Lesson 6: Sight Reading Overview – Exercise 1 to 19

Welcome to our all-encompassing overview of sight-reading exercises designed to enhance your musical fluency. In this lesson, we cover exercises 1 through 12 and then jump to exercises 17 through 19.

You might be wondering about exercises 13 to 16. Here’s why they’re not included: These exercises are very similar to exercises 11 and 12, which are key to developing a particular skill set. Once you’ve mastered these, you can seamlessly move on to exercise 17. Exercises 13 to 16 will be covered in detail in a separate lesson, allowing us to focus on specific techniques that build upon what you’ve learned so far.

This lesson is designed with two types of learners in mind:

For Late Beginners:

If you’ve had some piano experience, you’ll find the demonstration speed in this video just right. It’s faster than the step-by-step pace of the next eight lessons, so you can download the sheet music here and start practicing in tempo.

For Absolute Beginners:

You’ll see how each exercise is played and learn how to count aloud. This is also your chance to hear what the exercises sound like at full speed, giving you a clear target for your practice.

Here’s your practice plan:

1. Watch and Try: Watch the video and attempt each exercise three times.
2. Sheet Music Practice: Use the sheet music to play each exercise correctly five times.
3. Consistency Check: Perform each exercise correctly three times consecutively.

After completing Step 3, you’ll be ready to progress.

‼️ A Special Note for Late Beginners ‼️

Even if you are tempted to jump ahead, I strongly recommend carefully going through each lesson. Each one is packed with useful elements that are key to your development:

1. Detailed Breakdown of Exercises: These offer step-by-step guidance to help you grasp the nuances of each exercise.
2. Valuable Practice Tips: These insights can significantly enhance your playing and learning efficiency.
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid: Being aware of these pitfalls early on can save you a lot of time and frustration.
4. Backing Tracks: Many exercises include backing tracks that are integral to the curriculum, and I want you to experience playing with these accompaniments.

I’ve designed each lesson to build upon the last, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding and experience of playing piano. So, take your time with each lesson and enjoy the journey of learning and making music!