Marie asked:


I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, and, although I am classically trained, I want to know how I can get my name out there as a back-up musician. I’m sure it takes a lot, and there’s probably a lot of competition, but I don’t even know where to start! Have any of you had experience as a back-up musician? As a pianist, what should I be able to do? Sight reading is my greatest musical strength, so I feel like I would be a good candidate for this kind of job. Any other information you have on the subject is appreciated.

How to Read Music for Beginners

ABRSM1 asked:

Please note that current aural rubrics were not finalised at the time of recording. The sheet music for the sight-reading test is available to view at www.abrsm.org

How to Sight Read Music

poprocks and coke asked:


It’s my dream to go to the royal academy of music in London when I leave school at 18. I’ve been playing piano for around 10 years (since I was 7) but I never seem to actually improve! My sight reading is terrible and I only play at about grade 6 or 7 standard. Obviously I know I will not get into rcm at this sort of level, but I really want to improve–I’m really passionate about this!

How to Sight Read Music

Jeffaphonic asked:

The Etude is a conceptual work that tests a pianists sense of musicianship and stage presence in an unusual way. In this performance, the pianist is completely unaware of what is going to happen and has never seen the music! The pianist only knows that he/she will be sight-reading music for a dancer who will improvise. The audience knows even less. They are completely unaware that the pianist is sight-reading material (the pianist is practicing fooling the audience into thinking he/she had practiced the music). There is no original music used, any music can be used. You might recognize Pierne’s March of the Tin Soldiers, a Kabalevsky children’s piece, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and I’m Singing in the Rain. That is only some of the music that filled out the binder of material. The hazing party (which includes the dancer and page turner) met in secret to plan out the succession of events for this performance. If you wish to perform this piece, I can hide this video upon request. The element of surprise is vital to the performance, but it can be risky. Luckily in this case, the pianist, Andie Chung had fun and has a great background in jazz, improvising, and dance accompanying. Her performance was completely spontaneous! She definitely passed the test.

sight reading music

outofcontrl asked:


is there any place i can get music with the letter name above the note or something? I way I play piano, its just easier if I know the letter since my sight reading isn’t great on piano (im a violinist). Pachelbell’s Canon in d would be great, thanks!
While we’re here, any song suggestions for a beginner? I can play things like For Elise pretty easily. thanks

How to Sight Read Music