Students lucky enough to have Johnny Navarro for a teacher leave their first lesson already playing.  I was thrilled to catch this legendary Las Vegas composer, teacher and musician for an exclusive interview on his methods of learning and teaching music.

Learning to play music

When Johnny was 8, his grandma vetoed his request to play drums and bought him a guitar instead.  He was immediately hooked, although his early experiences with teachers left him frustrated because they required him to follow their lesson plans and would not let him learn from the music he enjoyed.  He quickly started teaching himself to play songs he liked and joined a band, where he absorbed techniques from the more experienced players.

Being largely self-taught, Johnny recognizes the importance of music theory and believes that every musician, regardless of instrument, can benefit from understanding rhythm and note values. “Reading music makes more sense for the piano,” he said, while “guitar tabs or chord charts are great for guitarists.”

Teaching Music with Software

A huge component of Johnny’s successful teaching methods are several music software programs. (Why use a slide rule when you can use a calculator?) Guitar Pro 6, Logic Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), and the Amazing Slow Downer are three of his favorites.

Boring, unfamiliar songs would challenge the motivation of even the most devoted student. Practicing your favorite songs makes it much easier to internalize rhythm, learn to play the correct notes, and draw out your emotions – the three essential components of musical mastery.

With Guitar Pro 6, Johnny’s students can download any song and immediately have sheet music with guitar tabs to take home with them at the end of the lesson. “I usually ask what they have on their iPod…that’s the music they love, and that’s the music I want them to learn to play.” Guitar Pro 6 also offers music theory lessons, virtual teachers, and the ability to write your own music.

Johnny teaches improvisation and composing skills to every student because he believes that learning to play your own compositions enables you to understand music more completely.  Logic DAW is a composer’s dream: first, write out the melody for your primary instrument and for the backup band.  Logic DAW (for Mac OS) plays  the melody, adds the harmonies and instruments, writes scores for all the music, synthesizes the sounds, records it — and viola! Students can both see and hear their music masterpieces come to life.  No wonder Johnny’s students say, “It’s so fun…nothing should be changed.” – Derek

Last but not least, the Amazing Slow Downer can slow down even the fastest rock number until the student can hear every note and technique used to play it.  Johnny uses this program to help his students advance their skills quickly and master “pro” techniques by breaking down songs into their core elements.

In the face of all the technology that’s available to music students these days, it’s worth mentioning that even with the best computer programs, finding an excellent teacher is a critical part of reaching your highest potential, because, as Johnny said, “It’s one-on-one.  A computer can’t help you over the rough patches like a teacher can.”

Tips for Learning to Read Music

When asked, “What helped you learn faster than traditional lessons?”  Johnny’s points of advice were:

• Choose an instrument you connect with; one you really like to play, then practice all the time.
• Choose songs you already like and learn to play them.
• Play with a band or other musicians.
• Start recording your own songs—you will understand music theory at a whole new level.
• Don’t fret over mistakes, learn from them.

Use the computer programs—they help you learn faster and easier, and you will have tangible recordings of your work that you can take home. Virtual recitals are wonderful ways to hear how you really sound.

As we ended the interview, Johnny  commented that, unfortunately, sometimes people who read music well seem condescending to those who gained their musical skills through listening, watching and doing.  Developing our musical skills to the point where we can share them is what brings real joy, and the road we take to get there will be a personal choice for each of us. There are many ways to “skin the musical cat” and we’re lucky to have so many options available to us!

If you would like to know more about Johnny or get in touch with him, you can find him at Howling Cat Studios, (702) 606-0757 and at http://www.johnnynavarro.com/.

Those few notes evoked an outpouring of deep hidden emotion. Oh, to be able to play again! To have my children play! I determined to relearn the piano and teach my children, so that I would no longer lament with the muse Tagore over spending “many days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.”

Teaching Myself to Read Music – Again

Whether you are learning to read music for the first time or relearning your old skills, two major avenues exist: classical methods or electronic methods. The expensive traditional method of buying a piano and hiring a teacher was out of my budget, so I bought an inexpensive keyboard to start. I practiced daily with my old books until my skills returned. As this was BC—before computers – I hired a teacher for my children and our lives beat with the repetitive rhythm of lessons and practice.

