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Sight-Reading Advice: 1) Rhythm

Sight-reading is difficult for many musicians because it requires both music reading skills and the ability to read at sight. To improve, musicians should practice reading exercises to develop their skills and regularly sight-read with a systematic approach of scanning the music for rhythm, pitch, and instructions before attempting to play. Even with preparation and practice, mistakes may occur but sight-readers should continue without stopping.

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Hannah Seok
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83 views1 page

Sight-Reading Advice: 1) Rhythm

Sight-reading is difficult for many musicians because it requires both music reading skills and the ability to read at sight. To improve, musicians should practice reading exercises to develop their skills and regularly sight-read with a systematic approach of scanning the music for rhythm, pitch, and instructions before attempting to play. Even with preparation and practice, mistakes may occur but sight-readers should continue without stopping.

Uploaded by

Hannah Seok
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sight-Reading Advice

Dr. George Palton

Sight-Reading: the two works that strike fear in most musicians’ hearts. First, remember that
term has two words: sight and reading. In other words you need to develop your music reading
skills before you can expect yourself to read at sight. Technical and lyrical etude books serve as a
wonderful tool to improve these skills. Having developed your reading skills, the best way to
improve at sight-reading is to simply do it regularly and to have a strategy! Scan over the music
in three simple steps:

1) Rhythm
 What note value gets the beat? (Quarter-note, Eighth-note, etc.)
 How fast is the beat?
 How many beats per measure?
 Take inventory: what types of rhythms are present?
 What do you need to subdivide?
 Lightly tap the tricky spots.
2) Pitches
 What is the key signature?
 Are there accidentals?
 What fingerings should you use?
 Lightly finger the tricky spots.
3) Instructions
 Are there dynamics?
 Are there articulations?
 Are there tempo or style instructions?
 Is there a roadmap?

Take a deep breath. Stay relaxed and play with your best sound. Once you start, do not stop.
Everyone makes mistakes when sight-reading! Dive in, keep going, and try your best!

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