Pitch – Reading Music Lesson

This reading music lesson is a supplement to the Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory self-study workbook. While no book is perfect for learning how to read music, this is one of the best available. The concise explanations, brief practice exercises, ear-training CD’s, glossary of music terms, and answer key make it an excellent value. Buy this top-rated self-study course for beginners to advanced musicians and follow along with me.
Best Self-Study Workbook
Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians (Books 1-3 & 2 CDs)
$35.87

The best music theory book for self-study at home available today. Learn how to read and write music in 75 concise lessons you can complete at home. Improve your musical ear with ear-training exercises on 2 included CD's. Test yourself in a review section at the end of each unit. Check your knowledge with the answers in the back of the book.

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02/19/2024 01:04 am GMT

What is Pitch?

The musical sounds that you hear when a music note is played are called pitch.

Pitch is relative. When we compare the pitch of one note to another note, we can hear if it is higher or lower in sound.

The location of the note on the staff determines how high or low it will be in pitch when you read it.

The higher the note is written on the music staff, the higher the pitch will sound.

high pitch

The lower the note you find on the staff, the lower it will sound.

low pitch

If you look at this example once again, we can say that:

pitch space notes
  • The note in space 1 is lower than the note in space 3.  Therefore, it will sound lower in pitch.
  • The space 4 note is higher than the space 2 note and will sound higher in pitch.

Now, let’s do the same thing with this example.

Pitch Line Notes
  • The note on line 1 is lower than the note in line 3.  Therefore, it will sound lower in pitch.
  • The note on line 5 is higher than the note in line 2 and will sound higher in pitch.

Quick Music Theory Reference Guides

Popular Music Theory Cheat Sheet
Music Theory and History SparkCharts
$6.99

This foldable 8x10 inch music theory cheat sheet is an excellent quick reference guide when you need to find the answer fast. The side 3-hole punch allows you to keep it in a 3-ring binder. It is sturdy and folds out featuring music theory and notation on the front and music history on the back.

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02/18/2024 06:13 pm GMT
Essential Dictionary of Music: The Most Practical and Useful Music Dictionary for Students and Professionals (Essential Dictionary Series)
$6.99

A practical pocket-size music theory dictionary and music notation reference guide that is perfect for all musicians from beginner to professional.

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02/18/2024 06:29 pm GMT
The Hal Leonard Pocket Music Dictionary
$9.99

A convenient music theory book that is small enough to fit in your pocket, backpack, or instrument case. A great reference guide for all musicians at any level of music study.

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02/18/2024 10:37 pm GMT
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