Hi Robert,

That is a problem indeed. In fact I have given up trying to learn
sight reading consciously.
A short-cut or even a particular approach other than constant
practice probably does not
exist. Some seem to have a knack for it, others seem to be having
more difficulties.

Though I need, and use, the score to study, I try to learn a piece by
heart as quickly as
possible; that is my solution. Strangely, even after I can play it
by heart I need the music
in front of me to remember certain parts. In these cases I 'read'
the overall shape, not
the single notes. In other words, I use it to support my (mainly
tactile) memory. In that
sense, my music reading abilities have slowly improved, without me
actually
concentrating on it. (They are still an eternity away from what is
called sight reading.)

People who have watched me have always wondered why and how I can
remember
long stretches of music, but I find remembering much less demanding
than acquiring
a skill such as sight reading IN ADDITION to learning the piano!
There can be no
doubt that sight reading is a must for a full fledged musician, but I
don't aspire to
become one. I want to be able to play some pieces which have
intrigued me for a
long time in a satisfactory manner (to me). In that sense sight
reading is not
necessarily a prerequisite for playing the piano.

If you should try your hand at playing from memory instead of from
the score,
there are two serious disadvantages to be aware of. First: tactile
(muscular)
memory is the weakest of all the various memories you have at your
disposal.
You may find yourself having to re-study the same piece many times
(which of
course becomes easier with every repetition) before it really sticks,
and even
then will you have to play it regularly to prevent whole sections
from suddenly
'escaping' your memory again. The second pitfall is that you won't
be able to
play just anything that comes your way. Every new piece will take
you longer
than it will take the 'real' musician.

Karl




On 22.05.2009, at 23:46, Robert Coontz wrote:



I started the piano from scratch as an adult student two years ago
but still can't find notes and chords fluently from a score. I can
figure them out, with hesitation and fumbling. It's frustrating!

My teacher and other people tell me that it's just a matter of time
and practice, but there must be some systematic way to accelerate the
process (assuming I'm not musically dyslexic). Can anyone recommend
drills, techniques, even computer software that might help me over
this hurdle?

Thanks,

Robert






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]