Learn to read music: Beginners Course

Learn to read music notes and sheets with our music and singing courses in Sydney.

Western music notation is a language that has been developing for thousands of years. It has been described as one of humankind’s most creative achievements. We have designed this class to assist you in learning how to read and interpret the complex symbols and how they convey the composer’s intentions.This music reading course is a course in Music Theory and Terminology.

Course Outcomes

Learn how to read music notes/sheets
Lear how to interpret complex music symbols

Ideal for

Anyone who wants to read music! No prior knowledge needed. Great for those just starting in music, or experienced musicians who want a refresher on the basics.

Course Content

Session 1 How to write music

• Note names and values (quavers, crotchet, minims, semibreves and rests)
• Drawing notes with stems
• Time signature (counting and rhythm in bars of 4/4 time)
• Barlines, double bar line and double bar repeat
• How to make up your rhythm
• The grand staff
• Treble clef and bass clef
• treble clef and bass clef note names for lines and spaces
• What an octave is (8ve)

Session 2 How to read music

• Recap last lesson of reading music
• Dynamic abbreviations (p, mp, mf, f,<,>)
• Music terminology (e.g. crescendo, decrescendo)
• Legato and staccato notes
• Note names on a keyboard
• Semitones and tones
• Practice reading and writing notes on the staff (lines and spaces)

Session 3 Key Signatures

• The C major scale
• Key signatures using sharps (G major)
• Key signatures using flats (F major)
• Relative major and minor scales (working out the relatives = major to minor, down three semitones)
• Hearing the difference between major and minor chords (major =happy sound, minor = sad sound)

Session 4 Writing music in major and minor keys

• Recapping the last three lessons
• Music signs and terms recap
• Transposing music in a different key
• Intervals
• Chords

Venue

Rozelle Campus, corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd, Rozelle (in the grounds of St. Joseph’s Church). If driving, no entry into Gordon Street from Victoria Road. Last block on your right before Victoria Road. Pedestrian access is opposite Prince Street.

Other Information

Sydney Community College is a social enterprise with a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.