How to Improve at Sight Reading

Sight reading is a skill like any other that takes time, forethought, and effective practice in order to develop further. Despite its relevance to musicians, many don't feel comfortable sight reading. Improving your sight reading isn’t impossible though, and can in fact be grown with a little deliberation and some daily practice.

Key Takeaways

• Develop a strategy
• A little everyday
• Notice your tendencies

 

Strategy for Success

Developing a strategy is one step in upping your sight reading capabilities. Start with noticing basic components of the piece in front of you, such as the time and key signatures. Take a look at any exceptions to the rules, such as naturals and other accidentals. Identify any rhythmic components you feel might trip you up.

After you have laid the groundwork for the piece, take a look at any dynamics and articulations. Notice any crescendos or decrescendos? What about legato versus staccato? Try to imagine how you will approach these sections.

Everyday Exercises

The best way to cultivate any skill is to use it. Now that you have a strategy in place, applying it to a new exercise will allow you to gather feedback on how effective it is. Try to get into the habit of playing a piece you haven’t touched once everyday. If a whole piece is intimidating, start with just a few measures.

Playing exercises daily is a great way to explore different music as well. Challenge yourself with new styles of music, or even a favorite song. You’ll likely find articulations, rhythms, and other musical ornamentations you haven’t encountered before!

Grow From Your Mistakes

After you have spent some time applying your strategy to your daily exercises, try to notice if there are any patterns regarding things you routinely mess up or miss. Is this mistake something you can solve by implementing it into your sight reading strategy? Or is it related to another skill you can spend some time working on? Identifying your personal trouble areas will not only improve your sight reading skills - it will lead to progress in your other musical skills.

Bottom Line

The more you sight read the better you’ll become at it. Creating a strategy will move you along that path at a faster rate, and tweaking the strategy to fit your needs is key.

Happy Practicing!

 

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