Should I change the metronome tempo? [learning sight reading (level 0)]

[nickadams]

I am working through Paul Harris "Improve your Sight Reading" level 1 and it consists of a bunch of very short (4 measures) pieces. I was wondering if I should change the metronome tempo every now and then so I can get used to playing at different tempos? I wouldn't make it go really fast or anything but just enough of a change to keep me from becoming complacent in one tempo?


Also, I was wondering if there is a website with tons of free level 0-1 sheet music so I can further practice my sight reading? I read here that sight reading skills only get used on the first play-through of a piece and after that finger memory etc takes over (especially on short 4-measure pieces like in my book). So I definitely feel like it would be good for me to play other level 0-1 pieces besides the ones in my book.


Please help a newbie out!

[megadodd]

I've got no idea about any of those books I'm sorry, but something else came to mind. I have no clue however if it's any good, but I'm sure it's worth something.
Since it's really short ones your doing, 4 measures each-
You should just compose your own~

Take a big piece of paper, make it into some pieces, write a note on each paper, so you get all the notes in an octave, then fold them.
Take another paper, make a flat, sharp and a doublesharp/flat sign on these 4 parts of paper, fold them.
Then just decide; this will be in the basscleff, pull out a piece and it's a C!!
Take one from the other pile, it's going to be C flat!
Put it on the sheetpaper marked as C flat in the basscleff, perferably in the littleoctave register and the G cleff in the 1 stroke octave register. (whatever it's called in english)

And perhaps you can write chords aswell, and then on another piece make it a "block" or a "broken/arpegiated" chord.
Expand this process how far you want-

I'm guessing this will first of all make you put notes in their correct place, and tomorrow when you take your composed excercise, and you get it done. I'm sure it's gonna sound, well say. Funny.

Well, this was just a thought that came to mind in the moment of reading your post

[nickadams]

Thanks megadodd, that is an interesting idea.

Does anyone have any input on this part of my post? :

Also, I was wondering if there is a website with tons of free level 0-1 sheet music so I can further practice my sight reading? I read here that sight reading skills only get used on the first play-through of a piece and after that finger memory etc takes over (especially on short 4-measure pieces like in my book). So I definitely feel like it would be good for me to play other level 0-1 pieces besides the ones in my book.

[timothy42b]

I read here that sight reading skills only get used on the first play-through of a piece and after that finger memory etc takes over (especially on short 4-measure pieces like in my book).

I do not think that is correct.  The really good sightreaders use finger memory on the FIRST play-through.  They never have to struggle with the difficulties you face, because they have a large memory bank full of finger memories for most everything they'll see.   They only have to retrieve, while you have to create.  Huge difference. 

[nickadams]

I do not think that is correct.  The really good sightreaders use finger memory on the FIRST play-through.  They never have to struggle with the difficulties you face, because they have a large memory bank full of finger memories for most everything they'll see.   They only have to retrieve, while you have to create.  Huge difference. 

So... does that mean my sight-reading will benefit from playing the same piece multiple times?

[pianowolfi]

I think your idea to change the metronome tempo is a good one, and yes I'd encourage to play sight reading pieces several times, until you are able to grasp the melody and the rhythm and be able to play them slowly, but fluently, to some extent. Even only the feeling of understanding the melody (and not only single notes) is very rewarding and will motivate you to explore more. Whereas if you play them only once you might end up frustrated because you are not noticing your progress towards fluent reading.

[timothy42b]

So... does that mean my sight-reading will benefit from playing the same piece multiple times?

Excellent question, and an insightful leap that not many I've discussed this with have made

Yes, I think so.  It is a long way from proven, but it certainly seems to make logical sense.

However, be careful about the term sightreading.  Your sightreading for music similar to that should improve greatly, but the transfer to very different types of music (even at the same or lower difficulty level) is not going to be great. 

Unfortunately, this theory depends on accumulating learned patterns, and you'll have to have quite a lot of them if you deal with many kinds of music.

Again in theory, you would practice that simple piece you just sightread thoroughly, then drop it for a month and return and do it again. 

[nickadams]

Is it a good idea to put the metronome at a high tempo (~124 bpm for me) to force yourself to digest the notes faster?

I noticed when I would play for a while at high tempo and then move it back to my normal range (60-85 bpm) that I am able to look further ahead in the music than usual.


Thanks!

[j_menz]

I don't think it's a good idea to use a metronome at all when you're sight reading.  It's an added complication/distraction, detracts from developing an internal sense of rhythm and sets you up for failure.

If you're going to read the same piece several times (which I would recommend), you can use the metronome after the first few to smooth out any timing errors.

