LearnJazzPiano.com archives: SIGHTREADING AAAAAHHHHH!
zands -- 11/11/2004, 12:33:03 -- #8853
Guys,
i need some tips and practices,
on sightreading please !!

CynBad -- 11/11/2004, 15:32:17 -- #8857
I personally think sightreading is a talent.
I read music very well, being classically trained.
But I'm not a great sightreader.  It's possible to improve by practicing a lot.
Practice reading through music you don't know.  Pick a moderate tempo and force yourself to look ahead as you play.  If you can't play all the notes, play the most important ones, i.e. melody and bass.  Just keep working on it.

albetan -- 11/11/2004, 17:22:28 -- #8859
Hi Zands:
Please go to search engine (upwards) and write "sight", selecting "files".

Scot -- 11/11/2004, 18:06:56 -- #8861
Well, sight-reading is definitely a learned skill.

Some great pianists can't sight read a note, but after practicing sight reading the right way, they start picking up on it really quick.

My classical teacher spent ten minutes each lesson, in the beginning, making me read aloud the note names of the pieces I was playing, or at least parts of them.  I hated it.  Do you know how funny 'G' sounds after you've said it a hundred times?

So how do we work on sight reading these days?  Easy- pull out a book of classical music that is easy enough to sight read slowly. However, when sight reading it, don't go slowly, go as fast as the music requests.

Do Not Stop!

Don't stop for mistakes, don't stop for anything. Just barge on through no matter how bad (or good) it may sound.

THen turn the page and go on, and keep doing that.  Do it for twenty minutes a day if possible.  After you've gone through the whole book, do it again. You'll be surprised in just a couple weeks of doing this how much your sight reading improves.

SIght reading is a hand-eye-brain coordination thing. SOme people are wired to make it easier at first, but everyone can learn, I've seen it happen on many occasions.

ferceg -- 11/12/2004, 00:11:33 -- #8868
Hi Zands,

I have a pdf book (Sightreading Secrets).
I don't think it's legal, so I won't upload it here
but I can send it in email to you.
(Never used it, so I don't know if the exercises really help.)

Ole -- 11/12/2004, 02:05:53 -- #8870
Could you send it to me to? Please...

zands -- 11/12/2004, 09:41:38 -- #8881
Hiya ferceg,

That sounds really awesome !

My e-mail address is 4conway@uppingham.co.uk

zands -- 11/12/2004, 09:49:26 -- #8883
Guys,

all your e-mails have been really really helpful.
I am trying all your suggestions, and i think slowly but surely its working !!

Thanks,
so much Guys!

ferceg -- 11/12/2004, 09:51:55 -- #8885
Ok, I've just emailed it to you, Ole, please give me an email address.

zands -- 11/14/2004, 01:32:56 -- #8910
Thanks Very much Forceg and Albetan !!
really helpful PDF files !

Zands

Lord Jimbo -- 11/15/2004, 03:52:06 -- #8935
my email address is eagleeyesjimbo@hotmail.com

if you could forward me on the pdf files that would be great.
I really have to improve my sight reading drastically!

Thanks Lads

Davidov Inglamov -- 12/24/2004, 12:29:26 -- #9858
My email address is gerald_utop_youheard@hotmail.com. It would be great if you could snd me that pdf file!!

Jazz+ -- 12/24/2004, 16:12:50 -- #9864
I find that if I can see what the chrod progression of a piece is I can sight read it much easier. I can the see the harmonic clusters or chord voicings and arpeggios.

dr1keyz -- 12/25/2004, 03:38:50 -- #9871
I was wondering if you could send me the pdf as well...if so, that would be greatly appreciated. My e-mail address is: dr1keyz@comcast.net  ...

Also, what is the best way to get better at reading rhythms (syncopated and complicated rhythms), any help would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,


Kenny

albetan -- 12/25/2004, 11:06:12 -- #9872
Hi Kenny:
The best way to get better at reading rhythms is to feel them. Practise a lot over a rhythmic pattern until you feel it, no thinking, no counting.
You like sincopated and complicated rhythms. Study my file How to play Bossanova.

fingers -- 12/26/2004, 17:44:56 -- #9886
PDF over here please
attaburnsinheli@aol.com

ferceg -- 12/27/2004, 10:31:48 -- #9894
Ok, you can dl it from here (for a while)

http://s11.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0A30DGDUV3Y022Q2X60PUI1P4V

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