Piano Forum

New Book: Women and the Piano by Susan Tomes
Susan Tomes' latest book is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of women pianists’ history, praised for its engaging storytelling, thorough research, and insightful analysis. The book combines historical narrative with Tomes' personal insights as a performing female pianist. Read more >>

Pages: [1] Go Down

Topic: Struggling immensely trying to sight read Bach chorales (Read 1908 times)

ranjit

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1444

Struggling immensely trying to sight read Bach chorales

on: February 25, 2022, 08:43:34 AM

I've been getting very frustrated trying to get better at reading Bach chorales. I've spent over a month wrestling with them, but I simply haven't been able to get to a point where I can read them at tempo (say quarter note 60 bpm). How do you train this skill?

I've heard some people say you're supposed to use peripheral vision, if so how can that be developed? Do you just hear the chord progressions in your head better? Do you just recognize four notes a second? Probably the most I can do at this point is read one hand at a time, but even that can be hard depending on the situation.

Logged

https://www.youtube.com/@blizzardpiano

klavieronin

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 808

Re: Struggling immensely trying to sight read Bach chorales

Reply #1 on: February 25, 2022, 10:41:30 AM

You might not like the answer but there really are no shortcuts. Here’s what I suggest. Record yourself sight reading one of them. Then save that recording somewhere where you won’t lose it. Then spend some time reading them everyday for the next year. Do this with a metronome just a little bit faster than you feel comfortable with. If you mess up, don’t stop. Just keep playing where you should be, as though your life depended on finishing in time. Then, after a year, listen to your old recording and be amazed at the progress you’ve made.

Logged

brogers70

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1690

Re: Struggling immensely trying to sight read Bach chorales

Reply #2 on: February 25, 2022, 11:38:43 AM

Without offering any general opinion on Cory Hall, I'll say that his book, Sight Reading and Harmony, was very helpful to me. From each of 150 Bach Chorales, he takes a line and presents it in five graded versions, starting with two voices reduced to quarter notes and ending with the full original four voice version. I used that book to work on sight reading in general and it was very helpful. Pricey, but very helpful.

Logged

lostinidlewonder

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 7656

Re: Struggling immensely trying to sight read Bach chorales

Reply #3 on: February 25, 2022, 01:45:28 PM

Just play it slow enough that you can calculate what comes next and enjoy the sounds produced. If you use a digital piano you can put some string, choir or organ effect on so the notes do not decay. With the chorales they still make musical sense if you play them slowly, so aim for that with accuracy. Resolving which hand takes the centre voices can be tricky in places for the inexperienced just because it's written in the upper or lower stave doesn't always imply which hand takes it. Importantly ensure your fingerings are good as this makes the reading process many times easier.

Post up some scores and we can describe how to read it effectively it's better than generalised talk. You can also express which parts are easy for you and which parts cause you to stutter.

Logged

"The biggest risk in life is to take no risk at all."
www.pianovision.com

Sign-up to post reply

Pages: [1] Go Up

For more information about this topic, click search below!