READ MUSIC the TRAD WAY

READ MUSIC the TRAD WAY (ONLINE)     

For the "Read Music the Trad Way - LIVE at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025" course click here.

EVERY TRADITIONAL MUSICIAN NEEDS THIS SKILL IN THEIR TOOLKIT!

Music Reading for Trad Players - Made EASY!

A NEW METHOD created BY a traditional musician FOR traditional musicians.

Have you tried to learn to read music before - but gave up? Did you find it too difficult? Was it taking too long? That certainly was my experience. And it was not fun! There’s a reason why. Other music reading courses focus on classical music. And it doesn’t always feel relevant to us trad players. This course is different. It speaks your language. It literally is a shortcut to reading music for traditional musicians. And it really works!!

Online and on-demand - fit it into your own schedule
 

• 10 hours of online teaching videos
• 10 hours of music reading drills and exercises
• Downloadable tips and cheat sheets
• 1000+ newly composed tunes and exercises
• Certified by the Royal Irish Academy of Music

Read Music the TRAD Way

4 STEPS TO MUSIC READING SUCCESS!

• Step 1: Form & Structure

Understand and analyse how the tune is built and laid out on the page.

• Step 2: Rhythm

Recognise the rhythmic patterns and learn how to Clap, Say & Play them easily.

• Step 3: Pitches

Use landmark notes to help you navigate the stave. Practice reading pitch patterns.

• Step 4: Put it All Together

Read and play tunes right off the play - confidently and musically!

Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) Certification

This course is run in association with and fully certified by the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM).

FAQs

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in learning how to read music. It is particularly useful for folk and traditional musicians. Whether you’re a complete beginner, or have some prior music reading skills, this course will guide you through the process step by step. Recommended age is 16+.

How is the course structured?

The course is built on a simple, 4-Step method, designed to get you reading and playing tunes, fast! Each Step is divided into several lessons. You’ll progress through video lessons (each with an explanation and demonstration) and a series of exercises, designed to help you practice and reinforce your learning.

How long will it take to complete the course?

The course is self-paced, so you can take as long as you need. You can choose the bootcamp approach and complete it in one week. Or, you can take it a slower pace and complete it over several weeks or months – the choice is yours!

For additional FAQs please follow this link (bottom of the landing page)

Prerequisites

Age: min. 16+

Equipment: 

Participants will need a device with internet access to view the course materials. Additionally, they will need to have their instrument to hand (this course is suitable for all traditional music melody instruments).

All materials, including sheet music, exercises, checklists, cheat sheets etc. are provided online.

Testimonials

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan)

"Every Traditional Musician should do this course!" (watch video here)

Charles Monod (Tunes from Doolin)

"The ability to read Irish Traditional Tunes", it is not as hard as it looks and it is far less intimidating now!"

Noreen McManus (Musician, Educator)

"It has given me renewed enthusiasm and confidence in my ability to read (and write down) Trad Music. Brilliant!"

Tutors

Dr Liz Doherty

Hello, I’m Liz Doherty. I'm a fiddle player - and for years, I struggled to read music. All I wanted was a simple, no-nonsense method that spoke my language. But it didn't exist! That's why I put my 30 years of experience as an academic and educator to good use, and created this course - to help traditional musicians master music reading, quickly and easily!

"I'm obsessed with how traditional musicians learn (and teach). I wake up every morning and think to myself, 'how can I help?'"

To read more about Liz Doherty’s idea for this course click here.

Video

A live (in person) version of this course (as part of the 2024 Willie Clancy Summer Scool in Clare) was featured in a TG4 documentary earlier this year.

To view, please use the following link:  Read Music the Trad Way (TG4) and fast forward to ca. 7:30 min in the video.