Flash Cards & Note Reading Apps

There are many different tools to help you to become a better music reader.  Some of the ideas and concepts are shown in the videos above.  However, the best way to get really good at reading your music, is by just doing it...a lot!!!  

Flash Cards are a fantastic tool to get familiar with both the note names, and then more importantly playing the notes.  Here are flash cards you can either print, or a flash card app that you can download on your mobile device.

Flash Card Games

1. Read the Notes - Flip through your cards in random order and work at saying the correct name quickly and accurately. DON'T GUESS!  It doesn't help your reading skills to quickly blurt out 3 incorrect names, just trying to be the first one to answer.  

2. Play the Notes (Requires a Helper) - Have a friend/parent/sibling/ flip through the cards in a random order, as you hold your instrument.  Attempt to play the correct note quickly, without looking at your instrument.  Have your fingers hovering, ready to go, so all you have to do is drop the correct number of fingers and play.

3. Create a piece of music with your cards - Arrange your flash cards in a random order on your music stand.  Play through the "piece" that you've created.  If you struggle playing the notes the first time, continue to repeat the piece until you can play through the notes quickly, and accurately, using a steady tempo.