7 Ways to Improve Your Sight-Reading

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Practice Notes 32: 7 Ways to Improve Your Sight-Reading

Today's contents:

7 ways to improve your sight reading skills
1. Gather as much information before you start to play
2. Prioritize rhythm and pulse
3. Read in chunks, both vertically and horizontally
4. Recognize patterns and sequences
5. Be aware of harmonic centers and the composer's language
6. Learn how to fake better

Sight-reading is an interesting topic for me. Depending on the music that I am reading, it's quite often a challenge for me to sight-read on the spot. Although I don't think it ever gets extremely easy, there are just a few things that I have come to realize about sight-reading that I think make a huge difference to be aware of. Please keep in mind that this topic applies to initial reads of a score, sight-reading through a score just out of curiosity, and sight-reading with others in a social or professional situation (where sight-reading is expected of you). Hope it helps in some way!

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As always, thank you so much for watching, and thank you to all of you that leave comments. Happy practicing! :)

[RohannvanRensburg]

It's kind of funny how expertise tends to be doing less of the wrong thing over time, haha. I.e. with archery, as skill increases, your goal isn't to hit the bullseye more, it's to miss less and less badly.

[SofiaGonzalez-brnh]

Tips summary.-
1) Gather as much info as possible (time signature, key signature, tempo, essence of the piece and eye-catching characteristics)
2) Prioritise rhythm and tempo. This will support your playing.
3) Read chords, intervals and phrases (set of notes) as one thing.
4) Notice patterns and sequences. It'll help you predict what's next and reset in the next module if you make a mistake.
5) Know the harmony of the piece, so you'll capture the accidentals, sharps and flats' pattern.
6) Fake sight reading a decent amount to be doing less of the wrong thing. The point of s.r is that you capture the essence of the song.
7)It's better to stick to the rhythm even if you play the wrong notes.

[Jestunes]

Guess it all comes back to practice, practice, practice. It's familiarization that helps you get through sight reading. The more you practice the better you get. Of course approaching your practice the right way is most important. That's why I'm always watching you and learning. Wow amazing how many videos you've made. I never get tired of them. Just need to watch them more. Take care. Your loving fan, Jesse

[iralia]

I always ask my younger students to find three things in the first bar that gives you lots of info; that is: key, time and tempo.
It starts with these things as soon as they appear in their music. I also use the analogy about taking in a whole word, rather than just syllables, when reading.. " how would you say this word in kindergarten?".Finally, I start each lesson with sight reading so it becomes less stressful and more of a game. Nahre's ideas can be implemented right from the beginning. They really work.
My teacher used to say I was a brilliant sight reader because I didn't practice. Boy, did I concentrate in lessons!

[rebeccasherrod]

You are amazing. Your ability to explain one concept using concepts in other areas is the gift of a true teacher! Most people at your expert level only know their own craft (albeit very well), and it is hard for them to pull examples from other areas. Using the idea that you can look at groups and phrases of notes the same way as groups and phrases of words - that was awesome. In another video you explained the circle of 5ths and how composers use that similarly to how artists use the color wheel. Brilliant. I am a teacher, an artist, and a musician, and I think your method of explaining things is dead on brilliant. :) I wish you were my music teacher! Im off to buy your book! Thank you!

[obediahbauer]

I'm glad you're back. Thank you for the uploads; have a beautiful day!

[Fullyautomagic]

“Yesterday ate giant” makes perfect sense to me

[melinda]

So many things to pay attention to before you actually play. I play to enjoy so i don’t do the steps; i read and it gives me pleasure as the music unfolds.

[MBSA]

You’re really really good and you’re teaching is concise and straightforward

[blainemarlow]

You are so good at VIDEO. I wish you were my Piano teacherz...
Seriously though, I'm gonna work my butt off at becoming a better piano player day and night.

[logangreen]

Literally, Im trying to keep up and understand and i just have to say you are so amazingg

[rubek]

I have no idea what you are talking about but my God it was incredible.

[rawrisimo]

My respect for you has multiplied for a thousand. And I already had you for a piano shredder (in the good sense). Thank you for your advices.

[dibaldgyfm]

I have had the privilege to watch at least two pianists who seemed to enjoy sight reading - being able to phrase and form the pieces (which however may have been more or less known beforehand.) I have second hand information on a pianist who enjoyed accompanying singers and soloists for radio-recordings - sight-reading.

We should distinguish between types of piano-settings: solos, bread-and-butter pieces, accompaniment, and so on. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) has a difficulty-grading system which may be helpful in determining what pieces are within reach for *your* level. Sight reading music has improved my fingering ability (and moves) but foremost: It is fun and you feel good if you choose music within your limits. (Gee a long comment! I should emphasize that Nahre Sol's advices are main basis for sight-reading!)

[hendrikfranss]

This video is so good ! Helped me a lot

[SeanEmanon]

So interesting to watch, yet so complicated for me

[vomanna]

That kind of channel tho. I insta subbed, after watching thirty seconds only :)

[tonypet]

To fake in a way that is less wrong. I do that. If it sounds it is. I'm not that good and cannot remember a line of music without the dots. Thanks for reinforceing my method of playing.

[JohnStraussmusic]

o man I 've been search sight reading on youtube for at least a year now and only now I come across this great video. why is that?

[EnversPianoCollections]

You really deserve MUCH more views. Can I ask you something? Looks like you go to the next page on your tablet with just one touch on the screen, what app are you using to do that? I'm using the adobe acrobat for pdf's and I have to slide my finger on the screen, it' so uncomfortable. Thanks and sorry for my english.