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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    Recently, I interviewed UK pianist and YouTuber Phillip Sear about sight-reading, his YouTube channel, and more. Watch this video to see samples from the interview. To join the waitlist for the Sight-Reading Club, go to: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/membership-site/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ 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!
    Interview with Pianist & YouTuber Phillip Sear
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_UsYij-MT08w
    One of my viewers requested that I sight-read "Parallelograms" by Tom Brier. Apparently, it's one of his easier pieces. Let's see if that's the case! To watch more piano sight-reading challenges, go to: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZxQfJOyg2ekb8g3843JSCdKnEsVjUiw0 Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ 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 Challenge: Parallelograms by Tom Brier
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_lsEigz5upM4
    Do you sometimes feel frustrated that you can’t measure your sight-reading progress easily? Somehow, you can’t really tell whether you’re making any progress despite spending time each day on sight-reading? Then watch this video where I give you 7 signs that indicate that you're making progress in your sight-reading and where I show you ways to measure progress. Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:40 - Sign #1: You’re no longer counting 03:10 - Sign #2: You’re no longer decoding every note 03:36 - Sign #3: You use the right fingering 03:55 - Sign #4: Accidentals don’t scare you 04:24 - Sign #5: You can sight-read in any key 04:42 - Sign #6: You no longer get lost 04:53- Sign #7: You listen to your playing ~~~ 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!
    7 Signs that You're Making Progress in Sight-Reading
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_HkOoWarHjp4
    In this video, I'm attempting to sight-read the second movement of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata, as requested by one of my viewers. To watch more piano sight-reading challenges, go to: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZxQfJOyg2ekb8g3843JSCdKnEsVjUiw0 For sight-reading tips, exercises, drills and sight-reading excerpts, as well as live Q&As, guest interviews and a community, join the Sight-Reading Club, a new membership that will reopen soon! For more info and to sign up for the waitlist, go to: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/membership-site/ Check out the blog for sight-reading tips and resources: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ 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 Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata (2nd Movement)
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_Dui64Ru5yLw
    Are you sick of running out of music to sight-read? Wish you could reuse and still benefit from pieces you've sight-read before? Well, in this video, I show you how. For sight-reading tips, exercises, drills and sight-reading excerpts, as well as live Q&As, guest interviews and a community, join the Sight-Reading Club, a new membership that will reopen soon! For more info and to sign up for the waitlist, go to: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/membership-site/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Tip #1 01:36 - Tip #2 02:16 - Tip #3 02:44 - Tip #4 03:16 - Tip #5 03:43 - 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!
    How to Practise Sight-Reading (with the Same Pieces!)
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_fq1Pn6E4mfQ
    Want to improve your sight-reading? Then ask yourself these 5 questions AFTER sight-reading a piece. Here's what to do BEFORE sight-reading a piece: * How to Improve Your Sight-Reading Faster - https://youtu.be/OQKBfF-appk For sight-reading tips, exercises, drills and sight-reading excerpts, as well as live Q&As, guest interviews and a community, join the Sight-Reading Club, a new membership that will reopen soon! For more info and to sign up for the waitlist, go to: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/membership-site/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ 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 Improve Your Sight-Reading? Then Do This AFTER Sight-Reading a Piece
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_SG2ZBuVjTb4
    Here's me trying to sight-read a Bach fugue... with FOUR voices! This is Bach's Fugue BWV 874 in D major. For sight-reading tips, exercises, drills and sight-reading excerpts, as well as live Q&As, guest interviews and a community, join the Sight-Reading Club, a new membership that will reopen soon! For more info and to sign up for the waitlist, go to: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au/membership-site/ Read more on the blog: https://www.pianosightreading.com.au #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 ~~~ 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 a Bach Fugue with Four Voices (BWV 874)
    YouTube Video UCjv25NHN78so-V-r-wDHtjg_eLsKSmCjQ8U
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