Sight-reading checklist

“Would you please quickly play through this piece for me?” “Would you be able to accompany me at my clarinet exam… tomorrow?” “Is there any chance you could play for our choir rehearsal tonight?” These are just a few examples of the kind of requests that are made to pianists on a regular basis. Each scenario is different, yet they all rely on one key assumption: that the pianist will be comfortable sight-reading some music. The ability to sight-read confidently is, in fact, quite a separate skill from the ability to play the piano. One can learn to play a piece of music beautifully yet lack confidence when it comes to sight-reading. It is a skill that, like most things, only improves with practice and experience. And, as a pianist, it is invaluable skill to have. Therefore, it is important that sight-reading forms a normal part of learning and practising. When presented with a piece of music to sight-read – usually whilst preparing for a practical exam – many students are initially unsure about how to approach it. They often find it daunting, and perceive it to be the one thing they cannot prepare for, the one thing that they just have to do. However, I believe that students can prepare for any sight-reading scenario, and that they can effectively practise sight-reading – just like they would practise anything else. When faced with a piece of music to sight-read, I find that it is helpful to break the process down into a handful of simple steps and points. There are six steps to work through before playing and five general points to consider whilst playing. These six steps and five points make up my sight-reading checklist. Here it is: Six key steps to take before you play 1. Quickly scan the whole piece. 2. Look at the clefs, key signature and time signature. 3. Work out the starting notes. 4. Identify the tempo and quickly play through the rhythm in your head. 5. Identify and try out any tricky looking bars (if you have time!). 6. Count in.

Five general points to consider

• Always be aware of the pulse of the music. Keep counting and aim to play the rhythms correctly – the notes will follow.

• Follow the general melodic shape of the notes – don’t worry about each individual note.

• Don’t forget about dynamics and articulation!

• Keep going. Ignore mistakes and move on. Don’t go back to try something again.

• Begin and end confidently, whatever happens in between!

By methodically working through each simple stage, and adhering to the five general points, the feeling of being lost disappears. Sight-reading feels a lot more structured and a lot less scary. It becomes something that students can prepare for and practise, just as they would practise their normal repertoire pieces.