Sight Reading practice

[Evante49]

I'm planning on plunging into theory soon, but to my understanding, one needs to be adequate at reading music (and relating it to guitar since that's what I play).

Besides learning the notes on the fretboard, what other practices can I do to recognize notes faster on sheet music.

Most guitar sheet music has the tab written with it too, so that wouldn't be good for me cause I know I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to look and check what I'm doing.

[luecke]

black marker out the tab and just work on trying to play the song from the regular notation... also make sure it is a song that you arent really familiar with, otherwise, you will just be playing it from memory and not really learning anything... you shouldnt expect sight reading to be an easy process. its going to take a while, so make sure you stick with it... good luck

[Caddie Gone Mad]

Do it, a lot. And it also helps a LOT if you have you have somebody who is good at it to tell you what you do wrong, like a music teacher something.

[AMP]

This may sound crazy but..

When you are reading a piece of sheet music, wether you play as you go or just read it without an instrument. SAY the notes to yourself out loud. It helps to reinforce their names and where they are on the staff.


You can do the same thing when you are playing a scale, or playing as you are reading. Say the notes out loud it reinforces the learning.

Sounds crazy yet, but it works for a lot of people.

[bills]

yeah, amp makes a good point. But, and this may be a bit advanced but good to keep in mind when you learn theory, try to read the music not just to the note names but also to numbers. what I mean is if you see middle C (the C below the staff) then D ( the D below the first line) and E ( on the first line) say the notes to yourself but also say "1,2,3". because C,D,& E are the first 3 notes of the C Major Scale. when you are first learn to read most of the stuff will be in C major. you will be able to grasp reading faster and it won't be be as frustrating. If you try to do this now, and the biggest thing is don't be to hard on yourself if it does not come quick, Trust me you will do very well with sight reading.