| As most professional musicians will say; no matter | | | | instrument, or work out what the sheet music is |
| how long you've been playing for there is always | | | | telling you. You can clear up the mistakes next |
| need for improvement. Most of us have | | | | time around. Once you have the song done |
| discovered this already, and we can all do with | | | | flawlessly, move to the next song. |
| some improvement in our sight-reading skills. | | | | You should start with easier music, and go |
| The goal with sight-reading is to be able to really | | | | through the entire music book. Once you've done |
| get through a piece of music without needing to | | | | that, get more music. Music training is also reflex |
| stop or start the song, and to be able to do so | | | | and memory training - once you know a song, |
| when you have just been given the song and | | | | you don't need the music anymore, and you're |
| never heard it ever before. Most musical circles - | | | | not improving your sight-reading by going through |
| especially for theater and orchestra, but also | | | | it again - you're just rehashing what you know |
| around studio and professional circles - will expect | | | | already. |
| you to read 'on demand.' You could lose or gain a | | | | Musical phrases are very much like words and |
| gig depending on how well you are able to do this. | | | | once you know the words you don't need to |
| Although those with good ears may be able to | | | | learn new words. You need to always be |
| develop strategies to get around sight-reading, | | | | practicing new material - by continuously getting |
| this is not always going to save us and isn't to our | | | | more musical phrases into your memory, you will |
| advantage either. | | | | greatly improve your ability to read music on the |
| Benefits and Reasons to Practice Sight-Reading | | | | fly when you see recognizable phrases. |
| Sight-reading improves your overall playing and | | | | When practicing sight-reading, don't look at your |
| musical skills significantly. For starters, your scale | | | | fretboard - keep your eyes on the music. This will |
| playing techniques drastically improve. Sight-reading | | | | get you used to reading instead of watching |
| also teaches you song and music dynamics, so | | | | yourself play. This also helps you to get a 'feel' for |
| you can understand both sound and feel. | | | | your instrument, making playing it very natural for |
| Sight-reading will improve your octave skills too, | | | | you, and training you to rely on your muscle |
| as well as your arpeggio techniques and your | | | | memory and not your sight when playing. |
| general theory. As you practice with a | | | | You need to consistently work on your |
| metronome, and get a feel for standard rhythms, | | | | sight-reading, just as you do your technique, |
| you will greatly improve in your timing and | | | | interpretation, rudimentals and scales. You should |
| phrasing. | | | | sometimes test yourself with an audience - they |
| Lastly, sight-reading will even help you to improve | | | | will be more critical of your ability, and will point |
| on your own songwriting, as you get used to | | | | out where you may be going wrong. If you have |
| phrasing and dynamics. All of these will help you | | | | a good ear, try and find ways to depend on the |
| pick up a piece of music quickly and on the fly, | | | | sheet music. This will actually make you a better |
| making you a better all-round musician and giving | | | | musician, with the ability to hear music through |
| you some very sought-after skills. Bettering your | | | | sight and sound, a wonderfully sought-after and |
| sight reading really just comes with practice. | | | | advantageous skill. |
| How to Practice your Sight-Reading | | | | Sight-reading has many benefits, and through |
| Practicing - like a lot of your musical skills - really | | | | consistent practice you will find that it gets easier |
| only requires about 15 minutes a day. By doing | | | | and easier, giving you the necessary skill as you |
| this, you will already see your entire outlook on | | | | work towards becoming a well rounded musician, |
| your instrument dramatically change within just a | | | | more professional and talented with your |
| few days. | | | | instrument and musical ability. Whether you play |
| Firstly you need to always play along with a | | | | guitar, piano, rhythm or lead (or even the drums) |
| metronome, and play through a piece of music | | | | it is highly recommended that you take |
| without stopping. This is important. Even if you | | | | sight-reading seriously and work it into your |
| make mistakes, keep going. This will train you to | | | | practicing schedule. |
| read without needing to stop and look at your | | | | |