new to practice

[hawkranger]

hey guys how is every one doing?
i got a little question
i've been playing for few years but with no proper study or practice
but now i decided to start and i started with Czerny 110 easy and progressive excesses
i know how to read notes but it take like 10 min to read a simple line so am terrible at sight reading
so is it better for me to memorize then play or try even if it took me like 1 hour to finish the first exercise and with really low speed
what do you think??
thanx in advance
have a great time

[pianowolfi]

I recommend you to practise sightreading separately, for it takes your full attention. You might for instance practice pieces for 30 min. and then sightreading for 30 min. While sightreading make sure to look mainly at the notes, not at the keyboard. Avoid switching your view all the time, wich is a very common mistake among beginners. And learn the places of all the notes on the staff by heart. Good sightreaders link the notes directly with their respective key, without counting from an other note or reading from one note to the other in a relative manner. 

[hawkranger]

well thanx for the quick replay that was quite helpful
and if you don't mind asking
do you have any suggestions about sight reading exercises? that would be really helpful if there is a book or something that has sight reading in steps that woould be really helpful if you suggested one for me
thanx again

[pianowolfi]

You may take any piano book or sheet music. But it's important that the pieces are not too hard. For sight reading it's even helpful to start pieces that are way below your technical level. Strive for being able to play them slowly, but fluently! This is very important. Sightreading is only fun if you are really able to play, not just decipher. So it could be any beginner book, or grade 1 pieces collection. Better it's way too easy than too hard.

[hawkranger]

i see
well thanks a lot i'll try that
thanx for the replay again

[sitbon09]

Thanks for your post.  Firstly, practicing should enjoyable.  If your having trouble sightreading then you need to find pieces which are just below your level to become skilled.  If your forced to go very slow then obviously the piece is too advanced.  You will only get better at sightreading the more you do it, but at the right level.  There is no point trying to sightread something well beyond you.  It will only frustrate you and be a waste of precious practice time.

As I've posted elsewhere you need to clarify in your mind what you want from your practice session.  I suggest practicing in 20 min sessions focusing on a few bars, firstly hands separate, then together with a focus on accuracy.   Many hours are wasted because its not clear on what needs to be accomplished by the end of a practice session.  If you memorise something it should be the result of understanding the music and what your doing. 

I'd also check out Burgmuller Op.100 depending upon what grade your at.  Czerny can be a little dry...

Andrew