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Reshmi Patel • July 16, 2020
How to Read Sheet Music Faster
One of the greatest gifts a music student can receive is the gift of independence. To be able to pick up a song of their choice and having the skills to learn and play this at their own pace opens up a lifetime of both enjoyment and expression. In this blog post we’ll provide you with practical tips to ultimately help you read sheet music faster.
1. Stickers for your keys
Image: Amazon, Yuccer Piano Stickers
Although we don’t recommend this to everyone, for beginners who are really struggling to understand their keyboard geography*, we recommend they purchase piano stickers which can be stuck onto the individual keys. This will allow students to cross check reading their hand position with the music at a faster pace.
*Keyboard geography is how efficiently we can navigate the layout of the piano keys with the sheet music.
2. Treble Clef and Bass Clef
The Treble Clef can also be called the ‘G Clef’. This is because the first curve at the bottom crosses the letter G line which is found on the second line up on the stave.
Similarly, the Bass Clef can also be called the ‘F Clef’. This is because the large dot on the left-hand side of the clef where we would begin to draw the clef is on the second line down on the stave which is where we would find letter F on the music.
We can therefore use both of the alternative names of these clefs to work out notes on our music that are closer to them, as supposed to working them out from Middle C, which would take a longer period of time.
3. Treble/Bass Clef Acronyms
In music, there are several acronyms which can help us remember the pattern of the notes within the spaces and lines on the music.
For example, in between the Treble Clef spaces we can spell the word: ‘face’. In between the Treble Clef lines, we have the acronym: ‘Every Good Boy Deserves Football.’
In between the Bass Clef spaces we have an acronym which reads: ‘All Cows Eat Grass.’ In between the Bass Clef lines we have another acronym which reads: ‘Good Books Deserve Full Attention’.
4. Ledger Lines
Ledger lines are notes which are written below or above the stave.
Sometimes reading ledger lines can feel quite daunting but it’s important to bare in mind that the same patterns and rules apply when travelling from a line to a space on the music.
If we remember from section three of this article, the Treble Clef spaces spell the word ‘face’. We can also re-spell the word ‘face’ if we begin from the top line of the stave and ascend upwards on the music.
For most of us, we don’t tend to read ledger lines as frequently as the notes within or not too far out from the stave, so we may struggle to read ledger lines as fluently. However, using this hack will help you become more familiar with notes with the ledger lines faster!
5. Memorise Key Signatures
Finally, in order to read more complex music faster, you’ll need to learn and understand key signatures.
Key signatures tell us which flats and sharps we have in a scale, exercise or piece of music, rather than writing out the individual sharps or flats next to the notes.**
In the illustrations above you’ll find acronyms which will help you learn and memorise the order of the flats and sharps within key signatures and how they appear within the music.
**Writing a sharp, flat or natural sign directly next to a note in a scale, exercise or piece is known as an ‘accidental.’
Remember that when you are trying out these hacks to look at them little and often but also be patient with yourself. If you wish to know more about these hacks and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect with us directly.
Learning to play the piano is an exciting journey, and many students choose to follow a structured grading system, such as ABRSM, RCM, or Trinity College exams. These exams provide a clear roadmap for progress, but are they the right choice for every pianist? Let’s explore the pros and cons of graded piano exams to help you decide. Pros of Graded Piano Exams 1. Structured Learning Path – Grading systems provide a clear syllabus, ensuring students develop technique, sight-reading, and theory in a progressive manner. 2. Motivation and Goals – Exams give students specific targets to work towards, which can boost motivation and a sense of achievement. 3. Recognition and Credentials – Successfully passing exams provides certificates that can be useful for academic applications or music-related careers. 4. Feedback from Experts – Examiners offer constructive criticism and professional feedback to help students improve. 5. Skill Development – Preparing for exams builds discipline, performance confidence, and time management skills. Cons of Graded Piano Exams 1. Pressure and Stress – The exam environment can be stressful, which may discourage some students from enjoying the learning process. 2. Limited Repertoire – Grading systems focus on set pieces, potentially limiting exposure to a wider variety of music styles. 3. Focus on Technicality Over Creativity – Exams emphasize technique and accuracy, sometimes at the expense of creativity and personal interpretation. 4. Not Suitable for Every Learner – Some students may thrive with a more flexible, self-paced approach rather than a rigid grading structure. 5. Cost and Time Commitment – Preparing for and taking exams can be expensive and time-consuming, which may not suit every student’s lifestyle or budget. Grading systems offer a valuable framework for structured learning and skill development, but they are not the only path to mastering the piano. Some students benefit from the discipline and motivation that exams provide, while others thrive with a more flexible, exploration-based approach. Ultimately, the best path depends on the individual’s goals, learning style, and personal enjoyment of music. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
Parental involvement can significantly enhance a child's learning experience, particularly when it comes to music education. If your child is taking piano lessons, whether through home visits or at a teacher’s house, attending their lessons can have a positive impact on their progress. Here are some key benefits of sitting in on your child’s piano lessons. 1. Encourages Consistency in Practice When parents observe lessons, they gain a better understanding of what their child is learning. This enables them to reinforce concepts and techniques during practice sessions at home, leading to more effective learning and progress. 2. Strengthens Parent-Child Bond Sharing in the learning experience helps build a stronger connection between parent and child. It allows parents to show interest in their child’s musical journey, which can boost the child’s enthusiasm and motivation to improve. 3. Provides Support and Encouragement Children thrive on positive reinforcement. When parents are present, they can offer immediate praise and encouragement, making the learning process more enjoyable and fostering a sense of achievement. 4. Enhances Communication with the Teacher By attending lessons, parents can directly communicate with the teacher about their child’s progress, challenges, and areas for improvement. This creates a collaborative learning environment and ensures that both the teacher and parent are aligned in their approach. 5. Helps Create a Comfortable Learning Environment For children who receive lessons at home, having a parent nearby can provide a sense of security and comfort, especially for younger students. Similarly, if lessons take place at the teacher’s house, a parent's presence can help the child feel more at ease in an unfamiliar setting. Whether your child is learning piano through home visits or at a teacher’s house, sitting in on their lessons can be incredibly beneficial. From reinforcing practice habits to strengthening your relationship with your child, your presence can make a significant difference in their musical journey. By being actively involved, you can support and inspire them to reach their full potential while making music a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
Learning piano is an exciting journey, but beginners often run into the same challenges. Don’t worry—every pianist makes mistakes! The key is knowing how to fix them early. Let’s look at the five most common mistakes and how you can avoid them. 1. Skipping Warm-Ups Warming up might not seem exciting, but it’s essential for improving technique and preventing hand strain. Fix: Start each practice with simple finger exercises like scales and arpeggios. 2. Ignoring Posture & Hand Position Bad posture can cause tension and slow down your progress. Fix: Sit with a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and curved fingers. Ask your teacher to check your posture! 3. Relying Too Much on Sheet Music It’s tempting to read every note instead of listening and feeling the music. Fix: Try memorizing small sections and playing by ear to develop musical intuition. 4. Playing Too Fast, Too Soon Rushing through a piece leads to mistakes and frustration. Fix: Start slow! Gradually increase speed once you can play accurately. 5. Not Practicing Consistently Cramming hours of practice into one day won’t help—you need steady, regular practice. Fix: Even 10–15 minutes a day is better than one long session a week. Action Tip: Pick one mistake to focus on this week and make a small change to improve it! Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact .
