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

Expert musicians know what they are doing. Their experience comes from working on, maintaining, and mastering the skills in the following four quadrants of piano study. 

1. They've built a repertoire of music they can play. (Wise students review their repertoire on a regular basis. This builds their confidence to perform.) Bassist Lynn Seaton ends his practice by playing a 45 minute "jazz set" of tunes from his memorized list. He uses playing along tracks and software with the bass removed. 
2. They've learned to sight read. I've made a living as a professional sight reader for over four decades. First as a professional stage musician, now as a piano teacher.  
3. They understand theory and music history relevant to their area of concern.
4. They have developed exceptional aural skills which allow them to play what they hear. 
5. They have learned to enjoy practicing. As Wayne Gretzky remarked about his practicing. "I loved practicing every aspect of the game." Pavarotti talked about his "devotion" to practice. 

​If I can help you, call me. 

Best,

David Story 
revised 2023