how to practice sight reading

[fairy211]

Hello,
I am self taught and recently spoke with a piano teacher. He said any piece has sufficient technique so it is not necessary to practice etudes solely for technique.
Currently I am playing RCM grade 3 pieces at moderate speed. I play 1-2 lines with both hands together without practicing them one by one. First I look at the line and check where the highest and lowest note is then I gauge how I would place my fingers.

There is a better way to practice right? Can you explain how I should proceed?
Also, I am currently learning major scales. Is there something else that is worth studying?

[geopianoincanada]

I'd ask my teacher these questions. My teacher would know best how I should approach such things.

[00range]

This has been written about extensively, check out this thread - https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=2506.msg21686#msg21686

[psipsi8]

I think that you should take lessons with a teacher who can guide you based on your personal needs. In particular with regards to technique because if you acquire bad habits, they'll be hard to break later on.

[fairy211]

thanks for your replies. I stopped working with the teacher but the thread is helpful!

[pianos-galore]

Playing repertoire pieces can indeed build technique alongside musicality. That said, there are a few ways to improve your practice for even more efficiency and fluency.

Here’s how you might refine your practice approach:

Hands Separately First: Start by playing each hand separately. This helps you focus on each hand’s movement patterns and feel confident with the notes and rhythm individually. Practicing hands separately is especially helpful if you find any tricky spots or passages that feel uncertain.

Small Sections, Repeated Practice: Breaking the music into smaller sections (like phrases or 1-2 measures) and repeating them until they feel solid can really help. If 1-2 lines feel comfortable, consider trying just a measure or even half a measure if there’s a tricky part. Play each section slowly and clearly before gradually speeding up.

Sight and Finger Planning: Checking the highest and lowest notes is a great start! You might also try mapping out each finger in advance, particularly in areas where the hand position shifts. Visualizing your finger placement without needing to look down is a powerful habit that makes playing smoother.

Rhythm Practice: Practicing rhythms in isolation can solidify your timing. Use a metronome to keep a steady beat and start slower than the piece’s intended speed. This helps internalize rhythms and allows you to focus on clarity.

Since you’re working on major scales, consider adding triads and arpeggios. Triads in major and minor keys will reinforce your finger strength and coordination across keys, and arpeggios will help your hand fluidity and positioning.

Studying chord progressions (like I-IV-V-I in each key) can also build a solid harmonic foundation. These patterns are foundational in music and will help you understand how pieces are structured, improving both your playing and musical comprehension.
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Pianos-Galore, www.pianos-galore.com:  The Resource Site for Piano Enthusiasts

[lostinidlewonder]

Playing repertoire pieces can indeed build technique alongside musicality. That said, there are a few ways to improve your practice for even more efficiency and fluency.

Here’s how you might refine your practice approach:

Hands Separately First: Start by playing each hand separately. This helps you focus on each hand’s movement patterns and feel confident with the notes and rhythm individually. Practicing hands separately is especially helpful if you find any tricky spots or passages that feel uncertain.

Small Sections, Repeated Practice: Breaking the music into smaller sections (like phrases or 1-2 measures) and repeating them until they feel solid can really help. If 1-2 lines feel comfortable, consider trying just a measure or even half a measure if there’s a tricky part. Play each section slowly and clearly before gradually speeding up.

Sight and Finger Planning: Checking the highest and lowest notes is a great start! You might also try mapping out each finger in advance, particularly in areas where the hand position shifts. Visualizing your finger placement without needing to look down is a powerful habit that makes playing smoother.

Rhythm Practice: Practicing rhythms in isolation can solidify your timing. Use a metronome to keep a steady beat and start slower than the piece’s intended speed. This helps internalize rhythms and allows you to focus on clarity.

Since you’re working on major scales, consider adding triads and arpeggios. Triads in major and minor keys will reinforce your finger strength and coordination across keys, and arpeggios will help your hand fluidity and positioning.

Studying chord progressions (like I-IV-V-I in each key) can also build a solid harmonic foundation. These patterns are foundational in music and will help you understand how pieces are structured, improving both your playing and musical comprehension.

Thanks ChatGPT lol