Top Tips for Sight-Reading

Hello everyone! As we get back to lessons, I wanted to share some of my best tips for sight-reading. This can be tricky, but with a good strategy, you'll be able to read any piece of music with confidence.

The 30-Second Prep Time

In an exam, you'll get 30 seconds to look over a new piece. When practising at home, you should try this as well. During this time, you should:

1. Glance over the whole piece. Take a quick look at everything, and notice any parts that stand out to you.

2. Find the time signature. Say the counting out loud or in your head. Try to "feel" the shape of the time signature. For example, 4/4 is a steady ‘square’ march, 3/4 feels like a waltz or ‘circle'’, and 6/8 is a gentle rocking motion, like you are in a boat on the ocean.

3. Check the key signature. This is super important! Think about the scale, and what hand shapes you'll need. Pay special attention to which open strings you can and can't use.

4. Look for tricky spots. Notice any fast note runs or complex rhythms. Don't get stuck on them - just get a general idea. Your main focus is on the beat and rhythm.

5. Look for the tempo. If there is a tempo marking (like Largo), take note of it. Remember, you don't need to play a fast piece at full speed. Choose a tempo that feels manageable for the most difficult part.

Playing the Music

Once you start playing, here is the order of importance to help you stay on track:

1. Keep a steady beat. This is the most important thing! Do not stop or go back if you make a mistake. Choose a steady tempo you can stick to, and just keep going. If you mess up some notes, just try to get back on track at the start of the next bar.

2. Play the rhythm. Once your beat is steady, focus on getting the rhythm right.

3. Find the melody. Now you can focus on the notes themselves. Remember, the right notes at the wrong time are still wrong! If a passage is too hard, you can simplify it—for example, just play the first note of each fast grouping, or play just one note from a tricky double stop.

4. Add details. If you've got the beat, rhythm, and notes down, now you can focus on the little things like bowings, articulations, and dynamics. These are the finishing touches that make the music beautiful.

5. Always read ahead! The most important tip of all is to look ahead as you play. This helps you anticipate what's coming next and avoid getting surprised by a difficult section.

Happy practising!