(Recorded Course) How to Read Music, Part Two: Mastering Melody and Harmony (MUS-2)with Erin M. Brown

Continue to learn how to read music with this fun, interactive course -- to understand notes and pitches on the musical page, master the vocabulary of musical terms, and be able to read and sing simple to complex tunes. Whether you’re brand new to music or it’s your first year of taking voice or instrumental lessons, this course helps you to master reading musical notes, songs, and more.

Ready to begin?

Here's how to get the most out of How to Read Music, Part Two: Mastering Melody and Harmony (MUS-2) with Erin M. Brown:

  • Before the first class meeting, be sure to have a notebook and recorder. See the course materials below...

  • For each session, have notebook ready for class and take notes.

  • Beginning at the top of each Class section, complete the assignments, quizzes, and all activities assigned for the week in order..

  • Once the course is completed, get your Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Simply print and fill in the Certificate for your records.


Special Notes: This is Part Two of a 2-part course. 
Total Classes: 10
Duration: 50-60 minutes each recorded session
Prerequisite: None, though MUS-1, Mastering Rhythm, is recommended
Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 12th grade
Suggested Credit:  One full semester Music, with the completion of all readings and resources.

Instructor: Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author EB Conroy)
Instructor email: ebconroy@homeschoolconnections.com

Course Description: Once you’ve mastered rhythms in Part 1, it’s time to read notes! This is a practical how-to course for beginners where you learn to read musical notes and chords each week -- and continue to gain a solid understanding of how reading music works. Learn the vocabulary of pitch, tone, sound, musical expression, and more. Whether you’ve had absolutely no musical training at all -- or you’re just starting out taking lessons and want to gain more understanding and practice as it relates to reading music -- this course is for you. Add this course to Part 1, How to Read Music Part 1: Mastering Rhythm, to complete a full year of music.

Professor Brown, also known for her books, curriculum writing, and work in rehabilitation, holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Education and was a professional studio musician, music transcriber, performer, choral conductor, and private music instructor across more than 30 years.

Course Outline:

  • Class 1: The Staff, Treble and Bass Clefs, and Ledger Lines; review rhythms (whole, half, dotted half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth)

  • Class 2: Notes, Pitch, the Scale, and Tuning; review rests (whole, half, dotted half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth)

  • Class 3: Intervals (with weekly ear training continuing through the end of the course); introducing staccato and legato

  • Class 4: Major and Minor Scales (with scales continued through the end of the course); introducing slurs

  • Class 5: What is a Melody? (with melodies continued through the end of the course); introducing a "musical phrase"

  • Class 6: What is a Chord? (with chords continued through the end of the course); introducing "open" and "close" chordal structures; What is an arpeggio?

  • Class 7: Major and Minor Melodies and Chords; introducing "dissonance" and "resolution"

  • Class 8: Solo Instruments, Timbre, and Range

  • Class 9: Reading Piano Music, Orchestral Scores, and Ensemble Music

  • Class 10: Famous Melodies and Music; Special Notes on Reading Music

Course Materials: All learning materials are provided FREE by the instructor, and optional resources list will be provided for students and families. Students must buy a soprano recorder. Prices range from $7 to $25.
See recorders here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=recorder+instrument&crid=2LW2K61BUS87L&sprefix=recorder%2Caps%2C197&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_2_8

Homework: Students can expect two to four hours of homework a week with activities on music vocabulary, reading notes, practicing for in-class auditory-pitch activities, practicing playing simple melodies on the recorder, and completing quizzes that are automatically graded by the computer with immediate feedback.