From this week onwards, I will upload 10 useful tips to improve your sight-reading on the piano. Today’s tip will be:
- Develop Your “Relative” Sense of Touch.
Acquire the skill of playing so that you don’t need to look down at your hands. Without looking at the keyboard, glide your hands so you feel the two and three black keys (like Braille.) When you need a C, D, or E, feel for the “2s.” When you need an F, G, A, or B, feel for the “3s.”
Most good sight-readers don’t need to look at their hands while they play and this drill teaches you how to find any note without looking at your hands. Then you will be able to keep your eyes on the music and look ahead and this will greatly speed up your sight-reading.
Try it and practice on the piano now! If can, do it in the dark without the scores first. After that, you can try sight-reading on a simple piece of music, moving your hands to feel the black and white keys, while keeping your eyes on the music scores. Do this as much as you can for this week. Look out for my next tip next week! =)
Credits to “Article by Howard Richman of Sound Feelings Publishing, Tarzana, California.”
