Read the music !!!

[IvoryTickler]

Gracious goodness.  Two new students in one day who can play fabulously by ear, but can't read at all.  Any suggestions (books) for an 11-year old and a 14-year old, both boys  :-/

[pianodeanne]

I have the same problem with one of my students, a 14 yr old girl.  She likes to come to the lesson and show me what she can do.  she can play the Canon in D and a piece I used to play called "Swinging in Fairyland", but she is just at the beginner stage of reading!  My big problem is that she doesn't seem to want to practice her lesson, only the things she already knows how to do.  She'll come to the lesson and I'll say, "Did you practice good?", and she'll reply, "Yes", and proceed to play the Canon in D or the other one.  

I would like to see some answers to this dilemma, as well!  And, good luck to you!

[Renee]

Evidently this is a common problem.when i first started playing i did the exact same thing,great by ear but gimme music....no way! Luckily i had a great teacher who gave me music i'd never heard to READ!!! She told me if every day i would practice 10 minutes reading and then for say..5 minutes just let my hands fly it would eventually get easier.Of course i didn't believe her but now i realize she was right . my advice is dont discourage the ear,just make them believe playin by music is just as fun.  (because of course it is)