Tips and Tricks for Sight-Reading Music
Why is Sight-reading Important?
If you are a good sight-reader, the ability to read music is far easier and it would take a lot less time to learn a piece well. The most important thing about sight-reading is to read music very slowly and make this practice part of your daily paying routine. Always read music that is below your level, so if for example you are at grade 2 level, try and practice grade 1 sigh-reading. Practising any genre, jazz, pop or classical music will certainly make your practice more fun. Don’t forget that sight-reading isn’t meant to be perfect. And just like anything else you do, the more you practice, the better you will get!
· Number one rule is to make yourself familiar with a Variety of Rhythms
Exploring various rhythms such as 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc. will allow you to get a good sense of what the rhythm is doing.
· Second rule is to try and memorise the Key Signatures
Knowing your Key Signatures is extremely helpful for piano players as this will allow you to know how many sharps or flats are coming up in your sight-reading piece. Don’t worry if it takes a bit of time. Eventually, it will not only make sight-reading easier, but practicing and performing too!
· Third rule is to Know Your Scales
For any Piano players and other instrumentalists, knowing your scales will also help you memorise your key signatures. It will create muscle memory for fingerings and hand placement, so your hands will automatically know what to do!
· Fourth rule is to examine your piece you’re Sight-Reading
Read through the notes, tap out the rhythm, and follow the structure of the song. Try and do some musical mapping. Look for the highest note in the right hand and lowest note in the left hand so you can place your hand in those positions. It is important not to stop whilst you play as you prevent the music from flowing, however allow yourself to stretch out your timing and slow down if you like.
· Fifth rule is identifying your dynamics in the Piece
Take a moment to look for any dynamic changes notated within the piece. Showing that you can follow dynamic changes will demonstrate your great musicality.
· Sixth rule is to relax during the Sight-Reading, Breathe and Enjoy your piece
Don’t focus on the mistakes that you make during the performance and remember that by testing your abilities as a musician, you are making yourself better in the long run.
Why Sight-Reading?
It creates confidence
You will be able to play your music without having to play from memory. With great sight-reading skills, you are more likely to perform in auditions and professional settings and this improves your overall progress as a Pianist.
You create stronger foundation in pitch and rhythm
Along with pitch, rhythm is part of the core foundation of all music. Knowing your rhythm improves the ability to quickly interpret rhythmic patterns combined with interval training and pitch matching.
Ear training and stronger accuracy
Audiation is yet another incredible skill sight-reader will develop. You can do some of these exercises that will help you to understand what you hear on the piano.
1. Try and practise listening to Chords. Identify the type of chord that you heard
2. Listen to intervals and identify the interval between the two notes
3. Listen to scales and try and name the scale you just heard
4. Recognise the perfect pitch by naming each note that has been played
Expanded your musical opportunities
Becoming the masters of sight reading will increase additional opportunities. This could lead you to helping and accompanying soloists and choirs and flourish your musical and artistic development.
Enjoyment of sight-reading
Sight-reading is a complicated task that requires different sets of strategies and skills. Pianists that are strong sight-readers will find learning new pieces less stressful. This can ultimately encourage them to long-term playing and make them more connected with the piano and create more enjoyment.
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