How To Read Music Faster (Piano Lesson)

Sight-reading is HARD. I wish I could tell you that there was ONE TRICK you could learn in minutes to make you instantly better -- but I can’t. There is no quick fix. There is no magic trick.

Learning to sight-read is a lifelong pursuit that even I am still developing after decades of playing the piano. But - while there is no quick fix, there are things you can do to make sight-reading EASIER.

Most of them happen before you even play a note.

These are some of MY tips, there are certainly others out there. If you have any of your own, please comment!

Download the music I'm using to follow along at home:

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Tip #1 - The Pre-Trip - 0:43
Before you even put your fingers on the keys, get to know your music.

Look it over, figure out what key signature it’s in, then get a pen and circle all the notes that will have sharps or flats that you might forget.

Tip #2 - Look For Patterns - 1:39
This has been the most helpful tip for my sight-reading. Once you’ve marked up your page, start looking for patterns in the music.

When you find patterns in notes or phrases, you can read one note in that pattern and kind of guess the rest.

If you see notes moving up from a line to a space to a line, you know they are just stepping up one note at a time. You don’t have to read every single note -- just the first and last.

Tip #3 - Use Proper Fingering - 2:22
Many pieces of music will write suggested fingering patterns. But if it doesn’t, take a moment to look at the starting note, and then the note that comes immediately after it.

If the next note is higher, you’ll know not to start with your pinky finger. If it’s lower, you’ll know not to start with your thumb. Figure out where you should start -- and again make sure to write it on your page!

Tip #4 - Find Anchor Notes - 3:08
Very often, pieces of music will have notes that repeat themselves throughout the measures. These are great to use as anchor notes.

That means as soon as you see them you’ll instantly know what they are. You don’t need to read each note every time - because you know it’s the same note.

Tip #5 - Turn Your Sheet Music Into A Chord Chart - 4:06
This one is optional and is more for those of you who play better by ear than by reading.

That's me for sure. I can read chord charts much easier than I can read music scores. By going through each measure and identifying the underlying chord, it helps me to figure out what notes I can expect to be in the melody.

You might be surprised to find that even classical composers used chords in their music!

If you want to learn more about chords, check out our FREE series:

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I do a LOT of writing on my music, and you shouldn’t be afraid to write on yours either. My sheet music is often filled with written notes to myself and different colors, but that’s what helps me play better.

Good luck with all of these tips, and if you have any questions please comment. I read them all.

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ABOUT LISA:
Lisa Witt has been teaching piano for +20 years and in that time has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn to play the songs they love. Lisa received classical piano training through the Royal Conservatory of Music, but she has since embraced popular music and playing by ear in order to accompany herself and others. She is a songwriter and recording artist. Lisa’s contagious enthusiasm will have you excited to practice and return to the keys for your next lesson. Her teaching style focuses on you, making lessons encouraging and fun.

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[carlosrobbins]

My sister was great at sight reading, and she doesn't care for the piano. I would probably kill to have her ability as I'm the music lover in the family. Life can be so cruel.

[pamelaclayton]

You are such a good teacher! I am 68 and I’m still learning from you!

[BirdyinBOI]

I have a question...Has the meaning of “sight reading” changed over the years. When I was taking piano lessons 60 years ago, sight reading meant picking up a piece you had never seen before and playing it the best you could...on first sight of it. Anything after that was practicing or learning a piece. Sight reading was your first shot at it and it was a pretty valid gauge of how you were progressing.

[CHARAR]

The way I learned to sightread was after I joined my school band. When I took private piano lessons, I'd pause and my teacher would tell me the note. This led to me learning by ear and memorization, no actual reading.
However, in band you're forced to read and learn on your own and since I never practiced at home (the mallet family is easy to learn if you play piano), I ended up sightreading most of the time without proper time to remember it. All I use FACE, but you get used to seeing D and remembering it's a D in reference of FACE.
This might not make sense, but that's what worked for me at least. It's been almost 3 years and I've improved in sightreading and reading as a whole. Practice every day and you'll get it.

[gregwiles]

I love your advice to circle the sharps or flats. I do this and it helps me get through learning songs a bit faster. Some people have tried to discourage me from doing it, because they're afraid I'll get too dependent on it. But it really seems to cue me about sharps and flats. And, like you said, you don't necessarily have to think about every note.

[musicalintentions]

good advice

Students often get hung up on identifying/naming every single note. Looking for patterns is the way to go.

[kadeandkeys]

So true! There is no shortcut. It takes a lot of practice. It's interesting because you just keep on practicing and you don't really even think much about how good you can sight read. You just keep reading and reading, and years after, you realize that it almost becomes second nature to sight read, and it also becomes fun. Well, for some music.

[justinstuart]

I haven't read music properly for nearly 30 years since I was learning as a child. I watched this video at work came straight home and swear I just played the first 2 parts of Shine on you Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd on my Keyboard almost off pat. Was literally Music to my ears. Thank you so much ! I'm going to keep practicing.!!!

[CSUnger]

My word, what a delightful person. You make learning that much more interesting just by your enthusiasm and personality alone.

[timandmel]

Yes, excellent sight-reading tips. I would add 1) identify any challenging rhythm patterns and clap them out. 2) (Although some people do this naturally, some don’t) while playing, always be looking ahead at least to the next note.

[TheSIGHTREADINGProject]

Thanks! I hadn’t thought of anchor notes and thinking in chords across both hands

My tip- you are not failing if you go right back to total basics to sort out your sight reading. Don’t be afraid of it. The simpler the better. Books that teach reading from a Chord and Interval approach are the fastest way to start getting a bit of progress. Alfred Piano books and I’m told Faber use this. Im using the Alfreds and have gone through from 1b to level 3 and its really helping. Previously I’d got to ABRSM grade 6 without being a fluent reader and it was really frustrating!

Thanks for addressing this. I’m looking for anything to help sort this out!

[mikeuk]

I'm one month into learning piano (65 retired) and find sight reading incredibly difficult. I do what everyone says you shouldn't do and write the notes in. 😔
If I didn't I would never move forward. So far Fur Elise (easy part) and Greensleeves also 1st part of Cannon. Lots of chords which I find difficult to remember names of🤪 lots of scales practice!

[parkerhubs]

I just love watching and learning from your lessons. You have a very pleasant and calming way of teaching the student without feeling overwhelmed. Keep them coming!

[billpowell]

Your tips are perfect for me. I am picking up things slowly, and your videos help a great deal. Your enthusiasm is motivating for me. Thank you for all you do especially for us beginners.

[jeffcorino]

I appreciate your clear and patient explanations and tips. You make learning fun. I am not a beginner but I am picking things up again and wish to advance . My first instrument was the accordion so your left hand exercises was very helpful, in particular .Thank you for your great attitude and lovely smile. Jeff Corino

[NikosAravanis]

Patience and persistence can get you far, thanks for the tips.

[lowstringc]

From a music teacher: you’re a wonderful teacher! Thanks. Also, if I may venture a compliment: your eye structure and the corners of your mouth ate hecka pretty!

[eugenelayton]

Thank you! I've read music for years but never fluently. You've laid out some concepts that I can understand and use to develop my sight reading skills.

[thesb]

1. Look at the music
2. Look for patterns
3. Set up for logical fingering
4. Identify anchor notes
5.turn sheet music into chord chart