Questions tagged [sight-reading]
Playing or singing a piece directly from sheet music, without prior rehearsing or studying.
135
questions
8
votes
8answers
3k views
Is the purpose of sheet music to be played along to? Or a guide for learning and reference during playing?
When I'm learning new songs on piano (about to take grade 1 for an idea of where I'm at) I use the sheet music to learn what notes to play.
Once I've learnt the song, I tend to no longer be so much ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Should these notes be played as a chord or one after another?
A fairly basic sight reading question coming up... Are these notes (highlighted) intended to be played as a single chord or one after the other? They are so close together that they could be played as ...
3
votes
3answers
105 views
Problems reading sheet music with visual disability
I'm not really sure if "visual disability" is correctly said since english is not my native language and had to use Google Translator.
My worries are about reading sheet music.
I'm trying to learn ...
4
votes
2answers
386 views
Arthur Somervell: 1000 Exercises - Meaning of this notation
Arthur Somervell's uses the following notation on his One Thousand Exercises
Is it a standard notation? What's the meaning?
14
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it better practice to read straight from sheet music rather than memorize it?
My music teacher sometimes tells me too memorize a song, but sometimes also tells me to read straight from sheet music. This confuses me as I am unsure which one is better practice. Is it better ...
0
votes
5answers
361 views
Can you please explain why 'white' soul means accented on the first and third beat while 'black' soul is on the second and fourth? [closed]
Can you please explain why 'white' soul rhythm means accented on the first and third beat while 'black' soul rhythm is on the second and fourth?
4
votes
4answers
669 views
How to develop an internal intuition for note timings?
I have identified three main problems holding back my piano sight reading, and this is the last of them.
Although I can play notes with the right timing by very slowly counting it out aloud ("1-2-3-4,...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Learning to quickly identify valid fingering for piano?
I have identified three main problems holding back my piano sight-reading, and this is the second biggest.
I can work out fingerings by trial and error, but some very experienced pianists just devise ...
7
votes
3answers
160 views
Knowing where to put hands without looking at the keyboard?
I've identified three main problems holding me back from better sight reading on the piano, and this is the biggest one: I need to look away to find the keys for my hands. On a computer I can type ...
0
votes
3answers
83 views
Small instrument to check my sight singing [closed]
I practice sight singing in the morning. I need some way to check if what I vocalize is correct.
What is very small instrument I can do it with (barring a smartphone that I don't want to turn on in ...
5
votes
4answers
509 views
Mnemonics for Tenor Clef
I've been transcribing orchestral arrangements into MuseScore, and have encountered my first Tenor Clef.
I searched online for "Tenor Clef Mnemonic" and other help-with-tenor-clef queries, with no ...
6
votes
1answer
155 views
How do I Read Bansuri Notation
How do I read Bansuri Notation
Mumbai theme - A R Rahman
I know SA RE GA MA PA DHA NI SA, and the concept of low and high octaves.
How do I correlate the letters. And where are the letter ...
-1
votes
1answer
81 views
what can we do when we're struggling with rhythmic notation? [closed]
How can a music teacher help his pupils who have no rhythm feeling at all, who are not able to count or speak in a rhythmical way? How can we improve rhythm reading? Is there a helping method for ...
6
votes
6answers
502 views
(How much) should I focus on sight reading if my end goal is being able to play by ear on piano?
So my technical ability is ahead of my sight reading ability. And I haven't practiced my ear at all. My end goal is to eventually be able to play any song by ear and put my own variation on it. I'm ...
4
votes
3answers
230 views
Is reading bass clef by reference to the corresponding position in treble clef a bad learning method?
I've taught myself to play the piano when I was young, but I never really learned to read sheet music. Usually I would just look at a synthesia tutorial online or try to do it by ear (which I'm not ...
3
votes
2answers
195 views
How, and how long does it take to learn sight singing by yourself?
I have been playing violin for about 6 years now, and I can read music for it pretty easily. The thing is, I attribute that to me having the muscle memory related to positions on the violin, as I don'...
