One Minute Workout: The Benefits of Reading Music at Speed
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 15
As musicians, we often talk about the importance of practice, but what does that really mean? One of the most fundamental skills for any musician is the ability to read music fluently. This isn't just about identifying notes; it's about processing the musical language quickly, just like reading words on a page. The benefits of developing this skill, particularly at sight, are immense and can truly transform a student’s musical journey.
Building a Strong Foundation for Reading Music
When a student can read notes quickly, it's a game-changer. It frees up their mental capacity to focus on other crucial elements of performance, such as musicality, expression, and technique. Instead of stumbling over individual notes, they can see phrases, harmonies, and structures, allowing them to truly "hear" the music in their minds before they play it. This leads to a more confident and fluent performance, whether they are playing a solo piece or performing in an ensemble.
At Triquetrae Music Academy, we understand the importance of building this foundational skill. That's why we have integrated the Learn Music Notes app, an open source app (This is not Stalybridge Music Academy application, rather an open source link https://github.com/MelvilQ/noten-lernen developed by Patrick Pauli), into our daily practice routine for students. The app provides a structured and efficient way for students to improve their note-reading speed, particularly with the treble and bass clefs.
The instructions are straightforward and designed to promote consistent, daily engagement:
Students are asked to spend just one minute each day practicing the treble and bass clefs at the "Easy" setting.
After each practice session, they take a screenshot of their score and send it via WhatsApp to the academy. This simple, five-day process leads up to their next lesson.
Students earn a "gem" for every two screenshots they submit with the same score or an improved score, which gamifies the process and makes it more engaging. Gems can be spent on trinkets, stickers, fidget spinners etc. in the Gem-Bouree. The Gem-Bouree is a gift shop but items can only be purchased with gems that are earnt in the lesson, from homework and from personal achievements.
Empowering Students and Tracking Progress
This approach provides a clear path for improvement and offers several key benefits for both students and parents. By asking students to send the screenshots themselves, it promotes independence in their practice and fosters a sense of responsibility in completing their tasks. The screenshots also serve as a valuable record of their progress. We include these in a student's online portfolio, which is especially useful for those moments when confidence or enthusiasm dips. By looking back at their progress, students can visibly see how far they've come, reinforcing their commitment and motivating them to continue.
Ultimately, mastering the art of sight-reading is not just about playing the right notes; it’s about unlocking a deeper connection with music. It transforms the act of playing from a mechanical exercise into a fluid, expressive, and truly enjoyable experience. We encourage all our students to embrace this practice and witness the remarkable benefits for themselves.
Download the app from
Google play (link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.melvil.noten&hl=en_GB ) or
App Store (link https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/learn-music-notes/id1635684624 )
Download the summary worksheet and instructions below. This is the document your TQ teacher has in your lesson folder. Should you wish to keep your own tally please download the document below.
Examples from Students
Rewards
Quiz
Answer the following questions based on the above article. Take the answers too your lesson and achieve over 80% correct for two gems.
Beyond simply identifying notes, what does "reading music fluently" encompass, and what mental benefit does it offer a musician during performance?
How does the ability to read music quickly contribute to a musician's overall performance quality, particularly in terms of confidence and fluency?
Which specific open-source application has Triquetrae Music Academy integrated into its daily practice routine for students, and what is its primary purpose?
Describe the daily practice routine that students at Triquetrae Music Academy are asked to follow when using the "Learn Music Notes" app.
How do students track and submit their progress when using the note-reading app, and what is the frequency of this submission process?
Explain the "gem" system implemented by Triquetrae Music Academy. How are gems earned, and what is their ultimate purpose?
What is the "Gem-Bouree," and what types of items can students acquire there?
How does the process of students sending their own screenshots promote their independence and sense of responsibility?
In what way do the submitted screenshots serve as a valuable record of progress, and where are they stored for students?
How does reflecting on their progress, as documented by the screenshots, help students when their confidence or enthusiasm for music practice dips?
Glossary of Key Terms
Fluent Music Reading: The ability to rapidly process musical notation, understanding phrases, harmonies, and structures without stumbling over individual notes.
Sight-Reading: The act of reading and performing a piece of music for the first time without prior practice.
Treble Clef: A symbol used in musical notation, typically indicating the G above middle C, used for higher-pitched instruments and voices.
Bass Clef: A symbol used in musical notation, typically indicating the F below middle C, used for lower-pitched instruments and voices.
Musicality: The quality of having a good understanding of music, and the ability to perform it with skill and feeling.
Expression (in music): The ability to convey emotion, feeling, or a particular mood through musical performance.
Technique (musical): The practical skill or method applied to playing a musical instrument or singing.
Learn Music Notes app: An open-source application integrated by Triquetrae Music Academy to help students improve their note-reading speed.
Gamification: The application of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts, such as earning "gems" for practice.
Gem-Bouree: Triquetrae Music Academy's term for a reward shop where students can exchange earned "gems" for items.
Online Portfolio: A digital collection of a student's work and progress, in this case including screenshots of their note-reading scores.
Ensure your teacher has completed the TQ Teacher Training CPD course to run this programme. Ask to see their TQ Training Certificate.
