P RAC T I C E & P E R F O R M A N C E

Beginning violin methods are easily found in music libraries.. They can also be bought
in stores, of course. Remember, we are sight reading. Once you have read through a
book once, which may take only one or two weeks, you will not use it again. Buying
music to sight read can become very expensive.
When opening a beginning violin book one will probably come across something like:

Most intermediate guitarists could certainly read this first and second position
perfectly. But could you read in fifth position? Or seventh position? Your goal is to
read the notesand rhythms accurately with out a break in the rhythmic line. Nothing is
achieved, and only harm is done, by retracing of steps to correct a wrong note or other
mistake. The thread must not be broken even if it becomes snarled here and there. The
motion of thought, ears, eyes, and fingers must continue forward. Deciding whether to
stop or back up to correct a mistake will throw the sight reader into confusion,
resulting in bewilderment at all the symbols coming at him at once from all directions.
The reader must set a pace he can handle comfortably, at which the piece can be
played musically. If it is a bit slower than the known tempo, that is o.k. in the early
stages of sight reading. It is better to play Dixie at M.M.50 for a quarter note so that it

sounds like a piece of music than at the "correct" tempo of M.M.80 for a quarter note
where you might have to stop and start in a confused manner.
In reading music at sight there are five factors which are essential to keep in one's
mind:
1. The key in which a piece is written. This must be so firmly fixed in the mind that
there is no doubt as to tonality.

2. The meter in which the piece is written. This is so important that if one must choose
between perfection of notes and perfection of rhythm, there can be no doubt that the
latter should receive preference.

3. The tempo in which the piece is indicated to be played. Real understanding of the
meaning of a piece cannot be achieved without approximately correct tempo.
However, in the early stages it is peremissible to choose slow tempo to gain better
basic familiarity with the fingerboard.

4. Obedience without predisposition to what the eyes see. Many students tend to sight
read music according to what they assume the sound to be, especially when reading
music they have already heard. One must read exactly what is on the page.

5. Maintain forward motion irrespective of any errors that may be made.