Sight-reading

[meli]

I wonder if looking too much at the notes while playing inhibits expression - does this mean its better to memorize it? I really am fond of sight-reading, but just wondering why I can capture the mood of the music ( a few slips though)  on my 1st attempt, and later it sounds more like an MIDI recording? Its suddenly played with amazing accuracy (after much repeats) but to my surprise, sounds completely mechanical. This happens with most simpler pieces which are slow and romantic.  I would like to try memorizing, but the process is so long and tedious, for this reason I am ashamed that sometimes during practice, I actually am sight-reading instead of working on the piece. For students who are good sight-readers, is it better to 'take their eyes off the music' once in a while, or make them memorize more and not focus too much on the score while attempting to perfect it? Its strange but I realize the more I perfect the piece, and concentrate on the notes, the mood or music is somehow lost?

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Have a variety of pieces. The mood of the piece is not lost, just that you are used to it and it may seem mechanical. Have a variety of pieces so that you can work on those that need more work and then return to the ones you have learned. That is why memorizing is important, so that you can play the work in the future to repeat the techniques and it becomes your repertoire. So yes try to memorize the work. Practice sight reading of course as well. You have to have a variety of pieces to play to not just play one and because of overplaying it playing it mechanical. So no it is not mechanical, just needs a different piece to also learn. Hope this helps.