Tactile keyboard familiarity

[theodore]

My sight reading skills are developing slowly with much reading of easy pieces. However, I come to a difficulty when the hands must travel in different directions or when larger skips have to be reached.

Is there any way to achieve a tactile familiarity with the piano keyboard and acquire the ability to strike a definite pitch while keeping my eyes on the score. ??

Any helpful hints would be appreciated...

Theodore

[timothy42b]

Is there any way to achieve a tactile familiarity with the piano keyboard and acquire the ability to strike a definite pitch while keeping my eyes on the score. ??



Theodore

Yes.  But you'll have to read some old threads.

Try this search term "bernhard keyboard geography" which will end up with several posts describing how to use the feel of the black keys to learn the entire keyboard. 

[rc]

I'm walking the same path Theodore - gradually, painstakingly building sightreading skills from scratch.  I've found it to be a very rewarding skill to cultivate!

The short answer is to find your way around by using the black keys...  How the groups of 2 feel vs the groups of 3, and their relation to the notes in between.

It's common to practice sightreading either for speed, or at a slower pace for accuracy.  I think if the topography is giving you troubles, it would be better to spend more time reading at a very slow pace, aiming for accuracy. 

Another idea would be to do away with time altogether, just going from note to note, focusing on the blind topography.

I also believe that practicing scales/chords/arpeggios without watching my hands has helped develop a better feel for the keyboard.