7 tips on improving Sight-reading of Music

Students often ask, how can they improve their sight-reading skills? This question often gets answered with an ambiguous and apathetic – “just sight-read more”. This may be true, but it will not entirely help to improve. Trying blindly to improve sight-reading skills by doing it repeatedly is definitely not going to help. Sight-reading, like many other techniques that we develop as musicians, is a skill that can be learned and continually improved upon.

Many students try to make improvements by going through arduous repetitions, playing the same sight-reading pieces over and over again. Many also do this nearing the practical exam period.

Here are the 7 tips:

1. Study the music first

Look through the piece and take note of the following

key signature/ time signature/ accidentals & rests/ dynamics/ any steps & skips

2. Choose a comfortable speed, then count slowly and accurately, and always keeping a steady rhythm

3. Keep your eyes on the score rather than on the instrument

This helps maintain a continuous reading flow, allowing you to move smoothly from one note to the next without interruption. Looking away can disrupt your reading rhythm and cause mistakes or hesitations

4. Look ahead

Always look ahead at the notes and rhythms coming upand keep the eye a beat or two ahead of the notes while playing.

5. Don’t stop and keep going

6. Practise on each piece three times only

If there are too many mistakes, find easier music. If it is successful, then go on to more challenging pieces

7. When a mistake is made, do not get frustrated. Keep the time going and get back on track. Let those wrong notes be supported by a more beautiful tone and/orgood intonation

Patience, Persistence and Regular practice are the keys to successful sightreading. And remember always practice smart!