Why can’t I sight-read music?

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Why can’t I sight-read music?

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If you’ve been playing piano for a while and you still can’t sight-read music, it could be due to several reasons:

  • you don’t practise sight-reading on a regular basis
  • you memorise the moment you learn a new piece and don’t use the score
  • you always learn pieces hands separately
  • you lack music theory knowledge
  • you lack technical skills

 

FOR MORE INFO >> 10 Habits to Avoid When Reading Music & How to Break Them

General Questions on Sight-Reading

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How far ahead should I look when sight-reading?

When sight-reading, try to look at least one beat ahead which can mean looking several notes ahead, depending on the piece. To do this effectively, learn how to read groups of notes.

 

FOR MORE INFO >> How to Look Ahead when Sight-Reading

m

Why can’t I sight-read music?

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Share
Share
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If you’ve been playing piano for a while and you still can’t sight-read music, it could be due to several reasons:

  • you don’t practise sight-reading on a regular basis
  • you memorise the moment you learn a new piece and don’t use the score
  • you always learn pieces hands separately
  • you lack music theory knowledge
  • you lack technical skills

 

FOR MORE INFO >> 10 Habits to Avoid When Reading Music & How to Break Them

m

How long does it take to learn sight-reading?

Learning to sight-read is a long process. How long it takes you to learn sight-reading will depend on how much time and effort you devote to reading music every day. If you only sight-read once a week, it’s going to take you much longer than if you sight-read every day.

 

FOR MORE INFO >> How Long Does It Take to Learn Sight-Reading

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  • Kenneth Haley says:
    12 July 2023 at 4:48 am

    I like to learn sight reading can any one help me??

    Reply
    • Emmanuelle Fonsny

    Emmanuelle Fonsny

    Emmanuelle Fonsny, or Manu, is a piano and violin teacher, composer and accompanist based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about sharing her love of music and her sight-reading and practice tips to help other pianists become more confident sight-readers.

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    In this video, I'm sight-reading Preludio Romantico by living composer Tiziano Bedetti from Italy. It's a seemingly simple piece but with constant time signature changes and ever changing patterns in the LH. To hear more of Tiziano's music, visit the following websites: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6eFqaiT7qnrMNGq0QZU6YQ?si=BzHQWd7ATLKoHegarmdwdQ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-377637997?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing To download his music, go to: https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Bedetti%2C_Tiziano https://www.free-scores.com/Download-PDF-Sheet-Music-bedetti-tiziano.htm To find out more about the composer, go to: http://www.tizianobedetti.com/english/biografia/curriculum.shtml #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    Using Concert Etude No.6 Pastoral by Kapustin as an example, I'm going to show you various ways of practising a piano piece so that you can eventually play it up to speed, no matter how fast. To learn more about my adventure with this piece, check out this blog article: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/slow-practice/ #pianopractice #kapustin ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    In this video, I'm sight-reading the first 7 pages of Dolls Dance Ballet by living composer Dmitry Yavtuhovich. Dmitry is a Belarussian composer based in the US. He studied music theory and composition at the Gomel Music College and at the Belarussian State Conservatory. He has written for string instruments, piano, choir, orchestra and chamber ensembles. His works have been performed worldwide. Some of his pieces can also be found on YouTube. To hear more of Dmitry's music, go to: https://soundcloud.com/user-691516553?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    In this video, I'm sight-reading You work on my ….s by Roberto Ventimiglia, a living composer from Italy. This piece has lots of time signature & clef changes which makes it a great sight-reading challenge! For more sight-reading challenges, see: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZxQfJOyg2ekb8g3843JSCdKnEsVjUiw0 To hear more of Roberto's work, go to: https://www.instagram.com/youcanjustcallmerob/?hl=en https://soundcloud.com/robertoventimiglia https://open.spotify.com/artist/3bLMZXJOOlqx2rFbTomIxc #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    In this video, I'm sight-reading a passacaglia by living composer Charalampos Navrozidis from Greece. Watch this video to learn what a passacaglia is and how it sounds. <br /><br />To hear more of Charalampos’ music, go to https://open.spotify.com/artist/4MyS2qTGVO762TTq41Cfeo<br /><br />#sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang #passacaglia <br /><br />~~~<br /><br />SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION<br />If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :)<br />Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB<br />Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG<br />For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES:<br />~ For beginners ~<br />* Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv<br /><br />* Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo)<br /><br />* Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff)<br /><br />~ For more advanced ~<br />*Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd <br /><br />*Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO <br /><br />* Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING:<br />iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro<br />Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen<br />Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly<br />ForScore App - https://forscore.co/<br />Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html<br />Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />CONNECT WITH ME:<br />Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/<br />Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/<br />Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    In this video, I'm sight-reading Haiku No.4 by Spanish composer Enrique Lacarcel. The haikus were written by the composer himself (I just found out!). To hear more of Enrique’s music, go to: https://soundcloud.com/enrique-lac-rcel To purchase Enrique's music, go to: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/enrique-lacrcel-sheet-music/3014419 #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
    In this video, I'm sight-reading Pregizer Boys Sonatina Op.1 by one of my email subscribers, Ralph Kolarik. He wrote this piece as a class assignment. Hope you enjoy it! #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION If you like this channel, why not buy me a coffee? :) Just go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ManuF ~~~ JOIN THE SIGHT-READING CLUB Want to fast-track your sight-reading alongside other piano players? Then check out the Sight-Reading Club here: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-reading-club ~~~ THE PIANO SIGHT READING BLOG For more sight-reading tips, advice and resources, check out the blog at https://www.pianosightreading.com.au. ~~~ RECOMMENDED SIGHT-READING RESOURCES: ~ For beginners ~ * Piano Sight-Reading: A Fresh Approach by John Kember - https://amzn.to/2R51OZv * Sight-Reading Exercises Op.45 by Arnoldo Sartorio - https://imslp.org/wiki/Sight_Reading_Exercises%2C_Op.45_(Sartorio%2C_Arnoldo) * Gradus: Progressive Piano Repertoire in 12 Volumes by Jeff Manookian - https://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus:_Progressive_Piano_Repertoire_in_12_Volumes_(Manookian%2C_Jeff) ~ For more advanced ~ *Essential Keyboard Repertoire Vol. 1-8 - https://amzn.to/3km7POd *Essential Keyboard Etudes - https://amzn.to/2Rs7CfO * Free piano sheet music (searchable by composer, difficulty, styles, title and number of sharps or flats) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/free-piano-sheet-music/ ~~~ THE GEAR I USE FOR SIGHT-READING: iPad Pro 12.9" - https://geni.us/iPad-pro Stylus Pen - https://geni.us/stylus-pen Firefly Page Turner - https://geni.us/firefly ForScore App - https://forscore.co/ Yamaha CLP-635 - https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/clavinova/clp-635/index.html Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones - https://geni.us/beyerdynamic-DT-770 ~~~ CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pianosightreading/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianosightreading/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/piano_sight_reading/ ~~~ Disclaimer: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links which means I may get a small commission if you purchase the product I recommend but at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to make videos like this every week. So thanks in advance for your support!
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