How to Read Music: Fundamentals of Music Notation Made Easy [Paperback]

Roger Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1995

A basic primer for anyone without musical training who wishes to learn to read musical scores when singing or taking up an instrument. The book explains how notes are named and written; how to read melody, interpret time signatures, keys, sharps, flats, and naturals; how to read tempo; and how to play chords.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A basic primer for anyone without musical training who wishes to learn to read musical scores when singing or taking up an instrument. The book explains how notes are named and written; how to read melody, interpret time signatures, keys, sharps, flats, and naturals; how to read tempo; and how to play chords.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (April 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517884380
• ISBN-13: 978-0517884386
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger Evans has helped nearly half a million readers learn to play an instrument on their own. His other books include How to Play Piano and How to Play Keyboards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars does what the title says, August 24, 2005

By 

ZP (Fredericksburg, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Read Music: Fundamentals of Music Notation Made Easy (Paperback)

In the first part, the book covers the basic notation in detail, step by step. Author asks you to do a review and make sure you know all the previous material before attempting musical sight reading exercises. The second part of the book covers the more complex notation found in the classical pieces. It is more fast paced because the author assumes that a reader has accumulated the knowledge from the first part. At the end, there are: a directory of musical signs, a directory of all notes on the piano and guitar, and a short musical dictionary. Very handy reference.

Are there better books on the topic? I do not know. I'm not an expert. In my opinion the book does what it advertises. You'll certainly learn how to read the music. Price is really acceptable. Check out the reviews for other books of Roger Evans. Rather impressive. Then judge for yourself.
I'll give it five stars.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite helpful, March 1, 2006

By 

M. D. Minuth "Pearlhunter" (Broadway, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Read Music: Fundamentals of Music Notation Made Easy (Paperback)

I was able to see this book in person before purchasing it online. It is easy to read and understand, especially when you wonder if you're too old to learn to read music. I haven't applied the techniques yet, but I understand what I'm reading. I looked through several other books and they were more confusing - keeping in mind that I have never read music.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful in music education classes, June 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Read Music: Fundamentals of Music Notation Made Easy (Paperback)

One definition of "stave" is "a musical staff" (American Heritage Dictionary). Beware of know-it-all critics who happily trash a book based on their limited knowledge of English but who are too lazy to actually pick up a dictionary. What else did they get wrong?

The book fills a niche and I found it quite useful.