testo musicale è tanto arduo.
Shanet nel suo manuale accompagna mano mano il lettore verso la via della lettura del pentagramma. Una breve infarinatura ma perfetta per chi si accinge per la prima volta a questo tipo di studio.
P.s.: meglio avere un piano sotto mano!

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy little book, explaining as it does what all those symbols mean. My limited ability to parse out musical phrases comes from reading this book. It is filled with exercises to help the reader understand not just note values, but also tempo, dynamics, and other concepts. Through the use of familiar songs like "Jingle Bells" and "The Doxology," the author assists the student in learning to read music.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book if all you want is a thorough understanding of the Western music staff. It covers notations for rhythms and pitch, notational shortcuts, a bit of history on how modern music notation evolved -- everything you might expect -- and more. I learned quite a bit, understanding that I started near zero.

[Alvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing my ability to read sheet music. This book is old (published in the 50's I think) but does the job superbly. A quick accessible read and a great refresher for me.

[John Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was clear and well thought out.

[Triseugeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read first half. I still feel like I need a Music Theory class, but maybe that's just me.