Welcome to Melody Piano

As music educators,  it is imperative that we keep in constant practice.  I like to do this by picking a new piece every week.  I try to keep my pieces within a range that allows variety.  Last week I was working on a piece by composer Robert Schumann.  This week, I am working on a modern piece.  I am working on the Ben Folds Version of a song called, "Fred Jones".  Ben Folds is one of my modern day heroes when it comes to pianists.  Although the subject matter to this song is quite sad, it is one of the most beautiful songs that I think I have ever heard.  It is about a man named Fred Jones that has been working at a factory for 25 years, and gets laid off.  Please enjoy the video,  What piece are you currently working on?  Who is one of your heroes in music?

When beginning to learn how to sight read, it is understandable that an individual can become overwhelmed and frustrated.  It is just like learning anything else, really.  The reason that it seems so hard is because it is fresh, and new.  If you let yourself become overwhelmed by it, it can easily push you away from it. 

The best way to build your sight reading skills is in the basics.  I think that it is very important to always remember to rely on what you may know already.  I like to think of the grand staff as the "map" of the piano.  When teaching someone to begin sight reading, I start by going over the basics.  Sarting with helping someone understand how the grand staff and the piano correlate directly with each other.  First thing is first,  it is imperitive that you know where the notes on the piano are before you begin to read music. 

The biggest tip that I can give you about the grand staff;  Take a copy of a grand staff,  and turn it on its side.  Make sure that the treble clef is on the right, and the bass clef is on the left.  The reason for this exersize is to see how it really is set up just like the piano.  The treble clef is also on the right side of the piano, and the bass cleff is on the left side of the piano.

What are Treble and Bass Clef?

The treble clef is a symbol that indicates a higher pitch will be played to the musician.  This higher pitch will always be "UP" on the piano.  "UP" on the piano is to the RIGHT. 

The bass clef is a symbol that indicates a lower pitch  will be played to the musician.  This lower pitch will always be "DOWN" on the piano.  "DOWN" on the piano is to the LEFT. 

 

For any questions that you have about beginning to sight read,  please contact me.  I would be glad to help you.  I am also offering an online sight reading course throught the Ashbury Music Hall.  For more online lesson details, just shoot me an e-mail.  Melodypiano.net@Gmail.com