7 Common Sight Reading Mistakes To Avoid | Piano Lesson

In this video, we will talk about that one big hurdle for most pianists - SIGHTREADING. To help you master this, I will talk about 7 common sightreading mistakes most beginners make and how to overcome each one of them. Pay attention to every blunder and the steps to correct the mistake. Also do take note of the suggested sightreading pieces that you can tackle, to help develop this very important and much needed skill.

Do share suggested beginner sightreading pieces for others to try.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:21 Mistake Number 1
1:08 Mistake Number 2
1:54 Mistake Number 3
3:53 Mistake Number 4
5:14 Mistake Number 5
6:42 Mistake Number 6
7:25 Mistake Number 7

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[maryreese]

Your best pointers: Don't stop, keep the flow (this is essential if you're accompanying a soloist or choir). Write in the fingering and notes. Learn music theory. I would also add: practice each hand separately at first so you can concentrate on fingering.

[Alter_Onkel]

Hi Friend Jazer! You are the best teacher I have found online!
I learned to sight read back in college: I accompanied nearly all the voice students. For me, it was 'sink or swim.'
You are 100% correct: we do have to practice sight reading, even if we become proficient.
Your statements comparing it to language: I read Hebrew, French, German and English. Again, you are 100% correct!
As one who has been playing for more than 50 years, my suggestion to those reading these comments: SUBSCRIBE TO, AND FOLLOW JAZER LEE! HE KNOWS!

[streyycat]

Agree with others who find it difficult to read ahead. When I focus 1-2 bars ahead I tend to mess up the bar I’m playing. My compromise is to have the next bar in my peripheral vision. That gives me clues about what to expect coming up.

[EllaONeill-pn]

I totally think that my #1 sight reading mistake is stopping every time I make an error. I also don't practice everyday, so that is another. I honestly make all of them except: focusing on individual notes, trust me, i see the bundle and am ready to play. Somehow, i made it to intermediate level without a teacher, my teacher was you, now i am 13, still in intermediate, i have a teacher, and she says i am perfect at technique and theory, all thanks to you Jazer. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[colomboeduardo]

Maestro Jazer: it is almost impossible to believe but watching your video I realized I was making those 7 mistakes all the time!. Thank you very much for this educational video. Un abrazo desde La Palma.

[rogerparkhurst]

His Barton was one of my favorites because of its variety.

[exek]

Thank you!!! I have always struggled with the low and high notes. I thought why can't those notes be as easy as the notes I don't struggle with (notes in the middle) I needed your teaching and also realize now I need to take time to practice sight reading daily

[lawrencetaylor]

My sightreading recently improved immensely. I went and got glasses to correct an astigmatism.
I don't need glasses for everyday life, but I am committed to being a better pianist.
You were my inspiration over 2 years ago. I saw a video of yours, I paused the video and visited a music store and bought a piano, finished the video and have been at it ever since.
Merci beaucoup from a now 68 year old in Western Switzerland.

[AgnesReynaud-zz]

I love your vidéos, Thank you so much.
My sight reading is okayish, but I’m still stuck when the notes are not on the staff like the high/bass notes or the notes between the two staffs.

[WorstSanta]

Yep, read ahead is the main point. Thanks you Jazer! I can add to the list, mark the notes you are wrong at too often, that will help in correcting mistakes.

[bencheng]

Very useful! I will follow these advices, thanks a lot!

[IIgleebearII]

Finally! A content about sight reading 😌

[nevetsny]

When you get to a certain level is labeling notes a crutch? At some point one should quickly ID any note 3-4 ledger lines above or below?

Fingering, I labeled every RH note for Chopin Etude 25.2 and it helped so much with learning it faster.

I also try and label each bar with roman numeral, the “root” chord underlying that measure to see progression and it helps as well.

Love seeing a marked up score - it usually means someone is thinking about structure and intention of composer.

And you can’t know every word of Italian or French or Russian or whatever. I’ll translate those.

[PianoGuidance]

Writing on sheet music is okay? Wish I knew that sooner! Always felt guilty about it. Thanks for the permission lol😅

[naund]

I learned under pressure in college: I accompanied the voice students who brought their music, plunked it in front of me, and took their lessons! One guy hadn't practiced but somehow learned his six songs for his required mini recital. I'd never seen his music before or played for his lessons. Recital day I sight read. The teacher complimented me😊
I also took voice lessons years later. That's how I learned about phrasing, a story for another day.

[neylabak]

thank you Jazer😊.this video is so helpful for me

[notTopper]

wow, really helpful, tysm, love it.

[adgurl]

Thank you for the last tip…as a beginner I am always writing notes on my sheet music and for a while I stopped because I thought I was cheating or hindering my process. I always write in pencil so I can erase if I need to. ❤

[elaineolson]

Hmmm….the hardest part of this is reading ahead. Definitely slows me down now (or I think it does anyway!). Practice, practice! Thanks as always for the video Jazer 😊

[Mnd-Snne]

vielen Dank Jazer! ich stoppe, sobald ich danebenspiele. Dann fange ich x- mal wieder an und falle erneut über den Fehler.
Ich werde dieses - und andere Fehler- in Zukunft vermeiden. Grüsse aus dem Osten der Schweiz 😊