Music Reading, Sight Reading Piano

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Essential rules to sight read well

Being able to sight read well is a tremendous ability. It allows you to play impromptu in groups and learn music faster, rather than stumbling through every note when you first pick up a piece. Some musicians have the natural ability, while others have to work hard to sight read well. If you fall into the latter category, it is not something to be discouraged over. Sight reading can be cultivated with persistent practice.

The following rules are essential to help you learn to sight read well.

Always look over the music first. When you start playing a song, you have a lot to pay attention to in order just to get the right notes on the piano the first time. Consequently, trying to notice all the other details can get pushed to the side. Looking the song over helps you note things you otherwise would have passed over. Watch for

• Key changes
Just because a song starts in the key of F doesn't mean it will stay there. Usually there will be an obvious transition leading up to the change, but be watchful! Rarely, though, does a song conclude without coming back to its original key. Also watch for any accidentals.
• Time signature changes
Time signature changes generally do not last for many measures. Stay on your toes!
• Dynamics
• Runs
Coming up on a run unexpectedly can be startling. Be prepared by noting if the run is simply a scale run or if it contains skips and steps mixed together, as well as any accidentals.
• 8va's
• Repeats, codas
• Ledger notes
Ledger notes are the ones positioned above or below the staff, noted by the additional lines drawn. They are easy enough to figure out while looking over the music, but they can be challenging to recollect as you are in the middle of playing the song. Lightly pencil the note name in if you think you will forget.
• Big jumps
Are there any notes where you will suddenly have to jump down to grab an octave bass note before returning?
• Tricky timing (such as dotted eighth notes)

As you are playing, try to keep your eyes a measure or two ahead of where you are playing. This sounds a little impossible at first, but if you practice it, it becomes second nature. If you already know what you need to play in the measure you are currently playing, then you can automatically skim ahead to know where your hands need to be for the next few beats. Resist the temptation to constantly watch your hands. Your eyes must be on the music when sight reading, not bouncing back and forth from hands to page. You will easily lose your place in the music, and you will not be able to be prepared for the next measure.

Learn to recognize intervals. For example, a skip (or third) goes from line to line or space to space. A fourth is from line to space or space to line. A fifth is line to line or space to space, with an extra line (or space) in between. Being able to immediately recognize an interval automatically tells your fingers what the distance is between the last note played and the next, allowing for quick identification.

Also take note of any obvious patterns developed in the music and is further embellished. Knowing the main theme, it is easier when the pattern is built up to stay up with it. Sometimes a double bar at the end of a measure will signify a new part of the song.

Not all music has fingering marked, but occasionally it will. If it is, then it's important to take notice and follow it! Sometimes fingering notations means that area is extra tricky, or it is establishing the fingering for the rest of the song.

While you are learning to sight read, it is okay to play hands separately. Especially if you are going to learn the song more in depth. Even though you have looked over the song, HS will help you to get all the nuances.

Start incorporating a few minutes of sight reading into your daily practice sessions. Sight reading is an ability which you can improve. Don't be afraid to practice, even if you are not good right now. Check out music books from the library, pick up sheet music at garage sales, or ask your teacher to lend you music. This way you can always have a stack of new material to play through. Whether you are trying to learn to sight read so you can play anything or to just generally help you in more easily learning a new piece, it's guaranteed to help you in your music journey.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• sight reading piano
• music reading
• dynamics
• time signature