Becoming a great sight reader

Why? 

Good sight readers can just play the piano. They don't need to "practice" a new piece. If the piece is too difficult to play "right" the first time, good sight reading skills greatly reduce the time needed to learn a new piece.

How?

Sight reading is an accumulative skill one builds over many years. A student can shorten this time by methodical practice each and everyday. Young students who are poor sight readers enter high school and join a instrumental music class. Through daily sight reading in class they've improved significantly by Christmas.  These new skills transfer to the piano.

Some thoughts.

1. Learn to clap and count rhythm aloud with a metronome.
2. Work on your theory. Good sight readers are well rounded musicians, they understand what they are looking at. 

The internet is full of folks selling sight reading "hacks". Hmm, my generation became good to great sight readers without any of these helpers by just doing it. You can too. 

That being said, I use the Royal Conservatory of Music books in my teaching of classical piano. A full well rounded curriculum that doesn't cut corners. 

Free resources: www.musicnotes.com. 1st page is free to view, use a tablet, and learn the first part of your favourite pop pieces. 

Best, 

David

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