13/05/2021 10 Sight-Reading Tips

HOME  ABOUT  SUBJECTS  LOCATIONS  ARTICLES  PRODUCTS  PAYMENTS TESTIMONIALS CONTACT 

10 Sight-Reading Tips
By Howard B. Richman

Ten amazing free secrets help to sight-read any sheet music notation
for piano. This free sight reading information provides self-study
tools and solutions on reading music like a professional. Sight
reading takes time to improve, as with any self-improvement Tel: (voice and text)
program, but these helpful tips will show you how to get there faster
+1-818-835-2115
than you ever believed possible! See also: read notes, reading notes,
note-reading, read music, sight-reading books.

1 Develop Your “Relative” Sense of Touch.

Acquire the skill of playing so that you don’t need to look down at “I like the tips on piano
your hands. Without looking at the keyboard, glide your hands so you sight-reading. I always
feel the two and three black keys (like Braille.) When you need a C, felt that there must be
D, or E, feel for the “2s.” When you need an F, G, A, or B, feel for the some catch in piano
“3s.” Most good sight-readers don’t need to look at their hands while reading. It cannot be that
they play and this drill teaches you how to find any note without tedious to learn! The
looking at your hands. Then you will be able to keep your eyes on the steps suggested were
music and look ahead and this will greatly speed up your sight- good.”
reading.
—Marshal,
2 Develop Your “Absolute” Sense of Touch. Selango, Malaysia

Always sit in the same place. Middle “D” is recommended because it

creates a symmetrical pattern in both directions. Sometimes you may
need to make a page turn or your hand will jump from a high position
to a low position on the keyboard. It is handy to not have to look
down to find the correct position in these cases. By always sitting the
same place at the piano, you will develop a physiological memory of
all 88 keys on the piano!

3 Practice Finger Technique Without Looking

at Your Hands.
A creative way to do this is to play your scales and arpeggios in the
dark. This will add confidence to your sense of touch. This exercise is
to further enhance tactile awareness that is developed in steps 1 and
2.

4 Learn the Four Groups of the Lines and

Spaces:

https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/articles/10-sight-reading-tips 1/3
13/05/2021 10 Sight-Reading Tips

-20% -5%

Try to learn these without the typical slogans: “Every Good Boy Does -20% -5%
Fine,” or similar phrases. If you were to attempt to read a note using
slogans, you would have to go through a 2-step process which
seriously slows-down your speed. Just memorize the groups as fast a
possible by saying them out loud frequently. Memorize the
following.

Say: “Lines in the Treble E G B D F”

Say: “Lines in the Bass G B D F A” -20%
Say: “Spaces in the Treble F A C E”
Say: “Spaces in the Bass A C E G”

Eventually, you will just memorize all the notes, but until that time
comes, literally speak through the appropriate sequence until you
reach the desired note. For example, if you want to read the third
space in the treble clef, you say “F A C.” You stop on “C” and that is
the third note. -5%

5 Practice Only the Rhythmic Information.

In a composition you are working on, ignore the correct pitches. Just
play the rhythmic infomation of the piece on any notes. Your brain
will enjoy the ability to work on just one thing.\
Sheet Music Plus
Sheet Music Plus
6 Practice Only the Pitch and Fingering
Information.
In a composition you are working on, ignore the correct rhythm. Just
play the correct pitches along with the correct fingering. Don’t try to
play in time here. This way, you can focus on just the right notes with
the right fingers. your brain will enjoy the ability narrow its focus.
Eventually, you will be able to play the right notes with the right
fingering and with the right rhythm all at the same time!

7 Play Easy Pieces up to Tempo.

Force yourself to keep going no matter what. Don’t worry about
mistakes. This helps you to look ahead.

8 Play Difficult Pieces Super Slowly.

Don’t dare make even one mistake. This helps to develop accuracy.

9 Look For Patterns in Music.

Don’t be afraid to look way ahead for a second just so you can
anticipate what will be easy or difficult. Patterns make it easy. If you
detect a pattern then you can devote your concentration to other
things.

10 Study Music Theory.

Professional sight-readers never read every note! They get a sense of
the overall chord and “fill-in” the blanks. With a solid knowledge of
music theory, this becomes natural and immediate.

https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/articles/10-sight-reading-tips 2/3
13/05/2021 10 Sight-Reading Tips

Here are Some Products That We Recommend

To Help With Your Sight-Reading
Super Sight-Reading Secrets

Slide-a-Note

Richman Music School is a subsidiary of Sound Feelings Publishing

Copyright © 1975-2021 Sound Feelings Publishing
Tel: (voice and text) +1-818-835-2115 (Pacific Standard Time)
www.richmanmusicschool.com

Credit Card Online

Payments

https://www.richmanmusicschool.com/articles/10-sight-reading-tips 3/3