Last summer, I created a set of pre-reading pattern cards to use with my beginning students. The cards use simple 5-note patterns of steps and repeated notes on a 2-line staff, and encourage students to read by pattern, rather than note name. We’ve really enjoyed using these in the studio through the year, so this summer I decided to add 2 more sets of pattern cards to my collection.
The first new set uses skips and repeated notes (no steps), on a 2- or 3-line staff. Just like the original set, I opted to create both an iPad version that I could use at lessons, and a printable PDF I could send home with students, if desired. The sets include 16 patterns – 8 for right hand and 8 for left hand. Here’s a sample of an iPad graphic:
and a sample of the printable version:
The second new set uses a combination of steps, skips and repeated notes. It also uses a mix of 2-line and 3-line staves. Here’s a peek at an iPad graphic (you’ll notice that the background color of each iPad set is different, so they’re easy to organize):
and a sample of the printable version:
The iPad graphics come packaged as ZIP files that include the 16 individual graphics for each set. You can find all 3 sets on the iPad Resources page.
The printable PDFs come in a booklet with 2 patterns to a page. Each booklet includes an instruction page for at-home practice. You can find these sets on the Flash Cards page.
Awesome ! I am totally going to use these. A lot of my students do not like to read the notes and I have discussed with them the importance of sight-reading as well as the supportive skills of dictation and solfege
These are fabulous! I have a student who will benefit from these so much. Thank you!
Woo hoo! I use the first set frequently with my beginner students and was just thinking about how nice it would be to expand the set. Thank you thank you!
Thank you for all this resources. You are the best!