Errors in Sight Reading
Sight reading can frighten players due to the uncertainty of the unknown. I tend to enjoy sight reading new shows live because of the rush of adrenaline and the uncertainty of what might happen. You should also know that I enjoy catching five foot long snakes, racing motor cycles and photographing bears close up.
To a younger performer the only opportunity one has in school to sight read is usually during a band contest where each band is expected to read new music for the first time. The amount of pressure on each player in this setting is far less than playing a show live even though the concern is similar.
Making mistakes in a sight reading environment is to be expected, even in a professional setting. What you can do to increase your odds for a better outcome can vary from your preparation before the performance as well as actions you may take during the actual program. I have listed a few preparations below which will help improve your chances for success.
Preparations before sight reading-
Read “new” material daily.
Read “new” material daily.
Read “new” material daily.
These three suggestions will greatly improve your sight reading ability. Pay close attention to the two last suggestions which are the true secrets for success.
Preparations during sight reading-
Make sure that your music is clearly visible.This is especially true for trumpet players playing shows for in most cases, the lighting is very poor. If you have a chance, bring your own stand light to the performance. I prefer using a piano light because of the added illumination and don’t forget to bring an extra bulb and extension cord.
Check out the key signature. The first thing you need to do when reading new music is to check the key signature of the piece. Be sure to check any changes in the key signature and mentally record where these changes occur.
Check the time signature. This is one spot where many younger players forget to check. Don’t be the only one in your ensemble to come in on beat four when in fact there were only three beats in a measure.
Repeat signs are very important. A friend of mine visits my studio about once a week to play duets. He is a very fine player and I enjoy doing battle with him each week. One of his many skills is sight reading and before starting any new material, he carefully looks over the page to locate any repeats; whether double bar repeats, DS, or DC repeats. He seldom makes a mistake when these repeats come up while playing. I can guarantee that you will be singled out for your excellent sight reading skills if you anticipate and successfully perform the correct repeat while all of your friends mess up.
Quickly recognize the form of the music. Whether you are playing a march with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus or an up tempo swing tune on one of the Branson stages, recognizing the form is very important. Most arrangements have some repeated or similar material throughout the composition. When you recognize these repeated sections, don’t spend a lot of time reading through them. Quickly check out the non-repeating material first and you will save time.
Be able to pick out the “hot spots” quickly. When I say hot spots, I mean the areas were most players will stumble. The most vulnerable spots are those that look darker on the page. They are usually the fastest notes which will require more ability to recognize and read in tempo. Another dark spot would be modulations. In order for a composition to change key, it requires the addition of accidentals. These accidentals will slow your reading down and for that reason, scan the page ahead of time for any modulatory sections.
Recognize unusual rhythmic patterns. When learning to sight read, you will learn that the pitch of the note is far less of a problem than recognizing and performing a rhythm which you are not familiar. Rhythm patterns will sow your eye down whereas note pitches will not, no matter how fast the notes fly by.
I strongly suggest that you take the time to read a post I did entitle, How to Mark Your Music for this is a very helpful article that you should read and practice.
The best sight readers are the musicians who are able to read ahead of the notes that are playing. Most players are reading one or two measure ahead and the very best have developed the ability to read even farther. The finest example of this is a trumpet player by the name of Dennis Schneider, professor emeritus of trumpet from Lincoln, Nebraska. During a Missouri Trumpet Festival, I watched him demonstrate his ability in a lecture on sight reading. Not only was he able to read several measures ahead, but he demonstrated to the conventioneers that he could actually read four “lines” ahead. We were all amazed at his reading skills.
In closing I have one addition piece of advice when sight reading. If you drop a note or two, let it go. Continue to concentrate on the music as before and trudge onward. There will be time later to share your thoughts about your mishaps.
Where do I find ‘Why We Make Mistakes parts 4 and 5?
Very interesting read.
Bill Dishman
Gainesville, Florida
Very good question.
I just checked and found them missing also.
Due to the fact that it is late, I will have to look into it in the morning.
We have so much material on line now, it is a constant effort to keep things available and we appreciate those who let us know when something is down.
Thanks again for your comment and by noon tomorrow, we will have it back up.