If you’ve ever dreamed of playing the piano but found yourself staring blankly at sheet music, wondering where to start, the “Read Music FAST!” course by Benedict Westenra might be the game-changer you need. Designed to help absolute beginners master the art of sight-reading in record time, this course promises to transform your music-reading skills using a unique, simplified method.
Instructor Reputation
When it comes to learning any new skill, the right teacher can make all the difference, and Benedict Westenra certainly brings impressive credentials to the table. Benedict isn’t just another piano teacher; he’s a seasoned professional with over ten years of experience teaching students from all walks of life. With a stellar 4.8 instructor rating, over 11,000 reviews, and more than 45,000 students to his name, his reputation precedes him. His background includes working with signed artists, senior record executives, and other professionals within the music industry, giving him a unique insight into what it takes to succeed in music.
But what sets Benedict apart from other instructors is his practical, down-to-earth approach to teaching. He understands that not everyone learns at the same pace or in the same way. His methods have been tried and tested over the years, shaped by feedback from hundreds of students who have benefited from his lessons. He’s not just teaching a course for the sake of it; his passion for music education shines through in every lesson. His ability to break down complex concepts into simple, understandable steps has earned him the title of “the best piano teacher in London” and a loyal following of students who swear by his methods.
Benedict’s teaching is also informed by his work in the broader music world. He’s not only written a musical that he had the privilege of playing for Stephen Sondheim, but he has also worked as an official arranger for some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Beyoncé, Michael Bublé, and Cher. These experiences reflect his deep understanding of music theory and performance, which he seamlessly incorporates into his teaching. It’s not often you find a course instructor with this level of experience and recognition, and his students’ glowing testimonials further highlight his dedication and effectiveness as a teacher. If you’re looking for a course led by someone with a deep-rooted passion for music and a proven track record in teaching, Benedict’s “Read Music FAST!” is a compelling choice.
Course Structure
The “Read Music FAST!” course is meticulously structured to ensure that even complete beginners can quickly grasp the fundamentals of sight-reading. Unlike many music courses that can feel overwhelming with a barrage of concepts thrown at you from the get-go, this course adopts a more focused and manageable approach. Benedict has designed the lessons to be progressive, starting from the absolute basics and gradually building up to more complex concepts. This methodical structure helps to minimize frustration and maximize retention.
The course kicks off by teaching you to recognize just 9 “reference” notes. This might sound like a small start, but it’s incredibly effective. By narrowing the focus initially, Benedict allows you to gain confidence with a manageable amount of information before expanding into the full spectrum of notes. From these foundational notes, the lessons evolve to cover a wide range of notes, including both white and black keys, something many traditional methods overlook. This approach not only makes the learning process feel more accessible but also more comprehensive.
One of the standout features of this course is its use of HD videos with overhead shots of the piano. This visual perspective is incredibly helpful for beginners, allowing you to see exactly what Benedict is doing in real time. The videos are supplemented with high-quality graphics and color-coded notes, making it easier to distinguish between different pitches and locations on the keyboard. As you progress through each video, you’ll encounter interactive tests that assess your understanding and help reinforce what you’ve just learned. These tests are not just static quizzes; they are intelligently designed to focus on the notes you’re struggling with, giving you additional practice where you need it most.
Furthermore, the course does not require a physical piano to get started. This flexibility is a game-changer for those who may not have access to an instrument at home. Instead, the course utilizes an on-screen keyboard for the interactive tests, allowing you to learn and practice anywhere, anytime. This accessibility makes the course ideal for those who are just beginning their musical journey and aren’t ready to invest in a piano or keyboard just yet.
In addition to the core lessons, Benedict has included a mini-course specifically tailored for complete beginners. This segment teaches the note names in an easy-to-understand format, ensuring that even if you have zero prior knowledge, you won’t feel left behind. It’s these thoughtful details that make the course so user-friendly.
Overall, the course structure is designed to provide a solid foundation in note-reading while remaining flexible and adaptable to your learning pace. Whether you are a total beginner or someone who has tried and struggled with traditional methods, the course offers a refreshing new approach that prioritizes ease of learning and practical application. By the end of the course, you’ll find yourself able to see a note on the score and play it immediately on the piano—no more hesitating or second-guessing. And that’s precisely the confidence Benedict aims to instill in his students.
Content Quality
The content quality of the “Read Music FAST!” course is where it truly shines. Benedict Westenra has managed to create a learning experience that is both engaging and incredibly effective. The course takes a fresh approach to teaching sight-reading, stripping away the complexities often associated with traditional methods and replacing them with a more intuitive, visual, and straightforward approach. From the very first lesson, it’s clear that Benedict has put a lot of thought into how to make this content as accessible and user-friendly as possible.
