You see all those notes on lines and spaces and don’t have a clue about how to read music. Maybe you know enough to get by but start to get overwhelmed when trying to read notes. These are common feelings when first starting to learn music.

Learning to read music starts with a basic understanding of notes. The note itself conveys two simple aspects and is the place you begin to learn to read music.

To prepare you with a good start on reading music you need to begin with concepts of what are notes and what do they mean. This along with other characteristics are what will enable you to internalize notes and the music that follows.

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The nineties have been the decade for widespread news about the affects of music on the brain. Everyone seems to be asking about the “Mozart Effect”, specifically what it is and how to use it to their child’s benefit. It is certainly an exciting time to be a music educator and a parent. We are finally able to look at documented research that shows that music is integral to a child’s growth, and use this information to help our children achieve their full potential. What more do we want as parents than to give our children all of the tools necessary to become happy, well-adjusted, intelligent human beings?

Unfortunately, like most popular theories, the “Mozart Effect” has become watered down in an effort by some people to make more money at the expense of the general public. You can go into any bookstore nowadays and buy “Mozart Effect” books, videos, tapes, and even bumper stickers.

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