How to Read Baritone Music
Baritone music covers a range that straddles both the bass and treble clefs, but it is mainly written on the higher portion of the bass clef. Because most music students are taught to read treble clef music only, reading music written for baritones in the bass register can be tricky. The only way to become truly fluent in reading music is to read and play every day, but this how-to should give you a good basis for beginning to read baritone music.
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Instructions
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1
Locate the note D. In bass clef, D is the center line of the five-line clef. This D would be six white keys below middle C on a keyboard. Use D as a central point of reference to locate other notes above and below that line.
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2
Memorize the mnemonic device "Great Big Dogs Fight Animals." The initial letter of each word represents a line of the bass clef beginning at the bottom line and ascending: G B D F A.
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Memorize the mnemonic device "All Cows Eat Grass." The initial letter of each word a space of the bass clef beginning at the bottom space: A C E G.
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4
Practice reading the bass clef by making flash cards. You should be able to read and name each note as quickly as you would recognize the letters of the alphabet.
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5
Write the note names next to each of the notes on copies of baritone music as you are learning. Check the key signature at the beginning of the piece to know when notes are sharps or flats.
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Tips & Warnings
"Accidentals" are sharp, natural, or flat markings placed before notes to indicate that they are played differently than the key signature indicates. They only effect the notes played in the measures in which they appear and are to be disregarded after those measures.
Don't neglect to learn the notes on the ledger lines and spaces in both the upper and lower register beyond the clef.
Remember that a note on a line will appear in a space one octave higher or lower and vice-versa.
If you want to improve your reading, read music. There is no other way to improve music-reading skills than to read music.
Don't rely on written-in note names. They are fine to use as a beginner but can reflect badly on your musical knowledge if you persist in using them.
