Mastering Sight Reading: How Musicians Can Play New Music Instantly

When it comes to a new piece of music, how can musicians read music so fast and play the notes with their instrument, let alone when I can't even figure out what notes they are? Playing new music instantly is not an unattainable skill but a result of consistent practice and patience.

First of all, it is important to understand that not all musicians can read music and play it at tempo. While some musicians are naturally skilled in this area, others might struggle with it. However, for certain musical jobs, such as accompanist, the ability to sight read music is a survival skill. If you're hired to play an accompaniment piece for a soloist and the music is unfamiliar to you, it's crucial to be able to produce music right away. Imagine the frustration of a soloist sitting and twiddling their thumbs while you laboriously work out each note. The next time they will surely hire someone who can play the music at first sight.

So, how do people achieve this seemingly magical skill? The answer lies in the same principle as an ice skater learning to perform a triple axel. They don't start with the complex moves right away but rather build up to them gradually through simpler exercises. Similarly, musicians start by reading very simple music and then read through reams of it over time. There are big thick sight reading books specifically designed for this purpose, and people spend 10-15 minutes a day on them, day in and day out. As you progress, the books incorporate increasingly more complex and less predictable material.

Every day, you'll encounter more challenging material, and then one day, you'll find that a typical pop chart seems very easy by comparison. It may seem amazing to those who can't do it, but it is achievable with the right discipline and time investment. Anyone can learn to sight read music if they put in the necessary effort.

So, how do you get better at sight reading? The key is practice, practice, and more practice. Think about how fast you read this text. Even if English is your first language, you can likely read this faster than I typed it. Musicians improve their sight reading skills by reading music more and more. You can take an instrument and any literature you can get your hands on and immerse yourself in the process of reading music. If you encounter advanced rhythms, complex notation, or techniques on your instrument that you don't know, a teacher can help you improve these skills.

In conclusion, sight reading is a skill that can be mastered with time and consistent effort. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, the process of reading and sight reading music steadily becomes easier and more automatic. So if you're looking to improve your sight reading skills, pick up a book, find a teacher, and put in the time every day. Soon enough, you'll be able to play any new music with confidence and ease.