Some thoughts on learning to read music on guitar

Hi everybody – I’ve compiled a few ideas about learning to read music on the guitar.  I hope it helps – feel free to ask any questions!

1) Keep your eyes on the page, NOT the guitar!
     -  I know, easier said than done, it’s true.  However, like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get.
Practice playing notes with your eyes closed.  Say to yourself, “I’m going to play a D note on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string”, and close your eyes and give it a try.  By learning how to keep your eyes on the little black dots on the page, your music will flow better, and of course SOUND much better.

2) Say the names of the notes out loud as you play.  This will reinforce your knowledge of the notes, and help keep you focussed on the page.

3) Use software drills to help identify the notes.  Try http://www.musictheory.net/trainers/html/id82_en.html
The main website here is very helpful with music theory related matters as well.  http://www.musictheory.net/trainers/html/id82_en.html

4) Use your knowledge of 1/2 steps and whole steps to help with learning notes. 

Of all the natural notes – C D E F G A B C, there are only 2 pairs of 1/2 steps. 
Do you know what they are? E to F, and B to C. 
If the notes that you’re looking at are not E to F, or B to C, how far apart are they? Yep, a whole step.

So, for example, you’re reading an A in the 2nd space on the staff, but you’ve forgotten where it is on the guitar.
What do you do..? 

Well, if you know your open strings (6E 5A 4D 3G 2B 1E), you’ll know that the 3rd string is a G. 
How far away is the A?  Well, it’s neither E/F or B/C, so it has to be a whole step, which is 2 frets. (Remember – “E/F and B/C are 1/2 steps, everything else is a whole step) So, you’re A is on the 2nd fret.  That’s a lot of words, but it’s happens much quicker in real time.

One way to prepare for this is by playing notes of the C scale (C D E F G A B) up and down each string.
If you play the C Scale up and down 1 string a day, that will help prepare you for using this knowledge while reading music – and many other music activities!  ***Just remember: E/F and B/C are 1/2 steps, everything else is a whole step.***  AND, 1/2 step = 1 fret, Whole step = 2 frets.

Good luck!