Reading Simple Melodies

Now that you know the note names, let us practice reading them in order, like reading words in a sentence!

When you read a melody on the staff, you read from left to right, just like reading a book. Each note you encounter, you name it using FACE (for spaces) or Every Good Boy Does Fine (for lines).

Let us read a simple melody: imagine notes placed at E (bottom line), F (first space), G (second line), A (second space). Reading left to right: E, F, G, A. The melody is stepping UP because each note is higher than the one before.

Now imagine: A (second space), G (second line), F (first space), E (bottom line). Reading left to right: A, G, F, E. This melody steps DOWN.

And if you see: E, E, E, E — four notes all on the bottom line — the melody stays the SAME.

With practice, you will be able to read notes as quickly as you read words!