How can I improve my violin sight-reading skills?
I am an intermediate / advanced violinist that has been playing for 8 years. To give you an idea of what level I am at, I am currently working on Saint-Saens concerto no. 3. However, my sight reading is not very good and I feel like it always trips me up in auditions. I can’t sight read well on the spot if the piece I am given in the audition involves shifting or even moderately difficult rhythms. Do you know any good books on sight reading and rhythm I can get to help me become better at sight reading? I have heard that getting a bunch of music and sight reading it is the best way to learn, but I would prefer a book that has progressive exercises. I want to become an excellent sight reader, so if you know of any good books on sight reading, please recommend them! Thanks!
Also, I’m not looking for a book for early beginner sight readers, I’m more looking for something for people who are looking to become advanced sight readers (if that’s even a term, lol)
Hey Catch. I have a great suggestion and resource you might consider utilizing:
Kayser: Thirty-Six Elementary and Progressive Studies For The Violin Op. 20
I’ve been playing for twelve years and started studying with it a year ago. Tricky rhythms, bowings, fingerings, hand shifts, articulations, and dynamics, this little assortment has enough to keep you for going for months. Each etude has multiple variations to play. Check it out online. You won’t have to look again for a while.
To get your sight-reading up, take the etude or piece you’re reading at a tempo which is just out of your comfort zone. Doing so will put your brain in the drivers seat so-to-speak. You’ll feel anxious and not in control but that’s normal. This will trail your fingers to anticipate and your brain to read peripherally so by the time you reach the notes ahead, the signal has already been sent to your fingers to play the notes. This happens note-to-note in the beginning.
** Using the same method, I can now sight read one to even a few measures ahead of the point at which I’m playing, depending on the piece. Use a metronome to set that slightly uncomfortable speed so it “pulls” you in a sense. This will prevent you from kreeping back to that comfort zone.
With time and lots of frustration, you will progress. You’re on the right track. Now it’s time to take your musicianship to the next level.
Good luck and I hope this helped!
-Matthew.
dizzi dulcimer sunrise exercise grade 3
