How to sight-read

I like to teach my students to sight-read by giving them new music at each lesson from early on. If they are continually exposed to new music they aren't going to feel daunted when they have to do so in an examination.

Being able to read music really is an essential part of learning to be a competent musician and something that I believe is key to being able to empower a learner to be able to learn and play anything that they choose. It also helps boost their confidence when they join an ensemble or band.

Before I continue let me make it clear that I do realize that many musicians are self taught and many play by ear, so I'm not knocking anyone, but in terms of the system and styles that I teach, it is highly important and appropriate  for learners to be able to read music.

          

So when teaching sight-reading I make sure that my students check out the following before attempting to play:

Key signature

Accidentals

Accents (including slurred and tongued notes)

Time signature

Dynamics

Tempo indications

Any tricky rhythms

If there is still time then I tell them to try to find any melodic or rhythmic patterns that are repeated and if they are allowed to, they should play the first two and last two bars.

Make sure you count a bar for nothing before you begin to set your speed and off you go. Make sure that you don't stop once you have begun. Make sure you focus more on the rhythms because your brain should naturally pick up which notes to play.