Sight reading music

The bulk of the musical talk
User avatar
iiipopes
Utility Infielder
Utility Infielder
Posts: 8580
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am

Post by iiipopes »

It looks like we're all saying the same things, just from different perspectives.
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
User avatar
MaryAnn
Occasionally Visiting Pipsqueak
Occasionally Visiting Pipsqueak
Posts: 3217
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:58 am

Post by MaryAnn »

I saw this only once, so I'll repeat it:
When you are practicing sight reading, turn on the metronome and don't lose where you are, even if all you do is play the first note in each measure. When you are sight reading in a group, what they care about is whether you stay with them, not whether you miss a note or two. Always know where you are! When I've run into lousy sight readers, it's because they get stuck trying to get the notes right and then they lose the group.

Getting the notes right is important too, but not as important as staying with the group. For getting the notes and rhythm right, others have talked about how to do that: pattern recognition, both rhythmically and aurally, and practice, practice, practice. It can take two or three years of steady work to get to be an excellent sight reader. Don't give up when you haven't got it in two weeks.

MA
XtremeEuph
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 598
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:02 pm

Post by XtremeEuph »

Oh no just reminded me! I have sight reading on my exam on monday EEEK :shock: :!: :!:
User avatar
LoyalTubist
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 2648
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:49 pm
Location: Arcadia, CA
Contact:

How to practice sightreading...

Post by LoyalTubist »

Master rhythm. Learn the fine art of subdivision. Know the difference between dotted eighth notes followed by sixteenths and the triplet figure quarter note and eighth note (though they sound pretty much the same when you swing them). Always use a metronome.

Borrow music from the library with songs you know and play them (you will have to learn how to read treble clef for this one). Always use a metronome. Never stop to figure something out. Keep on playing with the metronome.

Get some orchestral tuba parts and play along with recordings of the works.

I have more but those will do for now.
________________________________________________________
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't blow it.
Post Reply