If you want to improve your piano playing skills, you need to learn how to read scores quickly, which is commonly known as sight read. Sight read is when you play a new song just by reading the sheet music. Before you can start speed reading, you need to know how to read sheet music and understand basic music theory. If you practice regularly and hone your score reading skills, you will be able to play almost any song that is put in front of you!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Practice
Step 1. Buy simple scores of songs you know
These simple scores can be nursery rhymes, compulsory songs, and simple classics. You can buy sheet music at a music store or online. Get a variety of songs so you have enough material to practice on.
- You can find simple scores from piano books for beginners.
- Simple or beginner songs include "Amazing Grace", "Ode to Joy", and "Waltz".
- Once you're able to skim simple songs, you'll be able to move on to more complex songs.
Step 2. Practice reading sheet music for 20 minutes a day
Before you can start speed reading, you need to remember where the notes are on the stave so that you can read the music without the help of other materials. Read the sheet music with the cheat sheet next to your sheet first so you can use it to read notes. Eventually, you'll be able to read scores faster, which will help when playing new music.
- On a treble tuning, the notes on the line from bottom to top are E, G, B, D, F. You can remember them using the "Every Good Boy Does Fine" mnemonic.
- In a treble tuning, the notes in the space between the lines from base to peak are F, A, C, E.
- Playing a variety of songs during practice sessions will help hone your score reading skills.
Step 3. Say notes aloud while reading scores
Eventually, you'll need to combine rhythms to play music, but these exercises can improve your note-memorization skills. Speak the notes out loud while ignoring the rhythm until you can read the scores faster.
Step 4. Download the app or visit the site to practice speed reading further
Interactive apps and games can help you hone your score reading skills. Download speed reading app and live the module. Check out programs that allow you to print scores and software that has special piano exercises.
Some of the popular apps include Sight Reading Mastery, Music Tutor, and NoteWorks
Step 5. Play the scales on the same key as the music
Find the key signature by looking to the right of the score clef you want to read quickly. Then, play the major and minor scale notes in that key. This helps you get used to the area of the piano being played.
- Look for piano books for beginners and piano learning sites to learn the 12 major scales.
- The C major scale is one of the most common scales. The notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C.
Method 2 of 3: Studying Sheet Music
Step 1. Stick to single clefs as you practice
The treble and bass clefs are the most commonly used clefs in sheet music. The position of the notes in the score differs depending on the clef. Fluency in reading scores using one clef before moving on to another.
- The treble clef looks like ?, while the bass clef looks like an apostrophe with a colon. ?
- From bottom to top, the notes on the treble clef are E, G, B, D, and F.
- From bottom to top, the bass clef notes are G, B, D, F, and A.
Step 2. Study the scores before they are played
When reading sheet music, visualize the melody and rhythm in your head. Take a few minutes and find areas that are hard to play. Difficult parts can include quick transitions or notes that you're not used to playing. Knowing when a certain beat or section is coming will help you play more smoothly. Make notes on the score before this part comes or try memorizing the flow of the song so you can prepare for the difficult parts.
You can also listen to related music to find out what the song should sound like
Step 3. Tap your feet while reading the music to understand the rhythm
Half notes, full notes, and quarter notes will give the song rhythm. Before playing a song, practice clapping or tapping to the beat. This helps you understand the rhythm of the music before trying to play it.
- For example, a full note is 4 beats long. Count to 4 and stomp your feet every time you say "one". It is during this time that the full note must be played.
- Half notes are 2 beats long. Count to 2 and stomp each time you say "one".
- A quarter note is one beat. Step foot 4 times for 4 seconds to mimic the rhythm of a quarter note played in succession.
Step 4. Lean the score in front of you and sit at the piano
If the related music is longer than 1 page, open the page so you can view both pages at the same time. Use scores that are only 2 pages long or less so you don't have to flip through the pages while playing.
Step 5. Touch the black keys in the correct hand position
If you know where the notes are on the piano without looking at your hands, speed reading will be easier to do. Guide your hands to the keys and feel the black keys. If you need to play C, D, or E, feel for groups of two black keys. If you need to play an A, B, F, or G note, feel for groups of three.
This exercise will build muscle memory so you know where to put your hands while playing
Method 3 of 3: Playing Sheets
Step 1. Play each note slowly the first time you speed read
Take the time to play each note in the sheet music. Play as freely as possible to familiarize yourself with the scores. If you feel more comfortable, you can increase your playing speed.
Step 2. Read the upcoming 2 tones when playing music
Once you know the notes, you can begin to concentrate on the rhythm. Always try to read the upcoming notes so you know them, even if some notes are missed. This is especially important if you have to turn the sheet music. As you get better at speed reading, try reading some of the notes or rhythms that will come up as you play.
You're ready to read upcoming notes when you sit comfortably in front of a new sheet of music and are able to follow the notes as you play
Step 3. Play music to the end without stopping
Ignore the notes you missed and try to get back to the beat. Continue to follow the score by eye as you play.
Step 4. Read the score and don't look at your hands
Feel the keys to make sure your hands are in the right position. Use your hearing to make sure you're playing the right notes, instead of looking at the piano keys.
It takes time to learn to keep your eyes on the sheet music, but it gets easier as your speed reading experience grows
Step 5. Ignore complex notes until you are comfortable
The slower you play, the more time you have to press each key and the more accurate your speed reading will be. On sheet music, there may be tempo markers that tell you to drastically change the rhythm. Ignore this sign until you are fluent enough in speed reading. In addition to these markers, there is also a notation above each note called articulation. You should also ignore these signs.
- Tempo markers will also often be found at the top and left of the note.
- Some examples of tempo markers include allegro (fast), presto (very fast), moderato (slightly fast), grave (slow), and lento (slow).
- The small dot above the note is called a staccato and indicates the duration of the note needs to be shortened. Here's an example of articulation.
- A slur is an articulation that looks like a curved line written over a note. When you see this articulation, it means you don't put beats or spaces between notes.
Step 6. Play another sheet of music
After you finish playing the first sheet of music, switch to another sheet and restart the speed reading process. Don't go back to playing the first song perfectly as it builds muscle memory, and not speed reading skills.