Teaching Others to Learn to Read Music

Our skills continued to improve and I finally realized my dream of owning a piano. I began teaching piano lessons to children and adults using flashcards and the Bastien piano & theory books, whose colorful graphics and simple approach to reading music are easily grasped. However, I found their practice songs to be rather dull so the Faber Piano Adventures series eventually became my favorite piano books as they cover everything well–from technique & artistry, to music theory, chords, notation and performance. Most notably, their lesson books are filled with creative songs from all genres from the lowest to highest levels and you are encouraged to improvise and compose your own music.

Technological Advancements in Learning to Read Music

With the advent of computers, the world of educational music software provides another exciting method for aspiring musicians, delivering music education virtually. Very inexpensive when compared with the traditional method, most music software is engaging and allows you to control the pace and frequency of your lessons. Some are even disguised as video games and are an especially fun way to build musical skills and knowledge. My biggest challenge with music education software is that I need to be truly self-motivated, since I have no one to account to except myself

Overall I find that computer programs can be very useful tools for self instruction, especially when you’re just beginning. Then once you achieve some proficiency, I recommend working with a real instrument and teacher. The one-on-one tutoring is invaluable to helping you reach your full potential.

Music Education Software

Electronics are a great benefit to adults or parents who desire fast results in learning to read music without a large up-front investment, or as a complement to a regular teacher. All of the following music software programs are highly rated and have everything you need. Kids who love computers will enjoy these learning to read music programs, too:

Music Ace Deluxe

This software covers everything you need to know to get started understanding and appreciating music. The multimedia approach taken by Music Ace Deluxe keeps things interesting as you learn and grow musically. Want to learn more? Read our full review of Music Ace Deluxe.

eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method Deluxe

This computer program works with both electronic keyboards and acoustic pianos to give you instant feedback as you play correct notes in a melody. There’s more than 300 lessons and 70 instruction videos to help you progress quickly and easily. Read reviews on Amazon.com.

Learn and Master Piano

Will Barrow’s program walks you through learning the piano by starting with the fundamental and progressing to advanced skills  in the course of 10 instructional DVDs. Watch them on your computer or in the comfort of your living room. Read reviews on Amazon.com.

Mr. Althouse begins his book with the premise that most students are ill prepared for their first encounter with printed music. I agree: those pages of notes can seem quite daunting at first glance! He explains that music is a language and just as with any language you are trying to learn, you start with the basics. Once you know the symbols that make up the language, you can comfortably expand your knowledge.

Ready to Read Music is compiled of four units of study, made up of eight lessons each. Most of the lessons are one page in length, followed by a review at the end of each lesson. It was great using a book because I made copies of each lesson and put them in notebooks for the children. This helps keep track of where each child is in their lessons and also keeps my copy of the book clean for any future education! I even went a step farther and made copies of the music symbols to put up on the bulletin board in our playroom. You could even make flashcards to get in some extra lessons on the go.

We began with the first unit of study, an introduction to the musical staff and notes. I like how each page is laid out in a simple manner with clear black and white graphics that make it easy to focus on the lesson. At the end of each lesson is a chance to reinforce what you’ve learned with a question or two. I use the review page at the end of the unit as a quick assessment tool that shows me which concepts we need to spend more time on. The remaining units cover additional musical concepts with increasing difficulty, such as rhythm, pitch, and a final chapter presenting more musical symbols. Mr. Althouse has a great way of relating every day things to reading music. For example, my children quickly internalized the idea that, just like each pulse of your heart, music has a steady pulse and each pulse of music is a beat.

By the end of Ready to Read Music, both of my children can read notes, follow rhythms and are familiar with most of the musical symbols.They feel more confident about learning guitar and piano now and are excited to get started with lessons. As they advance in playing their instruments, I know they will continue to come up against new and complicated musical concepts. Ready to Read Music will be right here, as a guide to reinforce their music education for many years to come.

Would you like to try it for yourself? You can get your own copy here: Ready to Read Music

With the Music Ace Deluxe program, we found everything our family needed to begin a study of music theory. I wanted a system that would work for the entire family, both adults and children because I was interested in learning too. Music Ace Deluxe provides an engaging and informative product that is great for our different learning styles and levels of knowledge. The software is easy to get started with by installing the program  and ready to go within minutes. A word of caution:  this software was designed to run on an older operating system, so with newer generation systems, the graphics do not fill up the entire screen.

