Wordspeller

Learn to read music step-by-step. A book of lessons and whimsical work sheets.

Children - Educational
54 Pages
Reviewed on 07/22/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Kelly Walsh earned a Master of Music degree as a piano performance major from Combs' College of Music in Philadelphia. She has devoted many years to teaching piano and music appreciation classes at various schools and colleges in the Northeast. Today, Kelly lives in Florida with her husband Michael and two pampered Chihuahuas where she teaches at her own music studio, Walsh Piano Studio. You can watch videos of her playing the piano at www.pianolessonsinjupiter.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Janelle Alex, Ph.D. for Readers' Favorite

Kelly Walsh has not only located the big "X" on the map, but she has revealed a fantastic treasure in Wordspeller: Learn to read music step-by-step. Children will be enthralled by the colorful pictures and adorable characters throughout the book. From dragons and witches, to penguins and cows, to cupcakes and parties, the artwork and practice songs will pique children's interest and have them begging to learn the next one.

And, guess what! Wordspeller is far more than just playful images and bright colors. Walsh has done a great job of breaking down the basics of reading music. Kids will learn the music alphabet first. Then they will move into learning about the staff and musical notes. This book points out vital facts such as that some notes are hollow inside while others are solid or filled in. Within each of the fifteen lessons included in the book there are interactive exercises or worksheets for the student to explore how much he or she learned from the lesson. Just like the rest of Wordspeller, the worksheets are fun and playful.

Another point to make is that this book, though clearly geared towards children, can be a fun way to learn how to read music no matter how old you are. Walsh turns something that may be intimidating for some into a relaxed and very enjoyable experience. I absolutely recommend you have this workbook in your music library!

jim (Amazon review)

This is a great little book for anyone, child or adult, that is starting from scratch to learn how to read music. I wish it had been available when I gave up after just a few lessons as a young child years ago because the rote learning was too boring.....fun worksheets like " Squishy Slimy Things" or "The New Gnu Knew" might have kept me at it long enough to make some headway. Heck, I wish it had been available years later when I took up piano at age 56 and had to learn everything again from scratch.

It is beautifully illustrated and has the kind of fun worksheets that young students will enjoy....much, much, better than the usual dry as dust note recognition exercises. Apparently Ms. Walsh has even patented the way she uses notes of the staff to spell everyday words as a memory and recognition tool. I know many adults who take up piano skip over note spelling practice in an understandable rush to make some music right away ..... often they would benefit from a few sessions going through the worksheets in this book. This would also be a great way for parents to interact with their children's learning experience....going through the book and exercises together. Strongly recommended for beginners of all instruments, particularly piano.

Joe D.

Wordspeller is such a quick and easy way to learn how to read music. Very well written. Works great for children or adults. Works better then an app. This book will give anyone a jump start on reading music, and get them on their way to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Juli Sheehan (Amazon revi

Great Resource! This is a wonderful resource for beginning students. The illustrations and explanations offer a fun way of learning to read music. My daughter loves it!

Peter Sidel

As an adult beginning student of piano, I am often reading and using various instructional books. What is great fun is to be learning piano at the same time four of my grandchildren do the same. It is a wonderful bond.

Because of my interests and those of my grandchildren, I have carefully looked through Wordspeller and had two of my grandchildren do the same. We have come to the conclusion that Kelly Walsh's book is engaging, informative and maintains the children's interest as well as their grandfather's interest while we sit and work together to learn the lessons presented.

I congratulate Kelly for being creative while at the same time being instructive. Her approach works marvelously and it is hard to imagine any child not being most willing to learn to read music using her methods. In short, my grandchildren and I highly recommend Wordspeller.