Each lesson is crafted to build upon the last, creating a seamless progression that helps you learn without feeling overwhelmed. The use of HD videos with overhead shots of the piano keyboard provides a unique perspective that allows you to see exactly what you need to see without any confusion. This visual component is critical for beginners, as it shows the exact placement of fingers and notes in real time. The addition of color-coded graphics further enhances understanding, making it easier to distinguish between notes and pitches. The videos themselves are high-quality, with excellent production values, clear audio, and professional editing that enhances the learning experience without any unnecessary distractions.
Benedict’s method departs from the usual rote memorization techniques, like those tedious mnemonics we all remember (“Every Good Boy Deserves Favour,” anyone?). Instead, he takes a visual and direct approach, using clever techniques that focus on seeing and playing notes instantly. This method aligns more closely with how our brains naturally process visual information, making the content feel intuitive and logical. The course covers a comprehensive range of notes, teaching 32 white notes and an additional 24 black notes, totaling 56 notes – a significant leap compared to the 18 notes typically covered by traditional methods. This expanded scope ensures that you are not just learning the basics but actually gaining a thorough understanding of the entire piano keyboard.
Moreover, the interactive tests are a standout feature. They are thoughtfully designed to adapt to your learning needs, focusing on the notes you find most challenging. This adaptive learning style is highly effective, as it allows for targeted practice on weak areas, helping to cement your knowledge and build confidence. The inclusion of these tests means that you’re not just passively watching videos but actively engaging with the material, which significantly enhances retention.
Benedict also provides additional content tailored for complete beginners, ensuring that even those with absolutely no prior musical knowledge can comfortably follow along. This extra step demonstrates his commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, recognizing that every student comes with a different level of experience. The course also includes a mini-guide to learning note names, which is invaluable for absolute novices and a thoughtful addition that many other courses lack.
In terms of depth, the course does not aim to cover every aspect of sight-reading – it is specifically focused on reading individual notes quickly and accurately. It doesn’t dive into topics like rhythm or key signatures, which are often part of more advanced courses. However, this focused approach is actually one of its strengths; it means that you can master one critical skill without getting bogged down in peripheral details. The course content is precise, practical, and, most importantly, effective, making it ideal for those who want to see real progress without unnecessary fluff or filler.
Overall Course Rating – 9/10
After thoroughly examining the course’s structure, content, and instructional quality, I would rate “Read Music FAST!” a solid 9 out of 10. This rating reflects the course’s effectiveness in achieving its stated goal: to help absolute beginners read music quickly and confidently. What stands out about this course is its sheer accessibility and its focus on practical, immediate application. Benedict has crafted a program that is both user-friendly and highly engaging, making it ideal for people who might have been put off by more traditional, theory-heavy approaches to learning sight-reading.
One of the key reasons for this high rating is the innovative teaching method that Benedict employs. His focus on visual learning and intuitive understanding of the keyboard makes the process of learning to read music feel more like a natural progression rather than a forced memorization exercise. The course is clearly aimed at beginners who want quick results, and in that regard, it delivers spectacularly. Students consistently report that they can see improvements within hours, and many rave about how much more confident they feel with sheet music after completing the lessons.
That said, while the course is excellent for its intended audience, it does have some limitations. For example, it does not cover rhythm, key signatures, or how to sight-read entire pieces of music. For those looking for a more comprehensive course that dives deep into all aspects of sight-reading, this might feel like a gap. However, it is essential to recognize that this course is very transparent about its scope from the beginning – it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, it focuses on one critical skill and excels at it. The decision not to include more advanced topics could actually be seen as a positive, as it keeps the content focused and prevents beginners from feeling overwhelmed.
The course also benefits from its flexible delivery. With no physical piano required and the option to use an on-screen keyboard, it’s accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This makes it particularly valuable for people who might be exploring music as a hobby or those who are still deciding whether they want to invest in a full-sized instrument. Additionally, the 30-day money-back guarantee offers a low-risk entry point for anyone unsure if this method will work for them, further enhancing the course’s appeal.
Overall, “Read Music FAST!” is a standout option for anyone wanting to dip their toes into the world of piano without the fear of complex music theory or rote memorization. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s refreshingly effective. With Benedict’s approachable teaching style and the course’s well-thought-out structure, it’s easy to see why so many students have found success with this program. For those looking to quickly learn how to read music notes on a piano, this course is almost certainly worth your time.