The program is a quality, in depth system that assumes the user knows very little, if anything,  about music. Rather than talk down to you or teach above your level of understanding, Music Ace Deluxe hits just the right note. Through a series of 36 lessons, the software takes you from the beginning, teaching you the basics of music then on to theory, pitch, rhythm and note reading.  Designed by musical education professionals, each lesson builds on previous knowledge so the lessons remain challenging all along the way.  As several members of my family were involved in their own self-paced lessons at one time, I found it invaluable that the program will track the progress of up to 10 users simultaneously.

Maestro Max is the animated character who introduces each lesson and guides the user along the way. My children really enjoy the cartoon notes and lighthearted graphics. I find these add a kid-friendly dimension, without taking away from the significance of the lessons. The lessons are introduced by Max and he outlines what you can expect from each lesson. The games at end of each stage can be very challenging!  Once you have mastered a lesson, you then advance on to the next one.  One of the best features is the attached Doodle pad. My children especially enjoy experimenting with composing and making up their own music.

Whether you are interested in expanding your core knowledge of music theory, or are just beginning lessons with an instructor, Music Ace Deluxe is a strong partner to have on your journey.  It is great for students of any instrument, as every budding musician needs a solid working knowledge of the music basics. The easy to use, self paced lessons have proven to be beneficial for all us. I imagine this program will provide us with another dimension to our music education for years to come.

Would you like to try it for yourself? You can get your own copy here: Music Ace Deluxe.

What do you do when your child comes to you, expressing an interest in learning to read music? If you’re like me, you panic a little on the inside, as this is not a subject you know a great deal about. But I have good news: there are a lot of good products out there to help, no matter what your skill level.

When I began helping my son learn to read music, I looked for products that we could use while we’re on the go. With a hectic schedule that has all of us spending more time in the car than we’d like, I wanted to take advantage of any down time to practice reading music. Another requirement I had was to find products that are compact and easy to handle. I wanted my son to be able to practice on his own (or with a friend), so child friendly materials and simple directions were the only way to go.  I have compiled a list of our favorite products and tools that we found to be the most helpful. These time-tested, mother-approved products will get your budding musician off to a great start!

Music Flash Cards

One of my favorite products, which received high marks for being easy to handle and use on the go, is flashcards. I bought the Hal Leonard Music Flash Cards (Set A) and was very impressed. From the packaging, which is minimal and eco-friendly, to the color-coded cards, this product has been a big hit. This set includes 120 cards, which covers all of the basic music symbols, notes and rhythm patterns. I especially like how the “Notes and Reading Patterns” cards illustrate the location of the note on an actual keyboard. The cards are clear, easy to understand and my son can hold them in his hands without a problem.

When we were ready to tackle the next stage of reading music, I bought the companion flash card set, Hal Leonard Music Flash Cards (Set B). These cards continue where the other set leave off, reviewing musical terms, scales, key signatures and chord progressions. Because my son was already familiar with the color-coded system, he grasped most of the simple concepts. One of the benefits of owning these cards is that as your child’s knowledge expands, the cards will continue to provide an excellent resource for reviewing material and learning new concepts. It is almost as if the collection of flashcards grows along with your child!

Music Theory Laminated Mat

The Music Theory Laminated Mat is a double-sided mat that is loaded with music theory skills and concepts. This is an excellent resource for quick references. My son really likes how the music notes are lined up with their corresponding keys on the keyboard. I originally bought two mats so that I could hang them up near my son’s desk, but instead, I found keeping one mat at home and one mat in the car provides a handy way to study.

Music Instruction Storybook

If you are looking for a good book that presents a fun way to learn to read sheet music, you must check out Lady Treble and the Seven Notes, by Eliyana Biklou. This whimsical book is full of rhythmic prose and colorful illustrations that show each musical note as a loveable character. As the children get caught up in the story, they also learn the locations of the seven notes on the musical staff,  what makes an octave, and how to recognize a treble clef. My son likes reading this book for the cartoon graphics and I like it because it is educational and entertaining, a bonus for both of us.

Musical Games and Activities

Another book that has become a treasure in our home library is 101 Games for Children: Fun and Learning with Rhythm and Song, by Storms & Hurd. This compilation of musical games and activities is categorized by age appropriateness and how long the each game or activity takes to play. This makes it especially easy to use anytime we have some downtime while waiting in the car. The fun exercises in this book have been a wonderful way to stimulate my son’s thinking about music and have given me creative ideas on how we can incorporate music into our every day life.

