sightreading question

[Chris_Rossoni]

Ok, i have been taking lessons for 2 years and my sightreading is still horrible.   I can't sightread both lines at the same time.  Someone told to try to look at both staffs at the same time.  i can sightread one line almost perfectly, but when it comes to 2 lines,  i have to memorize the music instead of sightread.  can anyone give me any helpful hints or ideas of how to practice or how to look at the music.  thanks!

[MikeThePianist]

I have a couple suggestions.  First, don't be too hard on yourself.  You've got a lot of growing to do still after only two years.  But to start off with, I would recommend the following...

1)  Sightread every single day.
2)  Pick something at a difficulty below your playing level to start off with.
3) Take a metronome, and pick a very very conservative tempo.  As you progress, you will be able to sight read at faster tempi.
4) Don't stop...ever.  Continue the pulse whether you make mistakes or not.
5) Read from the bottom up.  Start from the lowest note to the highest.  Pick a tempo where you are comfortable doing this.
6) Read the notes ahead of what you are playing.  There is no point in looking at the notes you are currently playing because they have already passed.  Your eyes should always be several beats ahead of what you are playing.
7) Don't bob your head.  If you want to look down at the keyboard, just move your eyes.  By moving your head a lot, each time you look up at the music you will be in a different position and will easily lose your spot.

I hope those suggestions help.  Good luck!  :-)

[tosca1]

For daily sight-reading practice the previous reply is excellent.
Another most enjoyable way to practise sight-reading is to get together with a piano playing friend and play piano duets together. It is possible to get piano duets at all levels even where one part is much easier than the other. Shared music making can be delightful and the experience in developing listening and sight - reading skills is invaluable.

Have fun.

Robert.

[daLight]

Are there any websites with free sight reading sheet music according to level?