Reading before sight reading?

[mahmudfasihulazam]

I started "Improve your sight reading Level 1" by Paul Harris. Even the first two pages are proving to be pretty challenging for me. I am starting to wonder if one should memorise every line and gap on the grand staff and then practice reading simple pieces in his or her head first before starting with even "level 1" sight reading.

I am seriously confused here. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[outin]

I started "Improve your sight reading Level 1" by Paul Harris. Even the first two pages are proving to be pretty challenging for me. I am starting to wonder if one should memorise every line and gap on the grand staff and then practice reading simple pieces in his or her head first before starting with even "level 1" sight reading.

I am not quite sure I understand what you mean, but the first step would obviously be to learn the notes on the staff before trying to sight read pieces.

[chopincat]

I am starting to wonder if one should memorise every line and gap on the grand staff and then practice reading simple pieces in his or her head first before starting with even "level 1" sight reading.

Well...yeah. With the possible exception of notes past two ledger lines, you really should know what every line and space on the staff is. If you don't, then you're still in the process of learning to read.

[mahmudfasihulazam]

Well...yeah. With the possible exception of notes past two ledger lines, you really should know what every line and space on the staff is. If you don't, then you're still in the process of learning to read.

I know what the notes are but there still is a short lag before I can tell which line is which note- I guess I will have to get rid of that. Would you then recommend how I can improve my reading first? Thanks.

I am not quite sure I understand what you mean, but the first step would obviously be to learn the notes on the staff before trying to sight read pieces.

I meant if memorising the grand staff lines and spaces like this picture shows, is a prerequisite:
https://www.theoreticallycorrect.com/MusicFiction/new-grand-staff/staves/Grand-Staff-MiddleA-MiddleC.jpg

I am pretty sure I need to see the lines and spaces as keys on the piano keyboard before I should even start sight reading "level 1".

P.S.: I have to say practising to play from memory is a lot easier.

[outin]

I meant if memorising the grand staff lines and spaces like this picture shows, is a prerequisite:
https://www.theoreticallycorrect.com/MusicFiction/new-grand-staff/staves/Grand-Staff-MiddleA-MiddleC.jpg

No, I don't think so. Of course you should be able to name the notes on the staff, but in sight reading one associates the notes directly with a piano key. That should be quite automatic.

[j_menz]

I am pretty sure I need to see the lines and spaces as keys on the piano keyboard before I should even start sight reading "level 1".

Not really. The only way that association will really develop is by doing, so start reading. It may seem quite slow at first - read not, translate to where on keyboard that is (even if you have to count notes up or down from where you are or some other known point), play key. Only practice will speed it up.