This second part in a series entitled, “Sight-Reading Secrets for Instrumental Musicians“, offers even more practical advice for conquering the art of reading music fluently.
5. Do More Of It
Set aside time in your daily practice to read down some previously unseen literature. Just five minutes a day will make a big improvement in your ability to successfully navigate new music. Extend yourself by searching for tricky literature. You can branch out into more difficult key signatures/rhythms as you are ready. Progress develops slowly at first but then increases exponentially once that initial “wall” has been overcome.
6. Conquer Rhythms
Analyze rhythms by counting them slowly before attempting to play. Break down each phrase note by note. With a little daily focus, rhythms become memorable. Then, as a result, variations of common rhythms start to become more quickly apparent.
7. Slow It Down!
The ability to sight-read fluently is sometimes flummoxed by a natural tendency to slow down on more difficult passages then rush through the easy ones. Practicing with a metronome will control this urge. Remember to choose a slow tempo and work licks up incrementally to that smoking hot groove.
8. Extend Your Vocabulary
Seek out recordings encompassing a variety artists and genres. Each has a unique flavor to offer a musician’s developing taste buds. It’s not all going to be great stuff that will be inspiring, but listen with an open ear. Try to uncover what those different genres might have in common. The grooves, licks, themes and patterns that you can piece together represent the language of music. To identify these commonalities is to acknowledge and understand a basic music vocabulary. Pandora and Spotify are my personal two favorite tools for music discovery. Both are computer/tablet/smartphone apps that have features designed to enhance the ability to explore new tunes as well as listen to favorites. In addition, both offer free (ad supported) versions.