We all know the secret to learning to read music: there is no secret. It’s a hard truth when you’re just starting out - the idea that there’s just no way around it, you won’t learn your notes unless you practice! And when it comes to reading notes on the staff, many students don’t get the workout that they need on a regular basis. Here’s an easy way to make note-reading part of their routine on a regular basis.

While a student might have a perfectly good sense of rhythm, a nice ear, and know their notes by heart, handing them a scale pattern and saying “Go ahead, I’ll play the chords, you take a solo!” can be confusing or just overwhelming. What a student needs at this early stage is a real practical example. They need to hear what the notes they have learned can do! And that’s what you’re there for.

What happens when you finally get to start a student off from absolute zero? No more blaming the old teacher who gave them poor technique and got them hooked on tablature! A good first lesson can set the standard for the rest of the school year, and ensure smooth sailing for both teacher and student.