13
votes
6answers
4k views
How can I help a piano student who doesn't slow down to read the notes
I have a student who, when he tries, can figure out what notes he's looking at on the score at a decent pace. He couldn't sit down and sight-read something fluidly, but the foundation is there.
The ...
-1
votes
2answers
118 views
What are the solfege syllables? [duplicate]
Are they C,D,E,F,G,A or do re me fa so la to do? I have an online assignment due and my classmates say it’s CDEFGA but I’m confused.
3
votes
2answers
235 views
Vocals : How to practice accidental notes in sight singing
So I have been practicing sight singing since last 5-6 months. I think I'm able to read the notes in the scales quite easily using the solfege method (each scale somewhat resembling the Do-Re-Mi ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
Music Note Flashcards [duplicate]
Beginner looking to improve music note recognition, particularly for bass clef and tenor clef (I'm proficient in treble). Any suggestions besides just slugging my way through music?
Unlike the other ...
3
votes
3answers
162 views
Are there exercises or techniques to improve sight reading?
Short story: The question is self-explanatory
Long story:
I play the piano and I know how to read scores, and I always struggle a little bit to learn new pieces of my level because my reading is very ...
4
votes
5answers
261 views
Sight reading chords—pay attention to bass, treble, or none of the above?
I am currently a very novice piano player trying to get by with Czerny's Op. 599 Practical Exercises for Beginners. As suggested, I'm playing the exercises by sight reading the notation, minimizing ...
0
votes
2answers
192 views
Three Treble Clefs
What does it mean when there is a layout like this, and each has a treble clef. There is no bass clef. How is this played?
2
votes
6answers
457 views
How should I teach myself sight-reading?
How would I go about teaching myself how to sight read for piano, should I practice out of a sight reading book? Or should I take a piece of music with a lower grade level (such as Bach) and sight ...
3
votes
2answers
139 views
Shaped notes to standard notation
I grew up reading shaped notes and have a firm grasp on this. However, it is necessary that I become better at reading standard notation. I understand how it works since both methods are essentially ...
1
vote
3answers
143 views
How guitarist that cannot sight read work?
now, I'm learning guitar sight reading because want to prepare for being session musician ( I'm new and have no any experience for now ).
I wonder, I have heard some guitarist cannot read music sheet....
2
votes
3answers
529 views
When you look at (piano) sheet music, how do you “think about” which notes are being referred to?
Trying to learn to read sheet music on my own; the best way to phrase my question is with a quick example: "Canon in D Major". I look at the sheet and I see the scale from this:
I get the whole ...
1
vote
1answer
108 views
Help with scales - want to become a professional pianist and sight reader [duplicate]
I need help with reading piano pieces with key signatures that have sharps or flats (other than C Major or A Minor). I learnt to sight read music using intervals (but do have a very good grasp on ...
0
votes
1answer
71 views
Sight reading process for this instance
I've been terrible at sight reading for a long time, however recently I've decided to grow my skill at it. I was wondering if my approach is correct for this instance of sight reading.
So I look at ...
0
votes
3answers
265 views
What's the best technique to sight read fast big band scores?
I've recently joined a big band. I play second alto saxophone. I do well enough when playing the slower pieces. But I struggle to read the quicker swing pieces. What's the best technique to play ...
27
votes
12answers
5k views
Is it really mandatory to practise sight reading at the piano?
I have seen many questions & answers regarding practising sight reading the right way etc. But I couldn't find the answer to my question whether it is even that important to practise sight reading....
2
votes
2answers
453 views
How can I to learn sight-singing, transcribe, and sight-reading?
I'm curious what the best route would be to become proficient in sight singing & ear training, along with polishing my technique on my preferred instruments (guitar & piano). I have a broad ...
21
votes
6answers
4k views
Is it ok for a choir to learn by listening?
I'm in a high school choir and we just got a new teacher. He is adamant that we don't listen to rehearsal tracks or recordings, because "real musicians don't." Is there merit to this? Is it better to ...
