Reading:
Level ON E Material
by
Jim Stinnett
There is always a need for simple yet good reading material. Reading:
Level ONE material will help fill that need.
I have found that no matter how well you read music, practicing level one
reading is a valuable exercise. It is here, when th"e music is easier to read,
that we can focus on musical qualities like dynamics, phrasing, sound
production, and intonation. Reading music written at this level will also allow
you to pay more attention to your physical technique. Left-hand posture,
shifts, and fingerings, can all be practiced and more easily assessed when
reading simple songs.
I have chosen to not include text instruction along with the examples in
this book. If you need specific instruction on fingering, shifts, notation, etc,
please see the book Integrated Reading Technique. This book is offers a
comprehensive method for learning to read music.
Just like all good athletes, good readers continually work on the fundamentals
of their craft. Let's READ!
Introduction .. 3
Basic Information 6
Dynamics / Articulations 7
Eighth Notes 14
Level Best - Duet 14
Key Signature....... 16
Dotted-Quarter, Eighth 22
Touch My Heart - Duet 24
On We Go - Duet 32
Jazz Style . 40
Keep It Low - Duet 42
Deep Red - Duet 46
Metronome Marking Fingering Barline Measure
~~2
d= 60 ~~
Bass Clef
-------
KeySignature; \ Time Signature
Notes Rests
Whole
Half
I I
Quarter
I I I I
Eighth
Sixteenth
>p = pianiSSimo very soft
> = plano soft
np = mezzo plano medium soft
nf = mezzo forte medium loud
= forte loud
f = fortissimo very loud
-============
f = \
rescendo /
_ decrescendo
taccato I Legato Accent Marcoto Slur
I I ~
>- 1\
l l l l
r r ~ r ~
cato = short, half the value of note
ItO/ Tennuto = full length, smooth
mt = strong attack
;ato = strong attack, full length, obvious cut off (Lester Young quarter-note)
/ Hammer-on = attack first note but not the second
Ve are all at different levels of ability in our reading of music. For some of us, this book \
hallenging practice. For others, this material may seem far beneath you. For all of us, it is
Iractice. Let's identify a few procedures to use and a few rules to follow that will increase the t
x all of us when practicing reading "Level ONE MateriaL"
\11readers:
· Play all music in this book using the left hand posture of one finger per fret.
:. Always use the metronome. The metronome markings are a guide. Move the tempo up or de
t your needs.
:. Do not shift unless necessary.
:or basic to intermediate level readers:
· Start at the beginning. The earlier part of the book is gradually leveled. The latter half of the b
lot designed to become more difficult.
:. Slow the metronome down if needed to allow NO practicing mistakes. Then slowly speed I
~mpo to the suggested marking.
I. Pay close attention to the length of your notes. Do not cut off notes before moving to the nexi
~.When playing rests, be sure to cut off the preceding note at the correct point in time.
i. Alternate fingers in the right hand. No raking.
;. Do not try to do too much in one sitting. A little every day is the key to success.
'. Practice with a friend. It is easy to hear mistakes.
=or intermediate to advanced level readers:
· Jump in anywhere in the book. It is generally not designed to become more difficult.
~.Use the metronome markings only as starting points. Kick it up!
L Add your own dynamics.
f. Add your own articulations and notate them in the music.
i. Practice playing multiple examples in sequence, non-stop between each example.
l. Play all examples with no open strings, if possible.
'. Transpose each example up by one-half step.
l. Play each example up one octave.
