Improving Musician’s Eye - Sight Reading & Sight Singing

Sight-reading and sight-singing can be two of the most vexing aspects of music. Even some experienced musicians will admit to having difficulties with sight-reading. Some say that certain things in music are inherent, but is there a way to improve one’s ability to sight-read?

There are certain skills upon which a musician’s ability to sight-read and sing depend.  Sight-singing requires that you can find accurate pitches, and if you’re singing with accompaniment, you need to be able to match pitch with the other instruments. Without these abilities, you’re liable to be out of tune, or even simply lost, unable to find the next note.

This is also true for players of string instruments like the violin, viola, and cello. String players need to be able to find that precise spot for each note when sight-reading, and they know it’s not just a matter of memorization, especially when different orchestras can use a variety of pitches.

A strong command of rhythm is also necessary for any musician who needs to sight-read.  You need to be in time no matter what you’re playing, and when sight-reading, it’s crucial to have that confidence that your timing is precise on every note.

How can these skills, which are necessary for sight-reading, be acquired? The answer is ear training. Through ear training, musicians can acquire the ability to identify pitches and intervals correctly, which allows sight-singing and sight-reading to be done without doubt or hesitation. Ear training also focuses on developing a musician’s familiarity with rhythms of all sorts, so those who have had it can be certain of keeping time regardless of the complexity or unfamiliarity of the piece.

Although it might seem like sight-reading and sight-singing are dependent on the musician’s eyes, a skilled ear is the real key to unlocking these tricky areas of music. The exercises that constitute ear training will develop your sense of pitch, intervals and rhythm, making it possible to sight-read with confidence.