Two questions from a newb!

[total_newb]

Hi all, I am an adult beginner, learning to play piano on my own (well, with an assortment of books and online helps like this site) and have two questions.

First, in my beginner books, if a note is sharp the sharp sign is right next to the note; however, I just noticed in the music I printed out (for something slightly more difficult) that there are sharp signs at the beginning of each line but not next to the actual notes. Does this mean that only the notes on that particular line are sharp? Like if the sharps are on the actual lines for B and D, are only Bs and Ds sharp? Or is every single note in that measure/row sharp? Is this a stupid question or what! Did I mention I'm here to learn?!

My second question is this: I heard a professional pianist (on a youtube video) say that when you sight read, it should be like reading words; that you ought to be reading ahead of where you're actually playing, you can read it so fluently. Does this apply for a beginner? She said if you're having to "decode" the notes as opposed to reading them, then you need to go back to easier pieces until your reading is up to par. Well, I "decode" everything I play! I feel like I can play a little bit above what I can read. Most of my practice time is me figuring out, over and over, what the notes are. Is this normal? Am I over-analyzing this? Is there help for me to learn to sight read more fluently, where I can actually read it ahead of where I am?

I find myself repeating under my breath a lot, "every...good...boy...does...fine!" as I'm mentally placing notes. There's gotta be an easier way...right?

Help?

Thanks for reading!

[shadowzerg]

It's great that you're teaching yourself man, I'm self taught as well! When it comes to the sharp symbols at the beginning of the piece that is telling you the key signature of the piece. If the sharps are on F and C then EVERY time you see an F or a C in the piece you will sharp it unless there is a natural sign right before the note in which you will play the white key version of it for JUST that measure.

Sight reading is no easy task for ANY beginner. You've just learned or just begun learning a new language. It's like reading a book, when you first started words were hard to decipher. Now it's most likely impossible for you to see a word without reading it. Try it lol. Sight reading will come over time with diligent practice. Yes the goal is to eventually be able to read ahead but you won't be able to do that until you see the notes on the paper as "positions" on the keyboard rather than names.

Good luck and have fun! I recommend you learn pieces based on how much you like them. Since you're self taught you'll need high inspiration so aim for learning things that you will enjoy.

[stevebob]

With respect to your first question, the sharps or flats you're seeing at the beginning of the line (as opposed to immediately to the left of individual notes) indicate key signatures.  (If you wish to know more about the topic, that's the term you want to research.)

A key signature applies to every instance of a note that it specifies as sharp or flat; a key signature with the flat sign on the line for B, for example, means that every B is to be played as B-flat in any octave in which it occurs (i.e., not just the B-flat in that specific octave).  An exception would be notated with a natural sign to the left of the note (♮); such an exception—and any note prefixed by a sharp or flat sign that isn't part of the key signature (called an "accidental")—lasts only through the end of that measure and applies only to that note at that specific pitch.  (Unlike the sharps and flats that are part of the key signature, accidentals do not apply to notes of the same name in other octaves.)

Key signatures (and their progression of increasing numbers of sharps and flats) follow a consistent pattern that's based in music theory.

What you've surmised concerning sight-reading is correct, and the goal is seamlessly converting the printed notes seen by your eyes to the motions by your fingers to the correct keys.  Sight-reading is akin to reading words in that you don't consciously identify the letters as you read; likewise, you shouldn't need consciously to identify a note by name.  I believe many beginners use flash cards to train their visual recognition of notes until it becomes automatic.

The material used for sight-reading at the piano should indeed be significantly below what one could learn to play through practice and study, so start out with the very simplest music you can find.  A couple of other important principles are to push yourself forward without stopping to correct mistakes, and always to use fresh material that you haven't seen before.

[Bob]

I think you're talking about the key signature.  It should what key the piece is in.  But for now -- Those accidentals (flats or sharps in a key signature) go for any note anywhere in the music.  Unless otherwise marked.

If they are marked differently -- with an accidental (flat, sharp, natural) then that accidental is good for that note and any more of that note to the right of just that one measure.  And only for that note on that line or space -- They don't apply to notes octaves above or below.

They follow a pattern too to name the key.
Sharps in order FCGDAEB
Flats in order (reverse of sharps) BEADGCF

You can what major key you're in -- It's a half step up from the last sharp, or it's the second to last flat.

Eventually you can just memorize them all and not think about it.



It all sounds normal.  I wouldn't worry so much about sight-reading at this point.  Maybe some drilling with flashcards of note names and finding notes quickly on the keyboard would pay off better.  For sight-reading, you need to play the piece from beginning to end without stopping, making it sound as good as you can, as much like a finished, polished performance as you can.  If you're still figuring out note names, I would drill note names more.  When you play, you really don't have to think of the letter name of a note either.  It's just a label.  But you don't want to have to think about what the label is while you're practicing or talking about the music.  It's kind of like saying talking to someone -- You can talk to them or do things with them and it's much nicer for everyone if you know their name without having to think about it.  (That really could read the wrong way.)

