Top Ten Music Reading Tips for Becoming a Better Musician
Reading music is an essential skill for any musician, whether you’re playing the trumpet, piano, violin, or any other instrument. Strong music reading skills allow you to learn pieces faster, perform with greater accuracy, and express yourself musically. While many musicians focus on playing the correct notes, true mastery comes from understanding the deeper elements of a piece—its style, phrasing, articulation, dynamics, and structure.
By taking the time to “pre-study” a piece before playing it, you can dramatically improve your musical awareness and sensitivity. Below are ten essential tips for reading music effectively and transforming notes into real music.
1. What Type of Music Is This Piece?
Before you start playing, ask yourself: What style is this piece? Is it rock, pop, jazz, swing, classical, or gospel? Each genre has unique characteristics that influence articulation, rhythm, and phrasing.
Why This Matters:
• Different styles require different articulation and interpretation.
• Understanding the genre helps you anticipate the feel and tempo of the piece.
• It gives you a sense of how the music should “speak” to the audience.
How to Apply This Tip:
• If it’s jazz, look for swing rhythms and a relaxed articulation style.
• If it’s classical, focus on precise articulation and dynamic contrast.
• If it’s gospel, expect expressive phrasing and syncopated rhythms.
By identifying the style of the piece before you play, you set yourself up for a more informed and musical performance.
2. Look Through to Find ALL or DIFFERENT Time Signatures
The time signature dictates how you count and feel the rhythm of a piece. Some pieces stay in one time signature, while others change throughout.
Why This Matters:
• A sudden time signature change can throw you off if you’re not prepared.
• Different time signatures require different rhythmic groupings and counting methods.
• Knowing the time signature helps you internalize the beat and pulse of the piece.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Scan the entire piece for changes in time signature before you start playing.
• If the piece is in 4/4, feel the natural strong and weak beats (1-strong, 2-weak, 3-medium, 4-weak).
• If the piece has 6/8 or 3/4, think in terms of triplets or “one-two-three, one-two-three.”
• If the time signature changes, practice transitioning smoothly between them.
By recognizing time signature changes ahead of time, you prevent mistakes and improve rhythmic accuracy.
3. Imagine the Tempo in Your Mind – Does It Change?
Tempo dictates the speed of a piece and how it flows. Many pieces stay at a consistent tempo, but others include tempo changes like ritardando (slowing down) or accelerando (speeding up).
Why This Matters:
• Thinking about tempo before playing prevents rushing or dragging.
• Being aware of tempo changes helps create expressive, dynamic performances.
• Knowing the pulse allows you to stay in sync with an accompanist or ensemble.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Before playing, mentally “hear” the piece at its proper tempo.
• Identify any tempo markings (Allegro, Andante, Presto) and adjust accordingly.
• If the piece includes ritardando or accelerando, plan for those changes.
• Use a metronome in practice but be flexible when performing to allow for musical expression.
Imagining the tempo in advance helps you play with confidence and consistency.
4. Bring Out the Changes in Dynamics (Crescendo, Decrescendo, Sforzando)
Dynamics add emotion to music. Playing with crescendo (gradually getting louder) and decrescendo (gradually getting softer) enhances musical storytelling.
Why This Matters:
• Dynamics make music expressive and engaging.
• Sudden or gradual changes in volume create contrast and excitement.
• Ignoring dynamics results in flat, lifeless playing.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Mark crescendos and decrescendos in your music and exaggerate them.
• Understand sforzando (sudden strong accents) and execute them with precision.
• Listen to recordings of professionals playing the piece and notice how they shape dynamics.
Bringing out dynamics transforms basic notes into expressive, moving music.
5. Find and Play the Changes in Articulation (Legato, Staccato, Slurs)
Articulation determines how notes are connected or separated. A well-articulated piece sounds polished and stylistically correct.
Why This Matters:
• Proper articulation enhances musical clarity and accuracy.
• Each articulation style (legato, staccato, slurs) affects the feel of the piece.
• Ignoring articulation makes music sound mechanical or unnatural.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Legato: Smooth and connected notes—think of singing through your instrument.
• Staccato: Short, detached notes—use a quick attack and release.
• Slurs: Notes connected without tonguing—focus on breath control and smooth finger transitions.
By focusing on articulation, you make your playing more expressive and stylistically appropriate.
6. Can You See and Bring Out the Musical Phrases?
Music is written in phrases, much like sentences in language. Identifying phrases helps shape musical expression.
Why This Matters:
• Phrasing makes music sound natural and lyrical.
• Helps avoid robotic, disconnected playing.
• Enhances interpretation and emotional impact.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Look for slurs, breath marks, or natural stopping points to determine phrases.
• Play each phrase as a complete musical thought.
• Avoid breaking phrases unnecessarily—connect them smoothly.
Thinking in phrases rather than just notes makes your playing more musical.
7. Look for Unusual Rhythms and Figure Them Out BEFORE You Play!
Rhythmic accuracy is key to a great performance. Dotted rhythms, syncopations, and tuplets often cause trouble.
Why This Matters:
• Ensures rhythmic precision.
• Prevents hesitation and misinterpretation.
• Helps develop a strong internal sense of timing.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Identify tricky rhythms and clap or count them out before playing.
• If you see dotted eighth-sixteenth patterns, subdivide into four sixteenths to ensure accuracy.
• Practice challenging rhythms slowly before playing them at full speed.
By working through complex rhythms in advance, you set yourself up for success.
8. Look for the Highest and Lowest Notes and See How They Relate to the Phrase
Understanding a piece’s range helps with breath control, embouchure adjustments, and phrasing.
Why This Matters:
• Prevents sudden surprises in range.
• Helps plan smooth transitions between registers.
• Avoids unnecessary strain on high or low notes.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Identify the highest and lowest notes in the piece before playing.
• Plan breath support and embouchure adjustments accordingly.
• Keep tone quality consistent across all registers.
This awareness ensures smoother, more controlled performances.
9. Find and REMEMBER Unusual Accidentals or Key Changes
Accidentals and key changes often trip up players. Noticing them ahead of time improves accuracy.
Why This Matters:
• Prevents mistakes caused by missed accidentals.
• Helps adapt to modulations in key signature.
• Strengthens overall music reading skills.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Scan for sharps, flats, or naturals that differ from the key signature.
• Highlight key changes in your music.
• Mentally prepare for shifts in tonality.
By actively noting accidentals and key changes, you avoid playing wrong notes.
10. Don’t Play Notes, BRING OUT THE MUSIC
Playing music is about storytelling, not just following directions.
Why This Matters:
• Music is meant to be expressive, not robotic.
• Interpretation separates good players from great ones.
• Engaging performances captivate audiences.
How to Apply This Tip:
• Focus on phrasing, dynamics, articulation, and expression.
• Imagine what the piece is trying to “say.”
• Make every note meaningful.
By moving beyond just “playing notes,” you transform into a true musician. 🎶
