The low-down on sight-reading books

[steinwayguy]

I'm really interested in improving my sight-reading over the summer. I've seen Howard Richman mentioned a LOT, especially by Bernhard (practically every sight-reading post), but the amazon.com reviews say it's really bad. Could someone verify that this book is tremendously helpful, recommend any other books or show me a link to another thread on which there is a listing of books? This would help me, and a hell of a lot of other people, I believe.

Also, any tips/exercises for practicing reading ahead when sightreading? Most of the people I know who are amazing sightreaders read up to 4 bars ahead of what they're playing.

[m1469]

Is this what you are looking for?  (I truly am not sure, but it's what I've got anyway and I felt guilty not passing it on)...

Compliments of Bernhard, he he 


https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1871.msg14384.html#msg14384
(Reading notation – Richmann’s book – Cambridge word scramble example)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1976.msg15962.html#msg15962
(Sight reading – Richmann’s book)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2406.msg20820.html#msg20820
(the grand staff)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2577.msg22247.html#msg22247
(Keyboard topography – how to find notes by touch)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2713.msg23282.html#msg23282
(Teaching bass clef – the full explanation for the grand staff)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2751.msg23710.html#msg23710
(detailed explanation of the sight-reading process)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2757.msg23890.html#msg23890
(Sight reading techniques – Good post by faulty on the folly of pedagogues)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2763.msg25148.html#msg25148
(music to develop sight reading from scratch)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3205.msg28255.html#msg28255
(how not to look at the keys – Richmann’s reviews)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3334.msg29381.html#msg29381
(Reading both staffs as a single grand staff - Reasons for working on scales - Detailed discussion of Richmann’s book)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4461.msg41580.html#msg41580
(Looking at the keys: Good or bad? exercises to help finding notes by touch. Good contributions by Chang).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4506.msg42967.html#msg42967
(accompanying as a way to teach sightreading)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5090.msg48850.html#msg48850
(the score is tabs for piano)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,7466.msg74462.html#msg74462
(Sightreading – Comparison with reading – St Augustine reading skills)


m1469

[goose]

Hey, SteinwayGuy,

From your previous posts, it seems you play a whole lot of piano and I assumed you would be a kickass sightreader. This only goes to show the difference, I guess, between learning and memorising music and reading it from a score. In any case, all respect to you for identifying a hole in your pianistic armour and planning to do something about it.

I'm working through Howard Richman's book and am feeling the benefits. I agree with what Bernhard said somewhere (it's probably in m1469's links - Great job, m1469, by the way!) about those Amazon reviewers probably not trying it for themselves. It is a bit of a disappointment when you first get the book. The design is clumsy and it looks really thin. I was also initially put off by the over-hype title (like 'Build Muscles Fast!' or 'Lose weight in 10 days!') but I guess sightreading needs some hyping. 

My advice would be to buy the book (it's very cheap on Amazon) and plunge in. But keep on being honest with yourself and try all the exercises. Don't skimp because they seem too simple. Most people on this forum will have found their own ways to read, but probably will still find some apparently simple things difficult. I reckon it's worth going back to basics and (re)building a solid foundation. And Richman offers good solutions.

The only problem I'm finding is restricting the time I spend on some of the drills. He recommends only a few minutes each day, but it's easy to spend longer. 

Have fun,
Goose

[bernhard]

You can read my comments on Amazon’s reviews of Richter’s book here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3205.msg28255.html#msg28255
(how not to look at the keys – Richmann’s reviews)

There has been also mention of another book, similar to Richmann’s, apparently better structured. I haven’t read it though (I have ordered it and am waiting delivery), so I cannot comment on it:

Lorina Havill's "You Can Sight Read"

On this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,8587.0.html

Best wishes
Bernhard.

[Awakening]

Hey, SteinwayGuy,

From your previous posts, it seems you play a whole lot of piano and I assumed you would be a kickass sightreader. This only goes to show the difference, I guess, between learning and memorising music and reading it from a score. In any case, all respect to you for identifying a hole in your pianistic armour and planning to do something about it.

SteinwayGuy is only 16, and like myself, he is a student of the piano.  He isn't a professional, and it's no surprise that he wants to hone his sightreading technique.  Sightreading is one of those things that most people apparently feel they are not good enough at, because everyone would love to be able to pick up any piece and play it perfectly just by looking at the score.  Naturally, very few people can do this, so we must all work at it.  I figure practice is the best way, but then again, my sightreading abilities are quite basic.  They have improved vastly over the past year, since I have made a regular habit out of sightreading new material, but they are nowhere near where I would like them to be.