The very thought of sight-reading, especially in examinations, makes most young players groan. But now more than ever, the ability to sight-read fluently is an essential part of the pianist's training, whether playing alone, as an accompanist or with an ensemble.
Improve your sight-reading! is an invaluable resource for students preparing for Associated Board exams, this series of workbooks is designed to help overcome sight-reading problems through exercises and studies. Each book contains over 60 practice tests.
Step by step it helps the player to build up a complete picture of each piece, first through rhythmic and melodic exercises related to specific problems, then by the study of a prepared piece with associated questions for the student to answer, and so finally to the real, unprepared sight-reading test itself. Mark-boxes for each stage allow both teacher and pupil to keep a check on progress.
It's really not so difficult after all! If you become a good sight-reader you will be able to learn pieces more quickly, accompany your friends, play piano duets and chamber music, all with confidence and assurance. Also, in grade examinations, good performance in the sight-reading test will result in useful extra marks!
Malaysia
