In printed music there are several signs you must carefully observe before you begin to play.? Train yourself to watch for them before attempting any piece.? If you do not you will find yourself making careless and unnecessary mistakes.?
Some of the things which you have already learned and which you must always watch out for are:?
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Treble and Bass Clef.
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Time Signature.
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Tied Notes.
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Note Values.
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Dotted Notes.
??????????????????????????????????????????????? Sharps and Flats.?
You have learned quite a bit already haven't you? and there is much more to come.?
By now you may have already tried playing other pieces from printed music, if you haven't you should certainly have a go.? Many popular pieces are written in a style suitable for you to try.? Keep away from the really complex and stick with music written in the key of C (no sharps or flats) in three four or four four time.? Your music shop will be able to advise you on what to try.? Now you know that all you have to do is concentrate on the treble ( melody ) line and look for the chord symbol which all music will indicate.?
In every piece of music many bars in one section are exactly the same in another section.? This means that once you learn one part you have automatically learned other parts.? Learning any new piece need not take as long as many people imagine and with the skills you have learned you will be able to amaze those people who still don't realize just how easy music really is.?
Assuming you have now purchased some 'real' music for yourself, read it through carefully remembering your special musical observations then try it very slowly.? If you have purchased music which is suitably at your 'level' then any problems should be answered by previous instruction.?
pencil in any note names that do not readily come to you, making sure you name them correctly according to the CLEF and STAVE position.?
When playing, watch that you do not speed up your counts as you go from bar to bar.? You should finish the piece at the same tempo as you started it.? As you get to know the piece you will be able to play it faster.? If you have difficulty with certain bars, practice them separately 5 or 6 times and you will soon have them mastered.?
If you get stuck and can't get it right after several attempts, leave it alone for a while.? Make a note of the problem and try again a day or so later.? Try a bit of mental practice in the meantime.? 90% of the time this break will clear the problem up and you will wonder why you ever had the problem in the first place.?
Don't be put of by your mistakes.? All players make mistakes.? Realize mistakes will be made and use your failures to springboard you to greater success.? A mistake is simply part of the learning process and many listeners don't pick up the odd mistake any way.?
