Learning to Read Music
In recent weeks, some members have had conversations with me about wanting to improve and learn more about musical theory, notation and musical rudiments. Of course, if we are going to improve our ‘Choir Experience’ a little supplemental learning will go along way to aid improvement, enjoyment and personal confidence and satisfaction.
As such, our regular weekly rehearsals are filled with busy learning and trying to ‘fine tune’ our musical repertoire for whichever event we have on the horizon. This leaves little time for quite an extended topic; e.g it would take me circa 12 weeks, of an hour session, to get a basic understanding to realise a Grade 1 Music Theory Level (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (ABRSM).
However, as a music educator, I remembered some excellent videos on YouTube, which I used in school and are a very good way to pick up the basics, explained in a clear and concise way. Also, you can go back and re-watch, if you didn’t understand it the first time. So, if you are interested and have some spare time, have a look at these and tell me what you think.
Happy Learning!
Huw
Music Theory Links
N.B. Click on each link, or copy link into your search engine to watch. Apologies if you need to skip adverts – nature of the beast.
Level One
The Treble Clef (Understanding & Identifying Notes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le10tF_3YWg
The Bass Clef (Understanding & Identifying Notes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMk-q5LCiAs
The Importance of Middle C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I39Poqbu3Ik
Time Signatures (Part 1 – The Basics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvx57P4oKo
Key Signatures (Part 1 – The Basics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdH6K6LPuS0
Note Names, Rests & Dotted Notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=168Y5HiYeFw
Slurs & Ties explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcEdW8Ycmsk
Accidentals and Semitones (half-steps) explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkgQfQYcZgc
Level Two
Key Signatures (Part 2 – Up to 3 sharps and flats) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV7qrUWGrN4
Time Signatures (Part 2 – The Simple & Compound) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xsoi-NKw8
Major Scales (Using Tones & Semitones) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDKT6iTbduA
Minor Scales (The Basics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUkoMq7_rc4
Level Three
Alto & Tenor Clefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgmJP-gsS34
Technical Names of Scale Notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAgiI4y8A7I
Key Signatures (Part 3 – Layout of all Keys on Treble, Bass, Alto & Tenor Clefs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDKT6iTbduA
Minor Scales (Part 2 - Harmonic Minors) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IojElKPpVA0
Minor Scales (Part 3 - Melodic Minors) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsKuZX-4WEs
Time Signatures (Part 3 – Less common Time Signatures) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfMXkx-3lRU
Time Signatures (Part 4 – Irregular Time Signatures) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC2gBZUOv-Q
More-advanced
Link to Music Theory Guy https://www.youtube.com/@musictheoryguy
