IJN Music

Superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti talks musical education, motherhood – and her marriage to celebrated jazz musician Wynton Marsalis

Read the interview here 👇
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/nicola-benedetti-interview/

We are very excited to launch this new event please contact me on [email protected]

This is a long read but well worth it. Neurodiversity affects how we learn so must affect how we teach as well. The author says a reasonable adjustment that was made for her in exams was not being required to memorise music. I have ADHD and have never been able to memorise music either, and really struggled with scales in grade exams. ABRSM Exams Trinity Laban are you offering any adjustments like this?

Does Dyslexia (or being neurodivergent) Make Learning an Instrument Harder?

I am an ex musician who specialised in teaching SEND pupils and I still
often get asked by parents of dyslexic children: Will it be harder for my child to
learn an instrument or read music? The short answer? It depends—but harder doesn’t mean impossible, and dyslexic musicians can thrive with the right approach.

The Challenges

Dyslexia doesn’t just affect reading words—it can also impact processing speed, working memory, and sequencing, all of which play a role in learning an instrument. Some common challenges dyslexic musicians might face include:

Reading Sheet Music – Standard musical notation is a symbol-based language, just like written text. Some dyslexic learners struggle with recognising notes quickly, tracking across the page, or processing rhythms accurately. For some, just the contrast of the black and white dots and dashes with the bright white of the paper (visual disturbance -many dyslexics have this too) can make things difficult.

Left-Right Confusion – Instruments require coordinated movement, often with different hands doing different things. Some dyslexic people experience directional challenges, which can make this more confusing at first.

Memory & Sequencing – Remembering long passages of music, finger placements, or chord progressions can be trickier for those with working memory difficulties. I have never played a piece of music from memory. This was an accommodation for me at the music conservatoire I studied at because no matter how much I practised, I just couldn’t remember (yet I could when playing with a backing track that I’d learned a piece of music by ear from).

Coordination & Timing – Some dyslexic people also have dyspraxia, which affects fine motor skills and timing, making precise finger placement or rhythmic accuracy more difficult.

The Strengths

But here’s the good news—dyslexic learners also have incredible strengths that can make them fantastic musicians.

Strong Aural Skills – Many dyslexic people have an excellent ear for music. They can learn songs by listening rather than relying on sheet music, which is a huge advantage. This was me because the dots and dashes were incredibly difficult for me to learn and it was only when I began teaching music that I finally understood the theoretical
side of music.

Creativity & Improvisation – Dyslexic thinkers are often highly creative and intuitive musicians. Improvisation, composing, and playing by ear come naturally to many.

Pattern Recognition – While reading music may be tricky, dyslexic learners often excel at recognising musical patterns, which helps with chord progressions and melodies. This was me!

Resilience & Adaptability – Many dyslexic people have developed strong problem-solving skills, making them great at finding alternative ways to learn and play music. I used an answerphone (this was the 90’s 😉) and taped myself playing a composition of mine and then I used a tape player to record the answerphone recording and me playing to get 3 tracks/parts and I continued this until I had all the tracks/parts I needed).

Making Music More Dyslexia-Friendly

If traditional methods feel frustrating, don’t give up. There are so many ways to make learning an instrument more accessible:

• Use Alternative Notation – Some dyslexic musicians prefer color-coded notes, larger fonts, or simplified notation like guitar tabs or chord charts.

• Learn by Ear – Playing music by listening rather than reading can be a huge advantage. Many famous musicians (like Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney) couldn’t read music but were incredible performers.

• Break It Down – Learning in small, manageable chunks helps with memory and sequencing. Focus on one phrase at a time rather than tackling an entire piece.

• Use Multi-Sensory Techniques – Combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning (like tapping rhythms or using apps with visual cues) can reinforce concepts.

• Find the Right Teacher – A patient, neuroaffirming teacher who understands dyslexia can make all the difference. Look for someone willing to adapt their teaching style.

Above all, have fun and focus on developing a love for music rather than passing exams. Music can be enjoyed by everyone no matter how small (or many) the steps needed to learn.

I’ve been using flash cards for right from the start with my students. We always start by speaking the rhythm with Kodaly rhythm syllables then playing on open strings. Adding a performance direction makes this so much more interesting for students
Lessons available for all ages

I’ve got lots of new violin and cello students starting right now through funding from . I’m starting with lots of songs that teach high and low. This may seem like a straight forward concept but is actually very abstract. Notes are only higher or lower in notation, in fact on the cello and double bass we make notes higher by moving our fingers down on the string towards the bridge. It can be very confusing! I use songs such as this frog song with actions to teach high and low kin aesthetically
Contact me to find out more about my teaching style or to book a trial lesson

I am now offering and lessons on a Tuesday afternoon in Ryde as well as continuing to offer lessons on a Friday afternoon in Newport. Lessons available for all ages and I can also help you hire an instrument. Please contact me for more details and to arrange a free trial

I am now offering #violin #cello #doublebass and #ukulele lessons on a Tuesday afternoon in Ryde as well as continuing to offer lessons on a Friday afternoon in Newport. Lessons available for all ages and I can also help you hire an instrument. Please contact me for more details and to arrange a free trial #violinlessons #cellolessons #doublebasslessons #ukulelelessons #isleofwightmusic #isleofwightkids

I love the questions my students ask me! I play a lot of jingle bells every Christmas, it is a great way for students to develop their intonation. When they know a tune as well as this they can hear when they are out of tune and get really precise finger placement. The great thing about playing a string instrument is that we can move the tune to different parts of the instrument for all levels of ability. As to ownership of the song, it is in the public domain, quite a complicated topic for young children but I always try and answer student questions as best I can to keep them interested in music.

I love the questions my students ask me! I play a lot of jingle bells every Christmas, it is a great way for students to develop their intonation. When they know a tune as well as this they can hear when they are out of tune and get really precise finger placement. The great thing about playing a string instrument is that we can move the tune to different parts of the instrument for all levels of ability. As to ownership of the song, it is in the public domain, quite a complicated topic for young children but I always try and answer student questions as best I can to keep them interested in music. #violinlessons #cellolessons #doublebasslessons #musiclessonsforkids #musiclessonsforadults

If you are busy at work during why not have a lesson on a Monday or Tuesday evening? All ages and ability levels face face in Newport Isle of Wight or online

If you are busy at work during why not have a lesson on a Monday or Tuesday evening? All ages and ability levels face face in Newport Isle of Wight or online #violinlessons #cellolessons #doublebasslessons #onlinemusiclessons #isleofwightmusic

Unfortunately I have not had enough interest for Saturday morning Mini Music or beginner strings so they will be cancelled for the rest of this term. I will be looking into new times/days in the new year. Please get in touch if you are interested in attending either group and times that work for you

Come and join us for a free taster of Mini Music at the Play Cafe Newport Minster, St Thomas' Square on Tuesday 12th November. We will be singing songs and doing simple actions with props and instruments and having lots of fun.
Newport Minster
Here are the details to book, thank you,
Call 01983 821961 or email [email protected]