[nickadams]

I don't think it's a good idea to use a metronome at all when you're sight reading.  It's an added complication/distraction, detracts from developing an internal sense of rhythm and sets you up for failure.

If you're going to read the same piece several times (which I would recommend), you can use the metronome after the first few to smooth out any timing errors.

aww are you serious? How am I going to know if my tempo is staying consistent or if I am holding notes the right amount of time?

I have no sense of rhythm and I was hoping practicing with a metronome could teach me to be precise

[j_menz]

aww are you serious? How am I going to know if my tempo is staying consistent or if I am holding notes the right amount of time?

I have no sense of rhythm and I was hoping practicing with a metronome could teach me to be precise

A metronome will help you become precise.  It won't necessarily help you develop your own inner sense though.  It also won't help with the sightreading.

I suggest you sightread the first few times without it, and then play with it. You'll then learn by identifying and correcting your early timing mistakes; that way you will get better.  You can start of by only doing one metronome free sightread, and build up.  The idea is not to get the bad timing ingrained, but also to start to develop your own sense of timing.  You can try counting from the first read if that helps.

[nickadams]

A metronome will help you become precise.  It won't necessarily help you develop your own inner sense though.  It also won't help with the sightreading.

I suggest you sightread the first few times without it, and then play with it. You'll then learn by identifying and correcting your early timing mistakes; that way you will get better.  You can start of by only doing one metronome free sightread, and build up.  The idea is not to get the bad timing ingrained, but also to start to develop your own sense of timing.  You can try counting from the first read if that helps.

Okay I tried this and I noticed any time time I play without a metronome, my tempo is always off. How can I build internal timing if I have no rhythm every time I play without a metronome? I don't see how I can develop rhythm by repeatedly playing songs with my natural poor rhythm?


I am very discouraged because of how bad my tempo is sans metronome.   

[timothy42b]

I am very discouraged because of how bad my tempo is sans metronome.   

No need to be discouraged.  Keep working with the metronome.  Eventually you will internalize the external pulse.  It takes longer for some than for others.  ( and for some, it isn't necessary at all.  But for you clearly it is). 

It might help to join a marching band.   <g> 

You are right to fear that practicing bad time over and over will just help you to perfect bad time.  What is probably happening is that you are not hearing yourself play in bad time.  The metronome is your feedback. 

[nickadams]

No need to be discouraged.  Keep working with the metronome.  Eventually you will internalize the external pulse.  It takes longer for some than for others.  ( and for some, it isn't necessary at all.  But for you clearly it is). 

It might help to join a marching band.   <g> 

You are right to fear that practicing bad time over and over will just help you to perfect bad time.  What is probably happening is that you are not hearing yourself play in bad time.  The metronome is your feedback. 

Do you think it would be better to have the metronome silent but still have the light flashing with the tempo? Or is sound just as good or better than a visual tempo reminder?

[timothy42b]

Do you think it would be better to have the metronome silent but still have the light flashing with the tempo? Or is sound just as good or better than a visual tempo reminder?

You've now got me wildly speculating, way beyond any knowledge.

For me personally, the tick seems a more precise instant in time whereas the flash is more of a short time period.  I prefer the tick.  If I really time the note exactly to the tick the tick disappears. 

But for you, who knows?  Try it both ways and see.  I don't like visual with a metronome, but then I frequently play with a conductor, and that's plenty visual. 

As you get better, set the metronome for longer notes.  Example:  having trouble playing even eighth notes, set the metronome to eighth notes.  Then try it again, playing eighth notes but metronome ticking on quarter notes.  Then half, then whole.  this is very difficult at first. 

[j_menz]

Okay I tried this and I noticed any time time I play without a metronome, my tempo is always off. How can I build internal timing if I have no rhythm every time I play without a metronome? I don't see how I can develop rhythm by repeatedly playing songs with my natural poor rhythm?


I am very discouraged because of how bad my tempo is sans metronome.   

1.  Try counting - it does help.

2. Perservere a bit.  Maybe just do the first read without, then with and then alternate.

You will get better, but a sense of rhythm/timing isn't something that just happens overnight.

[nickadams]

1.  Try counting - it does help.

2. Perservere a bit.  Maybe just do the first read without, then with and then alternate.

You will get better, but a sense of rhythm/timing isn't something that just happens overnight.

what does counting mean? Like on 4 4 time calling quarter notes "one" and calling half notes "one two" and calling eighth notes "one-and"?

do I count while i play or go through the music counting the rhythm before playing?

thanks!

[j_menz]

what does counting mean? Like on 4 4 time calling quarter notes "one" and calling half notes "one two" and calling eighth notes "one-and"?

do I count while i play or go through the music counting the rhythm before playing?

Yep, that's what it means, and you should count (either out loud or in your head) while you play.