| Sight reading is one of the most valuable skills | | | | As with all metronome practice, start slow and |
| that any musician should develop. At the same | | | | increase in small steps. |
| time, it is one of the least practiced skills in the | | | | My third tip is to read ahead. Think of it like |
| music world. This is probably because it is often a | | | | walking or driving a car. You don't look at the |
| tedious and frustrating task to practice. It is my | | | | ground in front of you. You look ahead several |
| hope in this article to give you some sight reading | | | | feet or several hundred feet. The same is true in |
| tips that will make your practice easier and more | | | | successful sight reading. Try to read ahead by |
| enjoyable. One last thing before I begin. The title | | | | one or two measures and you will experience a |
| of this article may be a bit misleading. I am a | | | | smoother ride. |
| guitarist and I wrote this article with guitarists in | | | | My fourth tip is to work on the rhythm first. This |
| mind, but the information in this article can | | | | is often the most difficult part of sight reading. |
| translate to any instrumentalist or even singers. | | | | However, most people think they struggle with |
| My first tip is to always keep going. When you | | | | the pitches. This is not true. Rhythmic aspects of |
| are practicing sight reading it will be extremely | | | | the music will trip up more would-be sight readers |
| tempting to stop when you mess up and review | | | | than pitches any day. In the beginning, try tapping |
| the passage that you messed up on. I urge you | | | | the rhythm on your knee before playing through |
| not to do this. The goal in sight reading is to be | | | | the piece. |
| able to play through an entire piece the first time | | | | My last tip is simply to practice and then to |
| you see it. If you are constantly stopping and | | | | practice some more. Sight reading will never come |
| starting, you are not practicing towards this end. | | | | easy. The only road to get there is the road of |
| This can be one of the most frustrating aspects | | | | consistent and focused practice. Get some music |
| of your sight reading practice but trust me, just | | | | you love. This can make practicing more |
| keep going. If you need to, slow down your | | | | enjoyable than only working with sight reading |
| tempo. Which leads to my second tip... | | | | exercises. A transcription of your favorite artist |
| Always use a metronome. This is the only way | | | | can be an invaluable tool. |
| that you can be certain you are keeping good | | | | I hope that you are able to employ some of my |
| time. Most people don't keep time as well as they | | | | sight reading tips in your musical future. It really |
| think they do. Add to this the fact that you are | | | | will put you head and shoulders above the |
| trying to decipher pitches and rhythms and you | | | | competition. I guarantee it. Good luck and |
| are bound to get off the beat. Just use a | | | | remember - focused and consistent practice! |
| metronome to help guide you in this department. | | | | |