If your child comes to you and wants to learn to read music, you won’t have to panic like I did. Any one of these games, books or flashcards will help you master the art and science of reading music. It will open up a whole new world for you and your children to enjoy together for a lifetime.

I turned to a friend who was a music teacher and she recommended I look into some of the computer software options available. My search led me to purchase the software program Practica Musica. I read that it offered an in depth music theory training program, originally developed for the Mac, and now available cross-platform to include PC users.

The study of music theory is fundamental to understanding the music that you create and play. When you consider that music is a language, you realize that music theory skills provide the foundation for fluency. As my child wanted to learn to read music in particular, I knew honing these skills with the aid of a music theory software program would not only help her become a better student, it would instill in her a lifelong appreciation and discerning ear for music.

In my experience, the Practica Musica series is ideal for students of any age and provides a wide range of activities, from basic to complex. Each activity includes four different skill levels and those levels can be modified in countless ways. Many PC users may find the programming unfamiliar, as was the case with me. It took some practice to figure out the different options and icons. However, getting started with the basics was fairly straightforward and I found I could start on the fundamental exercises within a few moments of installing the program. While the learning curve was a little steep, once I got the hang of it, the system was easy to navigate. In no time, my daughter was moving throughout the program with ease.

A general overview of the activities and interactive sessions the program covers include:

• Pitch and Rhythm matching, reading and dictation
• Real time rhythm tapping
• Interval and chord playing
• Chord progression writing, reading and dictation

For each activity, a piano or fret board display is utilized for entering answers and checking your work for comparison to the original. The program is MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) compatible but does not require you to physically connect an electronic musical instrument. Most of the activities in Practica Musica do not need a MIDI keyboard. We either use the mouse to click on the computer screen’s piano keyboard or, to my daughter’s delight; she found she could use the letter keys on the computer as a little piano!

For each exercise, my child was awarded points for correct answers and deducted points for incorrect answers. The exercises became more difficult as my daughter’s level of understanding increased and we both enjoyed this progressive instruction. The ability to hear the right answers compared to the wrong answers is a great feature that really helps with ear training. The software program concentrates on letting you set up exercises to implement the theory you study in the book. Almost every example found in the text can also be found as a file in the software, allowing you to listen and experiment with the examples. This interactive component of the program really sets it apart and allows a greater degree of stylized learning.

Practica Musica software includes numerous exercises and examples. In addition, you also have the ability to create your own activities from scratch or modify the existing activities to fit your needs. This is a feature my daughter really responded to. As she became more comfortable with expanding her music theory skills, she loved the freedom of challenging herself. The options were only limited by her imagination, as virtually any element of an exercise could be customized. I imagine in the hands of a music teacher, the ability to choose your own personal layout of the staff or fine tune the instructions for your students would be a real plus. I would recommend, until you have had ample experience creating your own activities, it is easier to modify the existing options rather than start from scratch.

A textbook companion is included in the Practica Musica program. Written for the beginner in mind, this book covers just about everything you could want to know about music theory. Almost every example in the textbook is found as a file in the software, allowing us to listen to and experiment with the examples. In addition to providing examples in text, the workbook provides extra staff paper, pullout worksheets and exercises. This is a wonderful stand-alone resource, which gave both my daughter and me the ability to clarify any questions we had about the software aspect of the program. For example, in the software program, the menu to choose from is a drop down list of activities with no real guidelines on where to begin. The textbook provided an efficient guideline that we could follow along with.

Once programming activities becomes intuitive, you will find the possibilities this software offers are limitless. Which is a good thing for us, because my younger son just announced that it is now his turn to learn to read music! Having the Practica Musica series has been an excellent investment in a lifelong study of music theory, for myself as well as my children. As someone who was looking to create a working knowledge of music theory that I could share along with my children, I have found this program and workbook to be an essential tool in our family library.

Would you like to try it for yourself? You can get your own copy here: Ars Nova Practica Musica 5

If you’re just starting out trying to learn to read music, then there are some excellent software programs you can buy that will give you a thorough education in the building blocks of music.

The five software programs on the left sidebar tend to teach much more than just how to read standard notation–they include music theory, ear training and lots and lots of examples and exercises.