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Read Music FAST! Part 2: intervals & key signatures (Udemy.com)

Sequel to my top-rated course, showing you how to read notes in context and decipher key signatures

Created by: Benedict Westenra

Last updated March 2021

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What you will learn

  • Know what an interval is
  • Recognise 2nds, 3rds, 5ths and octaves in a score and on the keyboard
  • Read a key signature
  • Work out any major scale quickly and easily
  • Work out any minor scale quickly and easily
  • Know what key a piece is in by looking at the key signature
  • ... and know what the key signature is if you know what key the piece is in

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Course Description

"Terrific course with innovative approaches to learning sight reading and beginning music theory, clear explanations and demonstrations, and abundant resource materials, all delivered in a calm, friendly manner. Would give 10 stars if I could. Thank you, Benedict!" - Taome N

"His unique method of understanding scales is, by itself, worth the price of the course. Check it out. Definitely one of the best online classes I’ve taken." – Lynn Kear

"If only every teacher/instructor could make learning this easy for their students." - Nana Okyere

Since I launched my "Read Music FAST!" course 2 years ago people have been asking for a sequel, and I've finally had time to make one. In Part 1 I showed you how to read individual notes really fast using my unique reference note system. In this course I show you how to read notes in context, by getting really good at reading the distance between notes, and how to read and memorise the key signatures, all using lots of worked examples. I also reveal my Red/Blue System for working out major scales which I've been teaching my private students for years but have never published publicly before.

Note: this course does not teach you who to read rhythm. That's a huge subject that will require an entire course to itself!

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Instructor Details

Benedict Westenra

I'm a London-based piano coach with over 10 years of teaching experience. Students include signed artists, senior record executives, and other industry professionals.

I'm currently workshopping a musical which I wrote the book, music, and lyrics to, and which I was invited to play to Stephen Sondheim, plus I've also worked as an official arranger for Beyoncé, Michael Bublé, Cher, and others.

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Reviews

4.8

1,497 ratings on Udemy

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By Gabrielle wolfe on 5/29/2026

I love Benedict's calm clear voice. his explanations are thorough and uncomplicated. He tutors at your pace, not his. It's my first tutor who makes progress achievable for me. Half hour lessons in person were always too rushed. Benedict is there whenever your ready. Takes all my nervousness away. Thrilled I found this course. Thank you. Gabrielle

By Joseph on 1/24/2026

listen. If you have any trouble reading music you cannot go wrong taking this course. I would rate myself an advanced beginner. I've only finished the Part 1 and the exercises and I feel so much more confident identifying the notes on sheet music. For the price just sign up and take it. The instructor is very clear and low key. You will enjoy it...the price is nothing.

By Tam Phan on 5/29/2022

I went through Read Music FAST 1, Read Music FAST 2, Piano Chords. I cannot find words to express how grateful I am when I found this instructor and his courses. His methods are unique, easy to remember; the way he designs the courses makes me never feel bored. This course is amazing, and it deserves more than 5 stars. It covers all you need to know about intervals and key signatures, which sound difficult and complicated, but his method makes the concepts simple and memorable.

By Reema Chawla on 4/23/2021

The best ever course in piano. I have purchased all courses one by one on Udemy of this teacher. Completed them perfectly. My theory knowledge has become so clear that I now am able to work more smoothly on my score sheets. What an easy approach to teaching and so clear. It is a complete package to piano learning. I feel I am blessed. God bless you all

By Jorge Pinheiro on 4/8/2021

What a fantastic teacher! Uses the KISS principle - Keep it simple Sir. After just finish the 2 courses, I realized that i understand what years of study don’t teach. Simple methods, simple practice, everything memorized, just brilliant! Now i see the notes, look at the piano and immediately play them and memorize every scales. Great job. Thanks

By Tanapol Pumlumchiak on 3/18/2021

Well instructed and clearly explained. As a beginner I found it very helpful and make me more joyful in practicing piano. I also love the advanced part of the scaling and chord wheel (even though I don’t understand some of it but I love to see how the music theory works and will come back to learn again after I practice more). Highly recommend!!!

By Kan on 8/12/2020

The mathod or technic of reading sheet music is fantastic and easy to understand. The ancent is clear and he use easy vocabulary. it is easy for non native english speaker to understand. The graphic / sheet music / virtual key showing during his explination are good. The document in the course is good.

By Gary Lawler on 7/25/2018

Not enough exercises for the red-blue method. Need more in depth longer understandable examples of each topic. Gave 1st sight reading 5 stars...this 2nd sight reading between 3-4 stars.

By John Fragola on 8/19/2017

Excellent quality and very well paced. Very useful red/blue pattern for scales can certainly allow for quicker computation of scales. Will be referring to this lectures series time and time again because of its usefulness. These 2 series were so useful, I'm hoping for release of rhtym course soon. In the meantime i will get started on his piano lectures. Easily 5 stars!

By AbusuaYedom Quarshie on 3/30/2017

Arguably the best course on reading music on Udemy. I am delighted that I bought this course. Mr. Westenra knows how to teach, to impart knowledge in a thoughtful and systematic way. He makes you feel you can do it. And that is good. Absolutely brilliant. I think I got more than I spent. Thank you Ben. Trust me and enrol on this course, you won't regret it.

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Overall Score : 96 / 100