4. Now try descending thirds:

C A F D B G E C . . .

5. Could you figure out ascending and descending fifths?  Here’s how ascending fifths starts:

C G D . . .

Once you have mastered these basic patterns, its time to look at them on the staff.  The first two exercises are really just ascending and descending scales respectively.  What perhaps is a little different, however,  is that these scale-like patterns can start on any scale degree. – What this means is that the music notes in this scale can begin on any note -  For example below is the same music reading exercise in G major that presents a series of continuous scales that start on each pitch in the key:

How to Read Music Notes Exercises

The first key with no sharps or flats indicates both C major and A minor, and unless otherwise notated, all pitches are diatonic (that is, have no sharps or flats).  It will be the actual music that really determines which key the composer is using.  Right now, we just want to learn that the key with no sharps or flats is C major/A minor.  Now simply memorize the key signatures with one sharp: G major/E minor; and one flat: F major/D minor in a similar fashion.  You can easily remember these six keys in a few minutes with flash cards.

There are seven sharp key signatures, seven flat key signatures, plus the one with no sharp or flats.  Each key signature represents two possible keys, one major, and one minor.  The key signature with one sharp, for example, can mean that the music is in G major or E minor.  In either case, this particular key signature tells us that all Fs are actually played as  F-sharp.

Learning to recognize key signatures requires a little memory work.  Start with modest goals and work with flash cards.  Here we will be focusing on key signatures up to four sharps and flats. More on this next time!