Introduction
In this section you will find tools and resources related to music theory, note reading, and rhythm training.
Tips relating to the Fingerboard you will find in the section “Violin Practice”.
Music Theory
Dolmetsch – Music Theory and History Online
Musical-U.com
A website to develop general music skills; ear training.
Teoria – Music Theory Website
This website offers tutorials on music theory and articles on a variety of musical subjects, including a nice essay on “memorizing”.
Violin and Viola Lessons Connecting Note Reading with Note Placement
by Diane Allen who also wrote the Fingerboard Workbook Series
Suzuki Note Reading for Violin
by Sinichi Suzuki. This is great for people who know the Suzuki songs already.
Picardy
This website was developed by a group of composers and theory majors from University of Texas. The subscription price is reasonable and I sampled some of the games and quizzes and they are excellent.
Music Theory Minute
Short music theory videos
Learn to Read Music (Softcover)
This is a concise little book with well presented material.
Theta Music Trainer
This is a super interactive music theory site. Have loads of fun!
Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music
Sight Reading
Improve Your Sight-reading! Violin, Grade 1: Grade 1
I’m a huge fan of anything Faber Music Publishes, and the Author Paul Harris is a great violin pedagogue. This is the first of a series of books to help improve sight-reading skills. Buy all of them.
Great sheets for sight-reading!
Apps to improve sight reading can be found in the “Software and Apps” section
Rhythm Study Aids
A Rhythm a Week
This is one of the rhythm training books I grew up with as a kid. Excellent for developing fluid rhythmic skills.
Basics in Rhythm (Meredith Music Resource)
Well organized presentation of rhythmic study sheets.
More Basics in Rhythm (Meredith Music Resource)
This is a level beyond the Basics in Rhythm.
Charts and Worksheets
Scale Construction Cheat Sheet
Make your own moveable chart to easily look up mayor or minor scales. The charts work for mayor and minor keys up to five flats or sharps.