You didn't learn musical notation in school in the US in the 80s? I started kindergarten in '91 and we did a bit on this every year started in 1st grade I think.
But not enough to become truly literate I'd say. But still, it was definitely part of the curriculum.
> You didn't learn musical notation in school in the US in the 80s?
I was in grade school in the 70's, but I certainly did not. We had "music" class, which was mostly learning songs to sing and basic instruments, but those were more a "put finger here, then here, then here" type of thing. From 4'th grade+ we had optional band (which I was in), so I learned some there.
Intriguing! At least where I lived, they must have changed that by the 90s. I wonder if they are still doing that curriculum now or if it has reverted.
I did have "Music" as school subject in both primary and middle school in Poland in 90s/00s. Cannot sight read but I can transcribe music sheet onto piano roll in DAW with some patience due to those lessons.
Do recorder lessons involve any music theory? Do they include learning notation? Or just blindly making different sounds, or learning just the specific ways to manipulate an instrument?
To answer: Yes, they included learning notation, in fact that was the point.
And they included learning music theory in the same sense learning spelling to first graders includes grammar. Just because it's not explicitly described in terms from the theoretical model, doesn't mean it's not there.
They did however firmly link music note to finger positions, and I think that's a big part of why they failed in promoting universal musical literacy (even though professional musicians too typically sight read that way).
But not enough to become truly literate I'd say. But still, it was definitely part of the curriculum.