Basic Sight Reading Lessons for Piano Players

A number of persons learning to play the piano are some time turned off from learning because they are having difficulties with sight reading. Some individuals say that they have been trying for months and even years to acquire this skill but they are unable to see success.

Today I want to share some basic information with you that will help to enhance your skill in reading sheet music. However, it would be best to take a look at the phrase “sight reading” first.

Sight reading can be defined as the ability to read and performance a piece of music at the same time.

Many great piano players and composers of the 19^th century, dedicated a lot of time to learn this skill. So if you dedicate some quality time and get a great music teacher to guide you, then you will be able to develop this great skill.

Here are some simple things you can do to improve your skill in reading sheet music. I have used them with my students and they worked.

Learn to identify the keys on your piano with your fingers without looking too much at the keyboard. Use this strategy every day in your practice sessions until you are able to do it accurately.

Now try playing your scales and arpeggio without looking too much on the piano keyboard. Do this as often as possible.

Take some time to study the lines and spaces of the treble and bass staff. Then take any sheet music and touch specific notes and say the letter name of each note. Try doing this as quickly as possible. Use this approached with other sheet music from time to time. (Please do not mark your music sheet when doing this exercise.)

Study other symbols such as key signatures, time signatures, tempo marks, dynamics signs among others.

Tap or clap the rhythmic patterns of the piece so as be familiar with it. Do this for the treble and bass staff. You can use a metronome during this period.

Be confident and work closely with your music teacher during your music sessions. It would be good if you get a music teacher who is willing to be patient with you.

Make sure you outline the objectives to be met for each piano class. Practicing what you have learnt during your music sessions is also very important. But also challenge yourself with materials that you have never played before.

When practicing sight reading by yourself, you will be tempted not to follow the schedule time as planned. But it is very important that you use up all the time you have set for your practice sessions. I am sure that if you keep doing all that was discussed early consistently, you will see some improvement.

Please leave your comments! Share other important tips you have on sight reading.