Wordspeller

by Kelly Walsh

Children (and young-at-heart people of all ages) can easily learn how to read music step-by-step with this delightful book. Every page is in full color, and the fanciful graphics capture and hold the attention of young learners. The 15 light and concise note reading lessons are followed by 30 entertaining worksheet pages, in which the student practices what he learned by writing his own answers on the sheets. (See sample sheets at www.musicwordspeller.com). The worksheets, such as "Squishy Slimy Things", "Chihuahua Tutu Tango", and "The New Gnu Knew" are designed to engage the students through humor. Other worksheets use the language of music to ask a series of questions about the students themselves such as "what's your favorite ice cream flavor" or "do you prefer soccer or baseball"? Teachers of any musical instrument can use this book with their students as a note-speller to reinforce their own lessons. Parents who can't read music themselves can easily help their children learn to read music with Wordspeller, but kids can usually learn on their own without assistance from an adult. The worksheet pages can be corrected as easily as you are reading this sentence because the kids' correct answers will form common, everyday words. A United States patent was granted to the author of this book for the originality of the musical note teaching method that is exclusive to Wordspeller. The note reading lessons in this book apply to all musical instruments. The worksheet pages included in this book are Animals, It's All About You, Doodle on a Poodle, A Magical Mystery, Silly Pet Names, Fluffy's on Safari, What's Your Favorite?, Scary Things, Food, Beaks and Claws, When I Grow Up, Did You Ever Eat...?, Sounds Good to Me, Squishy Slimy Things, Party Time or Party Pooper?, The Good Pet/ Bad Pet Challenge, At the Beach, Jelly Beans or Lima Beans?, Chihuahua Tutu Tango, The New Gnu Knew, and A Fairy Tale Ending. (See sample sheets at www.musicwordspeller.com).

54 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2015

Reviews

[Sara Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my son who takes guitar lessons. He was having difficulty learning how to read music and not having had music lessons myself, I could not help him. Well, we both enjoyed learning music together with this book. I don't know what book another reviewer on this site was looking at when she said she didn't like the book's pictures. They are beautiful and colorful and my son and I both got a chuckle out of them.

[Yuki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this book through Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.

2.5 stars

The music-learning method created by the author was quite interesting. Back when I first started learning how to play the piano, learning methods like these weren't available (or maybe I didn't know about their existence?). And so, reading music came to me quite naturally, I didn't recall having practices like those that are included in the book or the likes. However, I agreed that the exercises in Wordspeller would help a lot of children in learning music, and it's easier to memorize the notes as words.

The biggest turn-off in this book for me was the design. Like many other children' books, this seriously looks like the designer just opened PS and slapped a bunch of colourful stock photos together.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent my whole life wanting to learn how to read music but was too intimidated I guess. It's not a mystery anymore thanks to this book. Very easy to understand. There are work sheets after each lesson to practice the notes you learned. What fun!

[Charlyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter absolutely loves this book! She is as proud as a peacock that she can read music and neither me or my husband can. I just hung her "diploma" from the back of the book on the fridge.