If you really want to sight-read though, I would take some easier, earlier piece and play through those. Maybe play through things you worked on months or a year ago.  Maybe sight-read through just one hand of a piece at a time.

[total_newb]

Awesome, these replies are all so helpful to me.

I think I was confused on "sight reading" and what the term means exactly. I was using it to refer to looking at and reading music, but I think you guys are saying it means the ability to play kind of off-the-cuff things I've never seen before, as opposed to just reading music I'm practicing.

I love the flash card idea. I'm so doing that.

And yes, key signature - that's it. I really need to brush up on some music theory, don't I? I have been using Alfred's Adult Piano course (the one that has music theory interwoven) and it's not very involved as far as the theory part goes, IMO. I think I could probably benefit from focusing on that a bit more upfront.

-the newb

[Bob]

Sight-reading is being able to play a piece of music without having practiced it before.

In reality, you can fudge a little and no one notices if it still sounds ok. 

[pianissimo123]

You ask really good questions. I liked the second one, about sight reading. Your question is
fair, because in the beginning, that's exactly what it's like. There is a certain amount of decoding that
has to take place before anything is likely to be understood. I found in the beginning, I was very frustrated with sight reading. It seemed to take forever to decode miniscule little phrases. I dreaded sight tests on exams. Something I found extremely helpful was a website called emusictheory.com. They have drills and note games, which help you to learn to dicipher notes faster, and read more fluently. I also dove into beginning collections, such as alfred, faber,and michael aaron. I play by ear, so I had to force myself to 'see' the music. I was thinking- why is this so difficult? It was so easy before!  Now it seems like it's starting to come. I'm reading right off the page. I'm beginning to get better. I'm starting to 'read ahead' and increase in fluency. Yes, this is not easy. But don't worry! It will all be worth it! Just don't give up! I'm sure you'll do fine. sorry for my rant.

[dss62467]

It really is like trying to learn a new language, isn't it?   I tell you what... I've got 9 years in front of piano music and there are still times when I have to stop and really study the note to figure out what it is.   That's on the very high ones and very low ones that are off the stanza.  I had a 25 year break between years 7 & 8, and really didn't put much effort into automatically knowing the notes, but since joining this forum, it's  become more of a priority to me.

I found some iPod/iPhone Apps for sight reading, so I play sight reading games in my down-time.  It's helping, but I still don't get scores as high as I should! 

[kookaburra]

As far as sight-reading:

I'm quite advanced, but it was not until recently that I became fluent with note names/sightreading/'knowing the notes'. Really, it's just like learning to read--for a couple years, or less if you put more effort into it (I didn't) , you'll have to 'spell it out', so to speak. And if you spell it out enough times, you'll remember it, and then one day you can read it, and suddenly you can play anything. (I don't mean sight-reading as in sitting down and playing a piece right out without practicing. I mean looking at a note on paper and automatically pressing that key on the piano, without having to figure it out.)  Like learning to read -- its really hard and sticky and then all the sudden you can do it. 

Rather sheepishly, I'll admit I never really learned my notes.... heh heh heh...(classical teachers gasp in horror)... but I got away with it because I could play the songs. (Kindof like math facts. I never did learn those either, but I do advanced math....)

[total_newb]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. I am definitely going to make flash cards to get more sight reading practice, but I will say I think learning pieces (if I can call the songs in Alfred's Level One "pieces", rofl) is helping me a lot. I'm able to name some without running through all the notes in my head now. (All Cows Eat Grass! Good Boys Do Fine Always! Your Mom Goes to College! Wait, that's not one.  )

I wish I had an iphone because I'd love that sight reading app that was mentioned. My husband just got one and I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to touch it. 

[butterfly79]

Hi,

I am an adult newbie too. My first teacher always did testing with flash cards at the beginning of every class. I found this very helpful as it allowed me to learn what areas I needed more work on for theory.
For myself I seem to have no issues remember the notes and dynamics in reading music, my biggest issue is speed and rhythm which I have been told comes with practice and time.
One way I found to remember notes was to make tests for myself at home. I find writing something continuously helps me remember. Maybe doing this could help you.
Do you do finger warm ups before playing, like using A Dozen A Day, great book (cheap too) while warming up the fingers you can call out each note while playing, this helps with remembering notes.
Are you only having issues remembering the notes or just reading all the music?

There are some people on youtube that give out lessons, this may help you too.
One thing I read before starting lessons, don't overwhelm yourself, be patient it takes time.

[total_newb]

My trouble lies in the fact that I can't instantly identify notes, but rather have to "figure it out" for each one (with a couple exceptions - the more commonly used notes near middle c). So I'm slow until I memorize what I'm doing with each piece.

I just found free online flashcards and am running through those. I'm hoping they'll help if I make it a point to do them every day, in addition to my regular piano practice sessions.