For beginners just starting with piano lessons, and even some pianists who’ve played by ear for years, learning to read sheet music can feel like a major challenge. Like any second language, it may seem full of unfamiliar vocabulary and rules. With that in mind, here are three fun, easy tips that can help you learn to decode strings of notes and symbols.

How to Begin Reading Sheet Music

1. Start With Something Familiar

Think of a simple song you know by heart. Preferably, choose one with a slow tempo. Whether it’s “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Smoke on the Water,” find the piano sheet music for the song. You can often download it online at no cost. Then play an audio recording of the tune and follow along. You’ll be amazed how quickly you can begin to associate the notes on the page with the notes you’re hearing.

2. Make a Cheat Sheet

You may have heard of several mnemonic devices to help students name notes. For example, the first letters of “Every Good Boy Does Fine” or “Every Girl Bakes Delicious Fudge” correspond to the notes on the lines of the treble clef, while “FACE” describes the names of the spaces. Spend some time translating the notes on your sheet music into letters before your piano lesson if it helps you. Then, using washable ink, label your fingers with the names of the notes they’re each responsible for playing on the keyboard. Match finger to note, and you’re off.

3. Practice

Once you’ve related a piece of sheet music to how to play it, keep on practicing. Focus your personal piano lessons on a short piece, maybe even just a single musical phrase. Soon, muscle memory will kick in. You’ll develop an almost magical connection between the notes on the page and the action of your fingers. 

It’s never too early—or too late—to discover a love of music. Iryna Dunaeva of the European Piano School has been teaching piano lessons at all levels in Anchorage, AK, for almost 40 years. She knows how to help students make the connection between notes on a page and the music spilling out of their fingertips. To learn more about her experience as a teacher, visit her website. Call her directly at 907-360-2915 with questions.