How to sight read piano?
Smiley asked:
I know how to read music (obviously) for several instruments and I take music theory classes! I also compose my own music! However, for piano it takes days for me to learn a song and I see piano players who sit down to an unknown piece and play it from beginning to end without having to stop or learn it line by line! How do they do that? I know you are going to say “practice” which I already do everyday for several hours, but how do you actually get your fingers to follow what your eyes are reading and keep up with it? I always have to look down at my hands then back at the notes, etc. and it is getting frustrating! Help from actual piano experienced people/pianists, please!
how to sight read music
I know how to read music (obviously) for several instruments and I take music theory classes! I also compose my own music! However, for piano it takes days for me to learn a song and I see piano players who sit down to an unknown piece and play it from beginning to end without having to stop or learn it line by line! How do they do that? I know you are going to say “practice” which I already do everyday for several hours, but how do you actually get your fingers to follow what your eyes are reading and keep up with it? I always have to look down at my hands then back at the notes, etc. and it is getting frustrating! Help from actual piano experienced people/pianists, please!
how to sight read music
What Top Musicians Know About Sight Reading Music
i know you said it, but really, the more you do it, the more you’ll get better at it. it takes on average 2-3years for a new piano player to get from the first lesson to passing grade one. it is a very difficult instrument to learn to read music for.
How to Sight Read Music
Really, there’s not much you can do besides practicing. Theory helps a lot, as does familiarity with the keys. Also, try to be thinking at least a measure ahead of what you’re actually playing. Otherwise, you won’t have time to process.
how to sight read music
Usually in an exam situation, the examiner allows you to stare at the music only or try it for 30 seconds before he/she starts to evaluate you from the beginning.
I usually stare at the music for 10 seconds or so before beginning, this is what I usually look for:
-the key (look at cadences)
-dynamic changes
-perhaps the composer
-articulation
This is my recommendation:
Get music that must be UNFAMILIAR to you that are around 2-3 levels below your current level, observe the dynamic changes and the number of sharps/flats. Then SLOWLY play through the piece. Speed means nothing if you are making a million mistakes.
This will help you to improve your sight reading skills SLOWLY .
Most people don’t just go “Oh today I’m going to work on my sight-reading.” The more pieces you learn, the better your sight reading skills, this is why some people as you call it, “can sit down to an unknown piece and play it from the beginning to end without having to stop.”And never, never, try to memorize pieces so you don’t have to read them, not if you want to improve your sight reading.
How to Sight Read Music Hub
It’s not something that can be learned. You have to just start with an extremely easy piece, sightread, and get harder and harder music.