Is there an application that helps practicing note reading?

[klik11]

??

[pianowolfi]

Yes. It usually sits between two ears and looks a bit like the core of a walnut, just bigger.  

[ahinton]

Yes. It usually sits between two ears and looks a bit like the core of a walnut, just bigger 

And its name is not EasyKey.

Best,

Alistair

[naumdar]

When I studied music in college they had us use a program called MacGamut or something similar and if I recall correctly it was more for pitch training but I think it might help.

Sibelius might have some functionality that might be useful. It is basically notation software but I'm sure it can be used in some way to help quiz you and play along.

My sister in law is just starting to learn how to play and read music so I actually would be interested in knowing if there is anything that would help.

Honestly, Alfred's level 1 book is probably all you really need

[ahinton]

Honestly, Alfred's level 1 book is probably all you really need

Or, better still, that inflated walnut core-like object which pianowolfi mentioned...

Best,

Alistair

[naumdar]

Just trying to be helpful.

[quantum]

Ensemble playing.  Practice sight reading by playing chamber music or accompanying singers.  

Find a vocal teacher, ask to volunteer to sight read the piano part for their students during lessons.

Pick up a hymn book or open score choral pieces and play them at the piano.  Grab some of this stuff from garage sales or used book stores.  $5 spent on such music will benefit you much more than gimmicky apps.  

The walnut shaped thing will help you a lot.  It is capable of more than you think.

[mike_lang]

I would just practice playing from the score, as well as from memory.  We sometimes get into this in-between state in which we are using the score as a blueprint, but not really reading it.  In my opinion, each of these three states has its place, but we should be very aware of when we are actively reading the music in front of us and when we are not.

I think doing this with music you are currently playing is the most organic way to learn to read music, although you can strengthen it by sight reading unfamiliar pieces.

I've always been fairly good at sight-reading, and one (actually, several) of my teachers attributed it to a laser-like focus between my eyes and the page; incidentally, he told me I would need to start learning to sight read in a more "relaxed" state.  Nevertheless, I think that what I described is one stage we pass through in working toward obtaining fluency.  (Of course, there are always more clefs to learn, and more lines to add.)

In short, make sure you are actually reading the music that you are practicing, if the score is on the stand :-)

Cheers,
Mike