Sight Reading Solutions for Pianists

                  If you have been viewing my blog, you may have noticed that I have not posted anything in a couple of weeks. Recently, several projects have taken much of my attention and I have not been able to post any writing. I apologize for this delay, but I would like to take the time to share more details about all of my sight-reading projects. About three weeks ago, I obtained Finale software on my computer so I can finally transcribe the handwritten manuscript of my first book, Interval Topography: A Guide to Sight-Reading Mastery . Using this software involved a steep learning curve in developing technical skills. After a couple of weeks, I feel much more confident with my ability to navigate the features on Finale. While transferring the manuscript on the computer, I realized I needed to make substantial changes to the text so that the directions and format of the book are clearer for the i...

            If you read my previous blog on choosing sight-reading materials, you may have realized that you need a huge quantity of sheet music to practice sight-reading. You may think that the cost of buying new music scores online or in the stores is too expensive. However, piano sheet music can be found quite cheaply or even free if you look into other places besides music stores.           Places to Find Sheet Music Inexpensively 1)       Garage sales/Yard Sales/Estate Sales           Secondhand piano music may be found in garage sales, yard sales, and estate sales. Many times a family has sheet music that no one plays anymore and is offered for sale at low prices. At one garage sale, I bought a total of five sheet music books for one dollar! On two other occasions, I bought stacks of sheet music at estate sales where the previous owners were professional musi...

                                                                        Sight Reading Survey Recently, I sent out this survey to selected pianists in an effort to gain more information and insight regarding the issues and challenges involved in piano sight reading. Once responses are submitted, I will post the answers received in future blogs. I may also choose to cover one of these questions in more depth in upcoming posts. If you would like to contribute in this survey, place your answers in the comment section below. Thank you for your support!  Stay Tuned, Robert   10 Survey Questions 1.       Were you always a good sight-reader? Did sight reading come naturally to you or was it more of a struggle? 2.     ...