How can i get better at sight reading on piano?

Question

I've been playing piano for a year but every time i try to learn a new song, I'd have to write the letters over the notes on the sheet music.

it takes about 2 days to learn a page. But since i practice the song so much, I end up memorizing the page. So if someone were to put sheet music in front of me, I'd be very slow at reading it.

What's the best way to improve on this and get faster?

Answer 1

You have to learn how to speed read chords. Studying music theory helps a ton because you understand chord structures, progressions, etc. Apparently, you put in a lot of practice time, so you're already halfway there. Good luck!

Answer 2

Take the book you have been playing out of, and every time you memorize a page go to the next. You may not like to hear this, but the only way to get better is to practice. I have been playing for 10 years (2/3 of my life) and still need to start slowly, and practice until I get better. I know what you're talking about with the whole memorizing the music thing. I have the same problem, but I conquered it by playing songs that are too long to memorize accidentally. After 20 pages, I forget the beginning, until I sight read it again.

Answer 3

Sight read every single day.

Be sure you are sight reading music that is 1 to 2 levels lower than your current playing level. A couple of times a week sight read something that is at your level as well. But limit it to 2-4 lines of the difficult music. With the easier music sight read at least 1 piece every day.

Before you begin to sight read, take about 2 minutes and look at the score. Analyze the music. What key is it in? Any sharps or flats to remember? What is the time signature? Look for difficult pasages in the music and count them out. Set a slow tempo, then begin to play. Any mistake you make, just forget them and try to correct them if you encounter them later in the piece.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

it will take a long time before you can get really fast at reading music on the first take. i think the best way is to get some short pieces that are at your level or just under it and start playing them. don't memorize. these will be *only* for sight reading purposes. you can get some tunes that are familiar or not. start off with half page pieces and work your way up. don't write down the letters over the notes, because that will defeat the purpose of sight reading.

when you pull out the piece, spend about 5 minutes looking it over, taking notice of the key signature, any accidentals, key changes, tempo, time signature, dynamics and the such. then, if you have a metronome, set it at the tempo and start playing it. don't stop if you make any mistakes. they key thing is just to get through it.

it also helps to make flash cards with the notes on them. have the note written out as it would be on whatever clef it is on in the front and then on the back write the note name. that way, you can get better at reading notes whenever and where ever and you don't need a piano for it.

hopefully these will help you in getting better at sight reading. i know it took me a few years to get good at sight reading. it's now one of my favorite things to do. just remember to be patient. :D

Answer 5

Quit cheating by putting your notes on the sheet music and learn the notes by thier name. Then after you learn that, practice is the key. If you ever want to be a decent musician, you're going to need to put some hours into practicing. That's the only way. Best of luck to you.