How to Read Music

Reading music can be challenging!

Use the videos below to help you understand it better!

Bridgie playing drums. A cartoon character with glasses playing a snare drum with drumsticks, smiling, in front of a colorful background with strings.
A cartoon character named Bridgie playing a flute.

Reading Rhythms (Page 13)

Rhythm Symbols tell us when to make sound or silence. Watch this video to help learn the basics of reading rhythms.

This video is for all instruments

Reading Music on the 5-Line Staff

(Page 14)

Treble Clef

Watch this video to help learn the basics of reading notes on a 5-line staff.

Watch this Treble Clef video if you play:

  • Flute

  • Clarinet

  • Oboe

  • Saxophone

  • French Horn

  • Trumpet

  • Euphonium (Treble Clef)

  • Bells

Bass Clef

Watch this video to help learn the basics of reading notes on a 5-line staff.

Watch this Bass Clef video if you play:

  • Bassoon

  • Trombone

  • Euphonium

  • Tuba

Percussion or Neutral Clef

Watch this video to help learn the basics of reading notes on a percussion staff.

Watch this Percussion Clef video if you play:

  • Snare Drum or Bass Drum

Color- Coded Instruments

Watch this video to help learn the basics of reading color-coded block notation.

Watch this Color-Coded Notation Video if you play:

  • The Color-Coded Block Notation Book