Sight Reading

Sight-reading is an essential element of musical life. It is also an acquired skill that you can learn to do very well. Learning to play your scales by memory can be half the battle. Knowing these can help you learn to handle any sight-reading that comes your way. It is also important to know the definitions of musical terms as they are also big clues to interpretation. Knowing who the composer is and what time period the music was written in can be another important clue to interpretation, so try to learn music history, some of the main composers and styles of the different time periods. When sight-reading, you should look for certain things before playing. They are:
1.Key signature
2.Time signature or meter
3.Tempo
4. Style
5. Overall Structure
a. sections with repeats or endings.
b. D.S.'s or D.C.'s
c. changes in key, meter, tempo, style
d. temporary tempo changes such as rallentando, a tempo.
6. Stylistic markings
a. accent, staccato, legato, etc.
b. articulation patterns ( slur 2 , tongue 2, etc.)
c. dynamic
d. ornamentation
7. Rhythmic patterns
8. Scale Patterns
9. Accidentals

Practice sight-reading often! After looking for the above priorities, play straight through the piece without stopping, and try to maintain a steady tempo throughout. Don't forget when you sight-read to also maintain good tone quality, intonation, rhythm, vibrato, and dynamics. Make sure you play musically!