STME58
1378 posts
Jul 13, 2015
11:05 AM
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This song earned a gold record in the late 70's. You may find it a bit corny but it is quite an ear-worm and contains mostly arpeggios, which makes it a great exercise for learning "where the notes live", on your instrument. It can be played on a diatonic with no bends which makes it good for a beginner. It is complex enough you could work on it for years, and still have more left to improve.
Music Box Dancer
I have linked you to the sheet music but if you don't read, try it anyway. Play just the top staff, don't worry about the bottom one. Figure out where the C's are and work from there, the second space from the top is C, 4 blow. You might find it easier than you think, especially if you are already familiar with the tune.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jul 13, 2015 11:06 AM
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Pistolcat
806 posts
Jul 14, 2015
11:00 PM
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Thanks! Great stuff! All intermediates should check this out. Learning to read sheet is easy. You can find harder ciphers on cereal boxes...
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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JustFuya
797 posts
Jul 15, 2015
2:07 AM
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One man's corn is another man's gold. Thank you in more ways than one.
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Bilzharp
94 posts
Jul 15, 2015
7:58 AM
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Hey, thanks. When I saw the song title I did roll my eyes but it was more fun than I expected. Other than occasionally singing from a hymnal, I don't do much reading so I decided to take the challenge. Not all the way through it yet but I'll come back to it. 1st position on a Richter harp does require a hole 3 bend to get the A when it appears.
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STME58
1379 posts
Jul 15, 2015
8:11 AM
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Pistolcat, I like your cereal box reference. Here is a secret decoder ring;
C Harp Secret decoder ring
Bilzharp, thanks for the correction.I missed those A's after both second endings. I also realize that repeats and second endings, the so called "road signs" of sheet music might be a bit challenging for someone with little exposure to sheet music.
Here is a piece with less of that that still plays well in first and is probably familiar to many. Simple Gifts It is also in C with no accidentals and uses the same "secret decoder ring" I provided.
Have you ever watched a child learning to read pick up the book and recite the familiar passage over and over from memory again while looking at the words, so proud of the fact that are "reading"? I think the same method can be used to learn to read music. Keep looking at the notes and following along, long after you have memorized the tune and you will begin to associate the notes on the page with the notes on your instrument until you can read sheet music as easily as you read text. Keep in mind that in both music and the written word, there are those who achieve greatness without ever learning to read, but that doesn't mean reading is not an important skill.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jul 15, 2015 8:34 AM
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