I Can Read Music, Volume 1: A note reading book for VIOLIN students

I’m a Suzuki teacher, and I have been using this book for teaching my students for 20 years. It is the best out there. I use it for kids of all ages and adults. Use a metronome with it from the beginning to help establish what a beat is. I start using volume 2 of this when I get half way through volume 1, and then give them an assignment from both volume 1 and 2 each week after that, so that the basic concepts in the beginning of volume 1 aren’t forgotten. (Basics are reviewed in beginning of volume 2.). Don’t skip or rush through them, and with metronome, your students will become solid music readers. Despite the assumption Suzuki kids can’t read, (and I was one of those poor kids as a child), many of my students have scored the highest in all-state auditions in sight reading after being trained through these books.

Mr daughter is learning the violin and this book is very easy for her to use. She is learning pitch and rhythm. Love it!

This is a great note reading book for Suzuki trained children. It is very comprehensive in that the child really knows how to read the note and rhythm backwards and forward by the time they finish the book. The book keeps the pitch practice separate from the theory, but is set up into easy lessons. I use this with my violin students. I use one lesson a week. It takes about a year to complete it. I have the kids sing the names of the note in pitch before they ever play it. I do the same with counting the rythms. I will not start a student note reading until they can proficently play without their posture becoming compromise as I try to distract them while they play. I expect consistant good tone before a child ever begins to note read.

My 8 and 9 year olds love going though this book. It's easy to follow and it jump starts them learning how to read music.

My daughter is seven years old, and has been doing Suzuki violin since she was five. We have now started using this note reading book in our practices, and it is working well. We are about halfway through the book, and she is getting very comfortable reading notes. I think it's important that the student is old enough to be comfortable reading (as in reading books) before starting to learn note reading. Another key is to use this book the right way. We started at lesson one, and for each row of notes, my daughter first says the name of each note in the line. Then she plays it. We only play the line once (if she gets it right) or twice (if she makes mistakes), because the point it to read the notes. After the second time playing a line of music, she has it memorized and she is no longer reading it. We only do about three lines of music per day and then switch to our typical violin practice.

I teach suzuki method, and once students get about half way through book 1 of the suzuki violin. I bring out this book. Because I no longer have to worry about posture, and the students are comfortable with their bowing and they know the note names of most of their finger postions on the violin, they can easily just focus on reading the music. the direction of this book is very thoughtful. If you go in sequence order it will be very rewarding. Each lesson has just notation on page and then just rhythm on the other. the rhythm is also done in different time signatures as well. I really like the layout of this book. It makes since, and makes sure the student really is READING the music.

" I can Read Music " I think most teachers would agree that this is an excellent teaching tool. Young students can learn to read fast and easy using this book. I have 30+ years of teaching music not only private but in public school as a band teacher and I can honestly say this book has helped many of my students. I have a young 5 year old just starting violin and it is amazing to see how fast she is learning her notes. If a student can't read music then no matter how well they memorize or how well they handle the instrument the fact is they will not be able to sit in an ensemble..... "Learn to read music!" Richard C.

This is to be used by a teacher during lessons and then practiced at home. It is not a teach yourself system. It is designed for young children, and contrary to some thoughts out there, it does not squelch any musical desires. Young children love the fact that they can conquer a lesson a week, and love the way they can be successful - thereby celebrating every small step. I use this in my studio of 30 students, and as long as it is taught well, it is a challenge enjoyed by all. Read the intro - for the "pitch" section, you are to go through it saying all of the note names, then again with the finger numbers - both with steady pulse. Then you play it. The rhythm section is clapped, then played. I would highly recommend it.

Come da descrizioni. Acquistato perché mia figlia frequenta la scuola Suzuki, è al 2° anno di violino, la maestra utilizza questo libro.

Acheté pour mes élèves ayant du mal à lire et associer les notes sur leur instrument. Très progressif et parfaitement adapté : la lecture commence par les notes utilisées au début de l'apprentissage (corde à vide, puis 1er doigt, etc.), contrairement aux méthodes habituelles. Ce qui permet de renforcer le lien entre lecture et connaissance du manche et des doigtés (lecture, puis chant puis jeu sur l'instrument). La page de droite est consacrée au rythme, pas utilisée pour le moment mais très bien faire aussi.

not as clear as expected when one cannot read music at all and starts with this book Good examples - acceptable

Lo bueno de este libro es que está orientado específicamente a violinistas. Es muy sencillo, para empezar de cero. Para alguien que ya sepa algo de lenguaje quizá se quede demasiado básico y tendría que empezar directamente con el volumen 2.

Excelente libro para iniciar con el aprendizaje de la lectura musical.