Why is sight-reading so hard?

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Why is sight-reading so hard?

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Sight-reading is hard because of the number of complex tasks you have to accomplish simultaneously in real-time. When sight-reading, you have to:

  • produce the notes,
  • produce the rhythm,
  • stay in time,
  • remember the key signature,
  • coordinate the hands,
  • look ahead,
  • etc.

It is especially demanding on keyboard instruments because of having two or more lines of music to read and play.

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

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Why can’t I sight-read music?

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

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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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    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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    Suppose you’re away from your piano – maybe you’re on vacation, sitting in a waiting room or on public transport, then you might be looking for ways to practise sight-reading away from the piano. In this video, I’m going to share with you 8 ways to practise sight-reading away from the piano. Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:19 - Listen to a recording 02:12 - Test your musical knowledge 02:48 - Imagine the melody 03: 24 - Play “air piano” 03:59 - Tap the rhythm 04:50 - Identify the notes, intervals & chords 06: 04 - Sing and conduct 07:05 - Memorise bars of music ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    8 Ways to Practise Sight-Reading AWAY from the Piano
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_9CWHF_QtKSg
    Following on from the basic chords sight-reading practice, in this video, we look at four-note chords in root position, first inversion chords, second inversion chords. For more chord sight-reading drills, see these videos: * Basic CHORDS - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano) - https://youtu.be/HVXaZj5l0NA * Basic CHORDS in Major Keys with Sharps - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano) - https://youtu.be/IAPc4GbyMyk * Basic CHORDS in Major Keys with Flats - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano) - https://youtu.be/Rdk5JDmuHIo * Basic CHORDS in Major Keys with Sharps & Flats - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano) - https://youtu.be/R3SgV6hloHE For more on this topic, go to: * How to Sight-Read Piano Chords Quickly - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/sight-read-chords/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Explanation of the four-note chord drills 00:24 - Four-note chords drill 1 - Root position chords 01:24 - Four-note chords drill 2 - First inversion chords 02:21 - Four-note chords drill 3 - Second inversion chords 03:17 - Four-note chords drill 4 - Mixed chords ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    Four-Note CHORDS - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano)
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_deYO4MHLkEw
    As requested, here is Part 2 of 10 Romantic Piano Pieces by underrated and/or lesser-known composers. These are samples of the pieces to give you a taste of these 10 composers. Here are the links to the sheet music in the order they appear: * Poem by Zdenek Fibich (different version to the one I played which I found on Sheetmusicplus) - https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/9/9d/IMSLP528288-PMLP854605-POEM.pdf * Serious Dance No. 2 by York Bowen - https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/a/ac/IMSLP154949-SIBLEY1802.3379.645c-39087012834232.pdf * Piece Op. 14 No. 3 by Leopold Godowsky - https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/a/a9/IMSLP13187-Godowsky_op.14_Nr.3_Valse-Idyll.pdf * Easy piece Op. 43 No. 1 by Reinhold Gliere - https://ks.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/1/19/IMSLP10791-Gliere_-_Op.43_No.1.pdf * Tale Op 26 No. 3 by Nikolai Medtner - https://ks.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/5/56/IMSLP07077-Medtner_4tales_op26.pdf * Coracao que Sente by Ernesto Nazareth - https://ks.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/4/47/IMSLP615404-PMLP51222-en_coracao_que_sente.pdf * Arabesque Op. 6 No.4 by Genari Korganov (or Karganov) - https://ks.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/6/64/IMSLP455429-PMLP233517-KorganovOp.6-1-6Arabesques.pdf * Erinnerung Op. 24 by Dora Pejacevic - https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/b/b6/IMSLP520417-PMLP842928-Pejacevic_op.24_Erinnerung.pdf * Dumka Op. 12 No.1 by Antonin Dvorak - https://ks.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/5/5c/IMSLP95403-SIBLEY1802.14391.c5e7-39087012633675op_12.pdf * Dreaming Op. 15 No. 3 by Amy Beach - https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/b/bd/IMSLP08545-Beach_-_Op.15_-_Four_Sketches_in_Autumn.pdf To watch Part 1, go to: * 10 romantic piano pieces (intermediate) - lesser-known but beautiful - https://youtu.be/HynDg-Zkpsg Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:05 - Poem by Zdenek Fibich 01:03 - Serious Dance No. 2 by York Bowen 02:06 - Piece Op. 14 No. 3 by Leopold Godowsky 02:41 - Easy piece Op. 43 No. 1 by Reinhold Gliere 03:52 - Tale Op 26 No. 3 by Nikolai Medtner 04:44 - Coracao que Sente by Ernesto Nazareth 05:34 - Arabesque Op. 6 No.4 by Genari Korganov 06:47 - Erinnerung Op. 24 by Dora Pejacevic 07:34 - Dumka Op. 12 No.1 by Antonin Dvorak 08:24 - Dreaming Op. 15 No. 3 by Amy Beach ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    10 Romantic Piano Pieces - Part 2
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_RqXSR21sYQY
    This video contains sight-reading practice for playing intervals at the piano. There are drills for the right hand and for the left hand. The drills become increasingly faster. For more on intervals, see these videos: * How to Identify Intervals on the Staff Quickly - https://youtu.be/jKKTyBpVbMo * How to Read Intervals - Interval Identification DRILLS! - https://youtu.be/9BrXvQ9_LG8 Or this blog article: * How to Identify Intervals on the Staff Quickly (Worksheet Included) - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/how-to-identify-intervals/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Explanation 00:15 - Interval Drills Part 1 - Slow 01:49 - Interval Drills Part 2 - Moderate 03:11 - Interval Drills Part 3 - Fast ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    Intervals - Sight-Reading Practice (Piano)
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_n6ZX2iU-i-Y
    In this video, I explain the difference between sight-reading and playing. How is sight-reading related to playing? Is it one and the same? Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    Sight-Reading vs Playing - What’s the Difference?
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_Mv-_8-VHfZs
    Do you struggle with reading ahead when you sight-read music? Not sure how to overcome this? Did you know that the Read Ahead app can help you do this very thing and improve your sight-reading? Could it be that the Read Ahead app is the best sight-reading app? Watch this video for a review and tutorial on the Read Ahead app. N.B.: This is not a sponsored video. To try out the Read Ahead app, go to: https://readaheadapp.com/ For more on this topic, see this blog article: * Learn How to Read Ahead with the Read Ahead App - https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/read-ahead-app/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - What is Read Ahead? 00:56 - A look inside Read Ahead 01:10 - The different difficulty levels in Read Ahead 01:43 - The different activities of Read Ahead to improve sight-reading 06:10 - Pricing of Read Ahead 06:47 - The pros of Read Ahead 08:13 - The cons of Read Ahead 09:11 - Would I recommend Read Ahead? 9:51 - Outro ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    Is READ AHEAD the Best Sight-Reading App? - Review & Tutorial
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_XpmmENEdjEc
    Do you wish you could learn piano pieces faster? What if I told you there was one simple trick you could do? Watch this video to find out how to learn new pieces quickly. Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #sightread #sightreading #sightreadinggang ~~~ 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 ~~~ 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!
    Want to Learn Piano Pieces Faster? Do THIS!
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_FNpMc-HAm7o
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