SIGHTREADING

The goal in sight-reading a piece of music is:

1. STUDY the music quietly, identify challenging areas, sing and finger your parts without pausing, ask your section leader for help with fingerings or rhythms as needed.

2. PERFORM the music straight thru and play all of the correct notes, rhythms and expression marks the first time without rehearsal. Once you start playing you cannot stop no matter what happens! If you miss a note you must continue to play; everyone plays all of the time!

CHECKLIST

1. Look at the time meter signature and determine the value of the beat and the number of beats per measure. Is 4/4 or 3/4 or 6/8; does it change time signature during the piece?

2. Check the key signature and repeat the accidentals to yourself three times.

3. Determine the tempo based upon the composer's written instructions. Be conservative, no faster than you will be able to play the most difficult measure. The tempo is written at the beginning in Italian; watch the conductor for help. Establish a steady beat based on tempo and meter. Do not stop, rush or drag. It is better to miss a note and keep the tempo. Use a metronome!

4. Glance through the music observing the various rhythmic subdivisions of the beat. Mentally establish all the subdivisions needed, in the tempo you have determined. Are there any difficult fingering patterns you can silently practice? Can you sing and finger your part without pausing?

5. Play all dynamics one dynamic marking larger. This will sound big and confident. Look for dynamic changes and plan to exaggerate them. Look for phrasing and breath marks.

6. Try to identify patterns and intervals: scales, octaves, arpeggios, and intervals. As you play, try to hear the pitches as if you were singing.

Mentally go through the sight-reading checklist before you read each new piece. With a little practice, you will be able to go through it quickly and sight-reading will become easier and more fun. The more sight-reading you do the better you will get at it!