Improve sight reading...?

Question

I can read one hand at a time np. When combing i take forever. and when i try to play short pieces i memorize them by the 2nd time i play it.. Any tips? Also is there a place where i can find some free sight reading material? Thank you!

Answer 1

I struggled with sight reading as a young Music student at University.  Although I tried really hard, my results were really disheartening, although I managed to 'pass' exams in this aspect of music making.

When I was about 33, quite suddenly, I discovered that I was as good a sight reader as anyone in the country!   What happened was that my method of reading, fundamentally different to that most other people use, had finally worked!   My reading continued to improve for some considerable time after this point!

My 'method' (this word 'method' flatters me.   I made no conscious decision to sight read 'my way', and imagined that everyone did it the way I did!) is to look at the notation, mentally 'hear' what it is like, and then play what I 'hear'.    (If I make a 'mistake', it is rarely noticeable, as I play notes 'out of place' quite often, but almost never play notes that are 'wrong'.)  

My way is very slow, but it is really good after it clicks!

Answer 2

The way to improve your sight reading is to "Just Do It". You have to become comfortable with throwing perfection out the window.

I would suggest playing through something like an old church hymnal, or solos that are within your level of sight-reading. You can also go back and "read" old pieces that you've played... as long as you're not playing them from memory.

As one of the other posters said, look through whatever you're going to play... then, play it. Keep playing without stopping... and, don't worry if you make mistakes. After you've finish playing it through, it's fine to play through the piece again... once... trying to make corrections. Now... *this is very important"... move on to another piece... or, pieces... doing the same thing.

Set aside time for sight-reading either on a daily or weekly basis. When I was in music school, I did this every Sunday. I went to the music library and checked out several solo pieces to "read". I always took them back the same day... or, on the following day.

The more you read, the better you'll become at reading, and the more enjoyable it will be to play music.

Don't forget to have fun!

Answer 3

yea, i have the same problem.

what helps me put it together though is that i practice the hands seperatly until i could play it in my sleep, and then putting them together is easy!

another thing i do is try to see how the parts fit with one another.

if you think to yourself, "well, i play this note with my right hand for 1 beat before coming in with my left hand..."

etc etc

you will understand where to play better, and playing both hands together will come much easier!