Let's Read!

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

The early stages of beginning band can be thought of as a three-phase process:

    1. Learn to make a quality sound on the mouthpiece or head joint, then the full instrument.
    2. Learn the first five notes of the concert B flat scale ("The First Five") while reading AlphaNotes.
    3. Transition from reading AlphaNotes to standard notation, the phase that most method books rush through.

When students begin phase three, many become frustrated, fall behind, or perhaps even quit band.

Let's Read! is designed to slow that phase down to very manageable segments. Notes are introduced sequentially, with constant reinforcement of practical music reading strategies. The material can be used in a full band setting, in an instrument lesson setting, or assigned as homework to individual students who need the extra support.

PART ONE: Diatonic Notes in Stepwise Motion

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

BASIC INSTRUMENTATION:

      • Flute/Bells (Oboe), Clarinet (Bass Clarinet), Alto Sax (Baritone Sax), Trumpet (Baritone TC, Alt F Horn), Trombone/Baritone BC (Bassoon)

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Neighboring notes are paired on each page, using line and space comparisons
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find line/space stepwise contour is strongly reinforced

PART ONE: Diatonic Notes in Stepwise Motion

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

EXTENDED INSTRUMENTATION:

SWITCH-OVERS NOT IN THE BASIC PACK

      • Tenor Sax, F Horn (Alt Oboe), Tuba, Alt Keyboard Percussion

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Neighboring notes are paired on each page, using line and space comparisons
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find line/space stepwise contour is strongly reinforced

PART ONE: Diatonic Notes in Stepwise Motion

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

FULL INSTRUMENTATION:

      • Flute, Oboe, Alt Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Alt French Horn, Trombone, Baritone (BC + TC), Tuba, Keyboard Percussion

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Neighboring notes are paired on each page, using line and space comparisons
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find line/space stepwise contour is strongly reinforced

PART TWO: Skips, Leaps, Expanded Range, New Notes and Key Signatures

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

BASIC INSTRUMENTATION:

      • Flute/Bells (Oboe), Clarinet (Bass Clarinet), Alto Sax (Baritone Sax), Trumpet (Baritone TC, Alt F Horn), Trombone/Baritone BC (Bassoon)

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Skips, leaps, expanded range notes, and new key signatures are isolated and introduced sequentially and slowly
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find recognizable musical patterns is strongly reinforced

PART TWO: Skips, Leaps, Expanded Range, New Notes and Key Signatures

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

EXTENDED INSTRUMENTATION:

SWITCH-OVERS NOT IN THE BASIC PACK

      • Tenor Sax, F Horn (Alt Oboe), Tuba, Alt Keyboard Percussion

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Skips, leaps, expanded range notes, and new key signatures are isolated and introduced sequentially and slowly
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find recognizable musical patterns is strongly reinforced

PART TWO: Skips, Leaps, Expanded Range, New Notes and Key Signatures

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

FULL INSTRUMENTATION:

      • Flute, Oboe, Alt Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Alt French Horn, Trombone, Baritone (BC + TC), Tuba, Keyboard Percussion

STRATEGIES INCLUDED:

      • Skips, leaps, expanded range notes, and new key signatures are isolated and introduced sequentially and slowly
      • Notes are identified by solfege syllables
      • Reading ahead to find recognizable musical patterns is strongly reinforced

BUNDLE BOTH FULL PARTS AND SAVE!

A "step by skip by leap" path to reading music

BUNDLE INCLUDES:

    • PART ONE: Diatonic Notes in Stepwise Motion

    • PART TWO: Skips, Leaps, Expanded Range, New Notes and Key Signatures

    • FULL INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, Oboe, Alt Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Alt French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Keyboard Percussion
    • All of the same great reading exercises and testing material for a discounted price