Look, Listen, Play!

A Colorful Guide to Instruments, Playing and Learning

NISMCAA • My first steps in music

Read a little. Look closely. Try one small step.

Beginner learning book • Use with a teacher

Hello young musician

This book is for you. You can look, listen and make music.

1. Choose one instrument with your teacher.

2. Look at its picture. Find the same parts on your instrument.

3. Watch your teacher. Try one small step.

You do not need to learn every instrument at once.

Get ready to play

Ask your teacher to help your instrument fit you.

1. Sit or stand comfortably. Let your shoulders relax.

2. Play at a comfortable volume. Take short breaks.

3. Stop and tell an adult if playing hurts or makes you dizzy.

Care for your instrument

1. Ask an adult to help with straps, reeds, tuning and stands.

2. Use your own mouthpiece or the school’s cleaning routine.

3. Put your instrument away carefully when you finish.

Left and right mean YOUR hands. In a picture, they may look reversed.

Feel the beat

The beat is like steady walking steps.

1. Say 1, 2, 3, 4 evenly.

2. Tap once on each number.

3. Repeat with a partner. Start and stop together.

Try it again: tap, tap, rest, tap. Keep counting during the rest.

A rest is a quiet place in the music.

Find C on the keyboard

Look for TWO black keys together.

1. Find the white key just to their left. That is C.

2. Ask your teacher to show C, D and E.

3. Play C, D, E, D, C slowly.

Use a relaxed hand. Let each key come back up.

Sing a short song

A song is a musical way to share words.

1. Listen to one short line from your teacher.

2. Sing it back in a comfortable voice.

3. Sing together. Finish the last word together.

Make up your own line: “Today I can ______.”

String instruments

Point to each instrument. Say its name with your teacher.

Meet the acoustic guitar

Find these parts: body • strings • neck.

1. Sit on a steady chair.

2. Rest the body on your right leg.

3. Let your left hand reach the neck.

Your teacher checks your hold before you play.