Best sheet music for a beginner.

[No name]

Does anybody have any recommendations on sheet music that could be used by someone who is just learning to read music decently? I'm looking for something that has a bit of complexity, but not too complex that i'll drown in all the things going on. I suppose this could be a good thread for those, like me, who are starting to grasp learning theory and being able to just write and read music a little. So?

[tee boy]

http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net/

TB

[herodotus]

One easy way to start would be to play back midi files of songs you are familiar with (or any music, for that matter) using a notation editor. If you don't have one, the noteworthy player works fine.

There will be many subtleties missing, mind, but the basic ideas will be there.

[herodotus]

Oh, and you could try some of these: http://www.bachcentral.com/invent.html

[bullshark]

Does anybody have any recommendations on sheet music that could be used by someone who is just learning to read music decently? I'm looking for something that has a bit of complexity, but not too complex that i'll drown in all the things going on. I suppose this could be a good thread for those, like me, who are starting to grasp learning theory and being able to just write and read music a little. So?

For what instrument? If it's for piano, I'd suggest taking a sub to Pianist Magazine, loads and loads of good quality scores every month, all categorised by level of dificulty and accompanied by a CD.

[dougsyo]

When I took music theory in high school (mid-70's), we analyzed some hymns. A book store would have them new for $10 or so for several hundred songs with relatively simple four-part harmony.

Doug

[No name]

I'm heading over to a sheet music store tomm to pick up a more in depth music theory book so i'll be looking through their collections. Hymns huh? Interesting, i'll see what I can find.

[JumpingJackFlash]

When I took music theory in high school (mid-70's), we analyzed some hymns. A book store would have them new for $10 or so for several hundred songs with relatively simple four-part harmony.

It depends if the original poster is after music to study for harmonic analysis, or music to increase sight-reading capability. If it's the latter, while hymns and other Bach-chorale style 4-part-harmony are great for studying harmony, vocal scores do not always lend themselves well for the piano, as they often cross parts, double notes, and otherwise contain unidiomatic writing which can be confusing for the novice pianist.

It is much better to make sure you get music written specifically for your instrument. - Any simple stuff should be good. For best results, try to learn something new every day. Don't get caught up in achieving a flawless performance, but concentrate first on playing fluently and instinctively.
Books like 'Classical Favourites" or "100 Greatest Movie Themes" might be a good bet.

Sometimes it helps to be familiar with a tune before you play it, then you can get used to the notation. But, it's obviously more challenging if it's something you don't know. Always start with the simplest stuff you can manage and gradually move onto harder stuff.

Remember it is much harder to sight-read for a keyboard instrument than it is for a monophonic instrument (for obvious reasons). (If you are starting out on a keyboard instrument, try each hand separately first, but as you improve, it is better to study simple music for both hands together than it is to study harder music for individual hands).

I don't recommend playing from scores from MIDI files either, as their notation often comes out very fussy and pedantic.

[tee boy]

I think that you really need to learn to read on an instrument. Perhaps some will disagree, but if I were you, Id learn to read on the keyboard. Being able to fluently read short score is so important, even if you cant sight read (play) it so well.

Sight reading is a specialised skill, and not one thats essential for people who arent specialising in that instrument.

TB

[kevvvvv]

I taught myself to read and it was a struggle for months and months

Tried all sorts of books and easy scores, and stumbled through by using public libraries in big towns, which have loads of free stuff to photocopy

Then I found someone who could teach me - properly

But he wasn't interested and I had no money to pay him

So I begged and begged until, out of despair, he took me on

Motto: Never give up - and try anything

[No name]

I taught myself to read and it was a struggle for months and months

Tried all sorts of books and easy scores, and stumbled through by using public libraries in big towns, which have loads of free stuff to photocopy

Then I found someone who could teach me - properly

But he wasn't interested and I had no money to pay him

So I begged and begged until, out of despair, he took me on

Motto: Never give up - and try anything

I never will...I've been "playing" keys for 10 years now I'm just learning theory and how to read music though, so yea, it has been a longggg frustrating time on the piano, if only I had actually got the hint to learn theory and stuff earlier, I would have been had it by now.

But yea, I just love music too much to ever quit.

[No name]

On another note, I forgot to mention that I have been thinking of taking some sort of lessons. You see, we have a small music shop about a mile from my house, it's mostly a guitar and bass shop, but they have lessons in all the different instruments (keys,guitar,violin,etc). I have been considering it, but i'm not totally sure Ishould trust their price rates. I think it is like $100 a month, once a week for one hour or something of that nature. I think I got plenty down so far, but now i'm trying to actually take what i've learned and apply it. Writing and reading music, creating music out of all these keys and chords and all of that.

Ok, so I will be cautious and just hunt down music for piano.

[kevvvvv]

No name

I think it is like $100 a month, once a week for one hour or something of that nature.

Reasonable price if they're good.

Most tutors will give lesson one for free so you can suss out.

No name

I just love music too much to ever quit.

yey

[the_nihilist]

I never will...I've been "playing" keys for 10 years now I'm just learning theory and how to read music though, so yea, it has been a longggg frustrating time on the piano, if only I had actually got the hint to learn theory and stuff earlier, I would have been had it by now.

I've been there. What a love/hate feeling...

"Why didn't anyone me about this before??!"

[No name]

Yea, it's coming along quite nicely now. Before I dived into theory I always approached music as something some people just "can do naturally". I always felt like music was some abstract concept that had no structure or form, but the theory offers me a foundation that helps tremendously. I should have just sat down and learned the theory, but i'm quite impatient sometimes so you can see why I never did it. Little did I know that I did need to learn this stuff to be consistent with making music, as it shows you how the music is put together, which was always my main problem.