Music Literacy Sessions

Many capable music students struggle not because of effort or motivation, but because the fundamentals of reading and rhythm never fully clicked.

I’m Wade Ridenhour, a professional pianist/keyboardist and music educator based in the Washington, DC area. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with students throughout the U.S. and internationally, and I’ve consistently noticed the same pattern: when music literacy, specifically note reading and rhythmic understanding, isn’t fully clear, practice becomes frustrating and progress slows.

Music Literacy Sessions were created to address that specific problem. These are focused, goal-specific sessions designed to strengthen core reading and rhythm skills so music feels clearer and easier to work with. They are meant to supplement, not replace, a student’s regular lessons, and to support the work they’re already doing with their current teacher.

The goal is to help students develop real independence in their music studies. When notes and rhythms can be identified quickly and accurately, practice becomes far more efficient. In many cases, students are able to achieve the same, or better, results in significantly less time.

This clarity carries directly into lessons. When less time is spent correcting notes and rhythms, teachers can focus more on technique, dynamics, articulation, and musical expression. This makes lessons, practice, and music-making overall more rewarding.

Who Music Literacy Sessions Are For

Music Literacy Sessions are a good fit for students who:

• struggle with reading notes or rhythms

• feel overwhelmed or frustrated during practice because reading feels unclear

• rely heavily on memorization rather than reading

• progress more slowly than expected despite consistent effort

Sessions can support piano students, band and orchestra students, homeschoolers, and adult learners.

Sessions are held online via Zoom (or a comparable video platform, if needed). Setup information is provided in advance.

• Students typically work from the method books or materials they already use in their regular lessons.

• The focus is on identifying the level at which a student can read and play independently - not just the level of pieces they can perform with guidance.

• From there, sessions build reading and rhythm skills gradually through targeted reading work, sight reading, and complementary exercises designed to strengthen fundamentals.

Sessions are practical and interactive, with an emphasis on clarity, independence, and efficient practice.