I sometimes despair of today's education establishments who make things appear so difficult.
At school in the late 40's/early 50's I was taught to play the mouth organ (harmonica).
These small, inexpensive instruments produced a satisfying sound and we played as a class from the music on the blackboard.
This was a small country school so the only senior class consisted of pupils from 8 - 13years.
Some of the pupils became remarkably proficient at playing and reading music and the reading music was a particular skill that has stayed with me throughout my life.