Key Sounds UK • January 10, 2023

Three Hacks to Read Sheet Music Faster

1.    Keyboard Geography

 

Every note found on piano sheet music corresponds to a piano key. While there are 88 keys in total on a full-sized instrument, they are made up of letters with and without symbols which repeat in steps as we move across the keyboard. To learn how to read sheet music you would learn how to recognise the notes on the stave and find them on the keyboard based on the patterns you have been taught.

 

As you can see there are a set of two black keys followed by three black keys. This pattern then repeats across the keyboard alongside the letter names.

Keyboard geography is how efficiently we can navigate the layout of the piano keys with the sheet music.

2.    Treble and Bass Clef Acronyms 

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. 

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’.

 

 

3.    Resources & Games

 

Use to test yourself

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

July 7, 2025
If you’ve ever tried finding a piano tutorial online for your 5–8 year old, you’ll know the struggle. Many videos move too fast, expect too much from young beginners, or feature songs your child doesn’t recognise or care about. What starts as excitement can quickly turn into confusion or boredom, especially when there’s no clear structure to follow.  At Key Sounds UK, we’ve taken a different approach. Our brand-new online course (launching end of July) is designed specifically for beginners aged 5–8. We teach real fundamentals like letter names and hand position, then guide children through learning their favourite, age-appropriate songs first with one hand at a time, then both, slowly and at speed. It’s paced, purposeful, and fun because that’s how kids learn best. If you’re looking for an online course that feels like it was actually built for your child, not just another “copy this” tutorial, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to share more before launch. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
June 30, 2025
We hear this often from parents: “My child loved the first few videos but then it all went off-track.” Most free and paid piano content online doesn’t follow a clear path. It might teach one song well, but the next video jumps to something completely different, leaving kids (and parents!) unsure what to do next. For a beginner, that lack of direction can be discouraging. That’s why we’ve created a course for 5–8 year olds that keeps things simple and consistent. Launching at the end of July, it teaches foundational knowledge in small, achievable steps starting with letter names and hand placement, and progressing to slow and fast play with recognisable songs your child will actually want to learn. The result? Clear progression and a real sense of achievement. If you’d like to find out more or see if it’s the right fit for your child, just send us a message. We’re happy to talk through how the course works and how you can get involved. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact Find out more about our course 'Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players' here: https://stan.store/reshmipatel_/p/five-favourite-songs-for-beginner-piano-players
June 23, 2025
If your child has bounced between piano apps, videos, or beginner books, you’re not alone. Many parents tell us the same thing: “They were excited at first, but then it faded.” The reason? Most courses aren’t designed with young children in mind. They move too quickly, expect too much too soon, or lack the structure kids need to feel like they’re making real progress. At this age, children learn best when lessons feel familiar, repetitive in a good way, and include songs they recognise and love. That’s the thinking behind our new online course for 5–8s, launching this July. It’s built around how young kids actually learn slow, clear steps; songs they already enjoy; and a friendly guide through every hand movement, letter name, and rhythm. If you're looking for something a bit more thoughtful than YouTube scrolling and random tutorials, feel free to reach out. We'd love to tell you more and help you see if this fits your child’s learning style. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact Find out more about our course 'Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players' here: https://stan.store/reshmipatel_/p/five-favourite-songs-for-beginner-piano-players
More Posts