Music Sight Reading for Piano: Principles and Basic Techniques

Abstract

Piano practice typically requires players to read piano notes. Especially in classical piano practice, where composers or writers specify dynamics, articulations, and various techniques that performers should reflect and express emotions as closely as possible to the composer's or writer's intentions. Therefore, classical pianists need to practice and rehearse pieces by reading notes. Reading piano notation is akin to reading a book, using musical notes as symbols to represent written words. Players must memorize the various symbols that represent pitch levels, as well as the markings that appear in the sheet music, to perform those pieces correctly. Additionally, being able to read music at sight (Sight Reading) fluently will lead to faster and more accurate performance of pieces. Thus, in this article, the author aims to present methods for practicing basic sight reading for piano, based on the collection of various related documents and the author's direct experience, so that those interested in practicing sight reading for piano can use it as a guideline for their practice. When one can read music at sight proficiently, it will result in a quicker performance of pieces.