Reading the grand staff
Step 1 of L2. Read notes across two octaves around middle C and recognise steps and skips at a glance.
Skills: Intervals, Note reading, Sight reading
You are ready to move on when
- Name any note from bass C to treble C, two octaves around middle C, within two secondsCheck yourself: Do a one-minute round of the note drill over this range and compare your score and speed with last week's round.
- Most answers within two seconds
- Ledger-line notes near middle C correct
- Both clefs equally quick
- Read seconds to fifths on the staff as shapes and play them without naming every noteCheck yourself: Record yourself playing a short melody by reading the intervals, then check each one against the score.
- Steps and skips read as shapes
- Hand moves without looking down
- Steady beat
- Sight-read an eight-bar piece hands separately at a slow, steady tempo without stoppingCheck yourself: Record your first reading of a short piece you have never played, then compare it with the score.
- Steady beat, even if slow
- No stopping to correct mistakes
- Eyes stay on the music
- Rhythm counted correctly