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[Swamp_Donkey]

How the hell do I read sheet music and how do I know what fret and string I’m supposed to play the notes on?
I really enjoy my new mandola but it’s not exactly like there’s a massive collection of tablature to draw on for it like with guitar or even mandolin, and I’ve literally never done anything with regular sheet music before so I have no clue where to start to figure it out.

Reading sheet music is really tough, it takes a lot of time and frustration. Try scales at first and then begin with the easiest stuff you can (think twinkle twinkle little star). Learning to read sheet music takes lots of mental focus while playing something way below your skill level. If you are struggling to find easy mandola music you could always try pieces written for another instrument.
It might be helpful to get a tuning app on your phone and leave it open so you can double check what you're playing occasionally.

Cello uses three clefs and learning the third is nearly as hard as learning the first.

 

[Butwhythough2]

If you're just starting out on guitar or bass. I know a good exercise to help with gaining finger independence. As the ring and pinky fingers always want to move together due to how our tendons in our hands are designed, it's called finger coupling. You don't even need your instrument. Just place your fretting hand flat on a surface and raise each of your fingers, one at a time, lift them as high as you can and try to keep the rest of your fingers flat. It'll help with finger dexterity.

 

[Rot Pocket Dentata]

Reading sheet music is really tough, it takes a lot of time and frustration. Try scales at first and then begin with the easiest stuff you can (think twinkle twinkle little star). Learning to read sheet music takes lots of mental focus while playing something way below your skill level. If you are struggling to find easy mandola music you could always try pieces written for another instrument.
It might be helpful to get a tuning app on your phone and leave it open so you can double check what you're playing occasionally.

Cello uses three clefs and learning the third is nearly as hard as learning the first.

If I'm using duolingo music for it, and duolingo music isn't explaining stuff very well, are youtube tutorials helpful in this situation or am I just in for a frustrating time no matter what I do here?

 

[Swamp_Donkey]

If I'm using duolingo music for it, and duolingo music isn't explaining stuff very well, are youtube tutorials helpful in this situation or am I just in for a frustrating time no matter what I do here?

I have no idea how Duolingo teaches. It depends on what's frustrating you.

If you're not understanding something specific then you should definitely look it up. I'm sure there are a thousand "intro to sight reading" videos on YouTube. If you're taking about difficulty with fluency then yes it just takes lots of time.

 

[Butwhythough2]

If I'm using duolingo music for it, and duolingo music isn't explaining stuff very well, are youtube tutorials helpful in this situation or am I just in for a frustrating time no matter what I do here?

When I was in 6th grade band I played saxophone, I enrolled like ⅔ of the way through the year, I just wrote all the notes underneath the staff. That helped me identify the notes and just used my ear for the rhythm. I kinda already knew some music theory because my uncle played piano and tried to teach music to the young people at church.

 

[Lego Batman]

I have been studying a bit more recently and going to be working on more pieces pretty soon so I'm wondering how long do you practice/study for in a day? Any strategies for more time efficient practice? I aim for around an hour and find any longer to be like getting blood from a stone.

 

[Butwhythough2]

I'd say about an hour of actual practice and I usually noodle around for a bit after.