by Betty Stone
Used with permission
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:36:09 -0600
From: Betty Stone <bfluten@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject: Re: sightreading
Hi Barbara and Listers,
This is what I teach about sight reading. If you can take 30 seconds to 2 minutes
to glance over the piece it helps a lot.
Here's what to look for:
1. time signature and tempo
2. key changes (scan down the left side of the page)
3. look for the "blackest stuff on the page" - get a general idea
of the fastest passages
4. what is the highest note?
5. go back to the beginning and get a clear idea in your head of what the first
couple bars sound like
My students and I have had a good deal of success with this approach. And
yes, playing in venues that force you to "think on your
feet" help.
Hope this helps,
Betty Stone
