Sight Reading: Essential Skills

[@BradHarrison]

Take private lessons online with me! Trumpet, brass, theory, composition & arranging, improvisation, or whatever musical/life coaching you’d like to work on. More information at www.bradharrison.ca/lessons

[@GlenSmall-n6f]

I would like to take lessons on the Piano as a beginner.

[@susancrapier]

When you think about it, the piano is crazy because you're actually accompanying yourself every time you play.

[@sungvin]

Can you elaborate a bit, I'm missing some connection, why or how is it crazy?

[@gigabyte6299]

@@sungvinright is usually playing the melody and left hand is accompanying the right hand with chords and arpeggios or even more advanced stuff

[@sungvin]

@@gigabyte6299 oh thank you, I understand now! I would definitely agree with that, it’s crazy

[@komatikvengeance8811]

Guitar is a similar instrument. 3 base and 3 treble strings ;)

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

While its possible with other instruments (I play both fiddle/violin and piano) Pianoforte is something else with that range.

[@nanthilrodriguez]

This is the best sight reading video I've watched all day.

[@usernameatusernameperiodsh2168]

Hi brad i have problems sight reading counter point. Could you make a video on it

[@BradHarrison]

Tell me more. Do you mean singing in satb parts? Or when there’s multiple lines going on like on piano?

[@usernameatusernameperiodsh2168]

@@BradHarrison yes I play piano.

[@BradHarrison]

Righto. I did talk a bit about that in this video during the “don’t get lost” section. And also in part one of this series; make sure you’re practicing reading music that’s at or only a little beyond your comfort level. If it’s too hard, you’ll get overwhelmed. Try the Sight Reading Factory to find music of appropriate difficultly. Read a ton, as slow as you need to, and you’ll get better through exposure. Also scales(discussed in this video) and theory(in the next one) will help with pattern recognition and speed up reading. Hope that helps!

[@Zoey5374]

In one course in High school in grade 11 we had to learn all 12 major scales around the circle of forths played up and down in swing eighth notes. I seen a big improvement after I learned all those scales! Then when we did all 12 mixolydian, dorian, and blues it seemed a lot easier! Now in grade 12, same course, it'll be arpegio then up the scale, repeat for each key. Also in a jazz band I'm in we were sightreading a big band arrangement of Chameleon. We all played the rhythm 'wrong', because we played it how it sounds in the recording as most of us know the song. The arrangement, however, has a slightly different rhythm. We may decide to play the original, but for now we're told to play what's written!

[@BradHarrison]

Yeah! Knowing your scales can be so freeing in so many ways. It’s a great exercise and I definitely support it. Playing a piece that you know can be a blessing and a curse! I remember playing a band arrangement of Hallelujah Chorus that mashed up the string accompaniment with the standard trumpet part(which I already knew very well). It took a lot of concentration to not get mixed up while reading.

[@audiobooksforfree7857]

When I was in beginning band back in 7th grade, I learned all 12 of my major scales. I suddenly stopped playing my notes so badly to the point I got into the best band in the school.

[@jessieliang7072]

Hi Brad, your videos are amazing. Could you make a video explaining how to play in 9/8 compound beat please? Thanks!

[@BradHarrison]

You bet! I’ve got a few I have to complete before that but it’s definitely on the way in a few months.

[@polygraphovich]

Pencil… always, yes!

[@BradHarrison]

It’s so useful. So many students don’t want to make use of it.

[@juwonnnnn]

👍

[@hutaolover6665]

where I’m from glasses means “pay attention the conductor!!!!”

[@BradHarrison]

Fair!

[@usernameatusernameperiodsh2168]

I dont like pencils they are too dim. I always use erasable 0.5 pens. They are perfect bc they are erasable and i have bad eyseight so the darker pen helps me read it better

[@BradHarrison]

Erasable really is the key. And as long as they don’t damage the paper badly(I remember using some erasable pens that were really not so great) May I also suggest a good stand light? They’re so small and powerful these days. It can really make reading easier.

[@usernameatusernameperiodsh2168]

@@BradHarrison yes its a need to get a good one. i like 0.5 because theyre small enough that they don't stab the page but aren't too big. i also like to composer on paper so having a nice pen is nice. I will think about that stand light but are they so bright that they glare in your eyes or are they dimmer.

[@BigSkyTraining]

Really helpful. Very clear explanation of concepts and plenty of practical advice.

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super tips fantastic tutorial Augustine violinist from Malaysia

[@Trombonemusic765]

NOT FIRST?

[@themelodiousland8398]

Hey can you please do a dedicated lesson on time signatures

[@BradHarrison]

Coming up! I’ve got a few others in production I have to do first but definitely in the new year. It will be in Rhythms Part 3.

[@Lo-Vi]

I can't wait for this video to drop!

[@hyperseah]

I subscribed some time ago. Your videos are straight to the point!

[@clairerabe7561]

Brad Harrison you are a lifesaver. We do music theory at school but your teaching is much better. And we love your sense of humour. Thank you!

[@mia_huxxx]

thank you! im definitely going to get a sight reading factory subscription now lol

[@LuciusLucius]

would you recommend playing scales from memory (figuring it out in your head) or have sheet music for it?

[@matteverallmusic]

Great video Brad! I wish I had learned these tips years ago

[@johanarias9988]

Always waiting for your videos!

[@BradHarrison]

So glad you're enjoying them!

[@nicollassilva1342]

👍

[@stephaniedo580]

Thanks.

[@Jose_diazlife]

thank u, so much

[@maestro2033]

Grateful to have found you today 🙏🏼

[@BradHarrison]

Me too!

[@MendozaMichelle100]

Sorry, couldn’t find links in description for scales

[@BradHarrison]

You have to become a member of my Patreon or a member of my channel to gain access to the scale syllabus. Or more information here! (I also added this link to the description). www.bradharrison.ca/scales

[@MendozaMichelle100]

@@BradHarrison ok, thanks

[@BransZ6776]

I'm always write the note when it comes to hardest part on the piece and i analyse it. So writing on the piece really help you as a beginner

[@BradHarrison]

This is a pretty common practice but I really recommend learning to do without it, because learning to read music means reading the notes rather than letter names. Write in a note name or two if you get confused or make mistakes, but try to learn to just read the notes. It doesn’t take long once you take the training wheels off. Good luck!

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

While note taking is discouraged as an substitution. Try naming minor|major|perfect|neutral intervals, as this is a bigger scope than just the frequency. And this way you can learn more about the pieces structure.

[@tociheca]

Great video! What's your opinion on takadimi method, for trumpet players ?

[@BradHarrison]

No strong feelings! There are a few ways to deal with subdivisions but I’m not sure there’s a big functional difference between 1e+a, takadimi, tiri-tiri, etc.

[@tociheca]

Thanks!

[@mia_huxxx]

could you make a video on modes please?

[@BradHarrison]

I did one a few years ago! Might do an updated version in the next year but start with this one… Musical Modes: Everything You Need To Know in 5 minutes kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHfKpnmjbM2XntE

[@lilBUD_ateIT263]

Thank you! Not only are your videos funny, they're helping me study for my upcoming theory exam!

[@MartyFeil]

Promo_SM ✅