2
votes
3answers
142 views
What constitutes a more effective skill development in self-teaching piano; aural skills or music notation? [closed]
I am currently a year 12 student.
As part of my research, I would love to hear some answers in which you think is better -gaining aural skills or knowing music notation- when wanting to improve your ...
1
vote
1answer
137 views
Any books similar to Mikrokosmos written by a famous composer?
I just discovered this gold nugget in piano teaching called Mikrokosmos by Bela Bartok.
Are there any other books that have progressively difficult sight-reading exercises written by a famous ...
3
votes
6answers
1k views
Sight reading piano pieces with sharp or flat key signatures using intervals
I need help with reading piano pieces with key signatures that have sharps or flats (other than C Major or A Minor). I learnt to sight read music using intervals (but do have a very good grasp on ...
9
votes
4answers
5k views
Are Piano Stickers for Keys good or bad?
Is it good to use Piano Stickers for Keys w/ Complete Printed Notes to memorize the notes on the sheet and their correspondence to piano keys? Does it work? Or is it better not to do that?
The main ...
7
votes
6answers
1k views
I can't sight-read at intermediate level
I am a Trinity grade 5 pianist and have been playing piano for 2-3 years(earlier played keyboard).
I find very difficult to sight read. I usually play the passage once very carefully and memorize it ...
3
votes
3answers
426 views
What is a good way to practice piano sight reading?
Recently I was practicing piano and my choral director walked by and tapped on the door and told me that, when he grew up, he wished he did a bit of sight reading every day when he was young. Hence my ...
1
vote
2answers
327 views
Some measures have extra whole notes in them. What do they mean? [duplicate]
So i am practicing sight reading and i came across these exercises that have extra whole notes in a measure. What do they mean and how do i play them?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How to do Jumps while sight reading
I am a total beginner at piano sight reading. I find it difficult to change chords or move from one octave to another while looking at the sheet without pressing the wrong notes. Any advice?? thanks.
4
votes
2answers
376 views
Learning notes on guitar in higher positions (instant recognition)
I have found after playing guitar for several years that I am not so good at instantly recognising most notes on the guitar higher than the 5th (or perhaps higher than the 7th) position. I often still ...
3
votes
5answers
696 views
Tips for a keyboard player learning piano
I grew up having keyboard lessons (age 8-15), and therefore have a vast number of chords memorized and can easily deal with chord changes with zero thought through memory alone.
Here is what I mean ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
How do you learn to read ahead when sight reading for piano?
I've seen some sight reading how to guide and they all touch on things like look at the key signature, don't look at your fingers, when you play the wrong note, keep going, know the rhythm, look over ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
Should I think of the note's letter designation when I sight-read?
After I know the letters for the note designations and the pitches, when I am reading them, I implement the music this way:
I see the note on the staff.
I know that is a G. I think "G" when I read ...
3
votes
6answers
587 views
Is there any evidence that suggest not looking at your hands increases ability to sight read on the piano?
I am currently learning to sight read on the piano and constantly noticing my eyes looking down at my hands instead of reading the music. Will this habit slow down my progress? I am curious if there ...
23
votes
8answers
5k views
I sight read at 20 bpm, and not getting any faster
I'm working through Berklee Press' Modern Method for Guitar 1. I start every new piece at 40 1/8th notes per minute, so 20 bpm. 40 bpm (1/4 notes per minute) is the lowest my metronome goes, so I ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
Ledger Lines vs. 8va notation
As musicians sight reading music-- are you very comfortable reading parts in ledger lines or is it more convenient having higher/lower parts notated within the staff with an 8va (or 8vb) symbol?
For ...
0
votes
1answer
191 views
How to sightread guitar in any key
Hi I just started to learn sight reading on guitar , I was started on Key C and no problem because it is easy but when I play on others keys I am confused about method or system for thinking on sharp ...
1
vote
3answers
102 views
Stick the sound of the major scale in my head
I recently began learning sight singing from Robert Ottman's book.
I've gotten to the point where you should sing simple melodies, with the biggest interval between 2 notes being a major second. The ...
