Sightmare

[kop442000]

Hi everyone, first post to the forum!

I used to have lessons for a while when I was younger, but never really practised. In the last couple of years, I have started again, mainly learning to write my own pop ballads. I decided I wanted to start having lessons again to make myself a better player generally, as I think it will colour my songwriting.

The point is... whenever I am learning a piece, I sight read it slowly, but have a really good memory for the notes. So as soon as I have got the notes, I never look up again at the music. I know that this can't be a good thing, because if I get stuck half way, I have nothing to refer to, and also how can my sight-reading ever get any better?

I am not sure exactly what I am asking, just wondered if anyone had any comments, to keep my eyes on the page!

Many thanks,
Kop442000

[thierry13]

Do the more sightreading you can, simple as that. Whenever you like a piece, or come across a piece, read it. Same if you don't learn it. Just to develop sight reading.

[lostinidlewonder]

Target sight reading in 2 different ways.

Target Speed
Target Accuracy

To target improving your speed take EASY sheet music for you, play it at tempo, neglect rhythm, dynamics. Don't stop if you make mistakes or repeat yourself, keep going! This should make your playing maybe sound nothing like what is written, but that isnt the aim. Play just the notes, play them all at the same rate, dont play faster or slower. say to yourself KEEP GOING, dont stop. The fingers may be incorrect, but try to keep it as controlled as you can.

To target accuracy take out HARDER music or music at your standard. Play it super slow, play with 100% accuracy. Neglect rhythm, dynamics as well. Take as long as you want so long you play all the notes that need to be played together, together.

About 10 mins on each every day would be enough.

Do this for a month and you'll see yourself definatly get better.

[kop442000]

Thanks for the posts guys!

Kop442000

[Vanillawafer]

Hi everyone, first post to the forum!

I used to have lessons for a while when I was younger, but never really practised. In the last couple of years, I have started again, mainly learning to write my own pop ballads. I decided I wanted to start having lessons again to make myself a better player generally, as I think it will colour my songwriting.

The point is... whenever I am learning a piece, I sight read it slowly, but have a really good memory for the notes. So as soon as I have got the notes, I never look up again at the music. I know that this can't be a good thing, because if I get stuck half way, I have nothing to refer to, and also how can my sight-reading ever get any better?

I am not sure exactly what I am asking, just wondered if anyone had any comments, to keep my eyes on the page!

Many thanks,
Kop442000

I'm in your exact same shoes... I'm trying to get better at sight reading, but it feels like it will never come to me.  I have the most trouble keeping from looking at my hands as I change notes.   I'm currently working through Rickman's book, but I find this book kind of hard to follow too.  Urgh, I just wish it at least felt like I was getting better at sight reading.  Well good luck to you...