Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course Reading, Writing, Rhythm (Note Speller, Book 2): Accordion Book

This supplement directly targets the skill gaps that accordion students often struggle with: decoding notation quickly, writing what they hear, and internalizing rhythmic patterns. Palmer's decades of classroom experience shine through in the progression and exercise design, making the work genuinely useful rather than busywork. Accordion teachers return to this book again and again because students actually improve.

Structured and purposeful. This book doesn't meander; every page has a clear job. The progression builds confidence as students move from basic note identification to more complex rhythmic figures and writing exercises that challenge them to think beyond the page.

Accordion students working through the Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course lesson books who need targeted, systematic practice in notation skills, ear training, and rhythm independence. Teachers looking for supplement materials that don't duplicate the lesson book but instead fill specific skill gaps with focused exercises.

• Work through one section per practice session rather than cramming several pages at once; accordion students benefit from building reading fluency gradually alongside their lesson book studies.
• Have students write out the answers in pencil first, then play through them on the accordion to hear the connection between notation and sound.
• Use the rhythm exercises as a warm-up before tackling new lesson book material; solidifying rhythm patterns eliminates a major stumbling block in learning pieces.
• Create accountability by checking written work at the start of each lesson; students who know their note spelling will be graded take the reading section seriously.

Assign this as required supplementary material during the lesson week, with specific sections corresponding to each lesson in the main course. The note spelling and rhythm work directly supports the repertoire students are learning, accelerating their ability to read new pieces independently.

• Note identification and staff reading across the treble clef range
• Writing notes on the staff from verbal dictation
• Reading and performing rhythmic patterns in simple and compound meters
• Connecting rhythmic notation to physical accordion fingering patterns
• Recognizing interval relationships through writing exercises