Tips for Sight Reading Hymns

Many of my friends have asked what I do with all of my time now that we are finished with our 9 parties in 9 weeks challenge. Well since I had SO much time to begin with… 😉 not like I have two little boys or something…

Anyways that being said, I did begin taking piano lessons. I was worried at first how in the world I would get any practicing done with two toddlers jealous of my time. But thankfully we worked out a schedule that when Tennessee sleeps, I practice, and Boston knows it is quiet time. This isn’t exactly fool proof, for I do get a few interruptions from Boston or Tennessee might not sleep as long, but for the most part, I am able to get in a solid hour of practice.

One of the things my teacher has been working with me on is sight reading which I am really grateful for. Especially since I was recently asked to play the piano every Sunday for our Relief Society (women’s church group) and I sometimes don’t get much (if any) notice of the songs that will be sung for our meeting. I have played the piano off and on for most of my life, but have never been good at sight reading.

My teacher taught me some basic tips that have already improved my site reading. I thought maybe someone else out there, a new primary pianist or something, may benefit from these tips as well.

I practice sight reading with hymns, so will be using that as I describe the process, but these principles are universal to whatever type of music you are trying to sight read. 

Tips for Sight Reading

1.  Study the piece

Before you begin to play, look over the entire hymn. Don’t just check the key signature, hold your breadth, and go for it (please tell me that I am not the only one guilty of this?!). Check the key signature, tap out the tempo, scan the piece for accidentals, pick-ups, dynamics, and any crazy elements that may be added like an extra sharp or flat (I just LOVE when they do that… yeah right!). My sight reading has improved IMMENSELY simply by looking over the entire piece before I play. It doesn’t take very long to scan the hymn and I am a bit more at ease when I play because I know what lies ahead.

2.  Slow as possible

Play the hymn as slow as possible but not too slow that the congregation can’t sing along. 

3.  Don’t stop

I used to stop and then start from the beginning whenever my finger hit a wrong note. In sight reading, you definitely don’t want to get into this habit. I guarantee the congregation isn’t going to stop in the midst of the hymn to start again with you no matter how much you mess up. So practice as if you were actually playing in front of people. Even if all you can play is the melody, that is fine, the key is to KEEP GOING!

If a certain measure continues to give you heartache while you are practicing, get out of the ‘sight reading’ mode and spot practice that section to drill out the mistakes.

4.  Keep practice simple

Practicing just one hymn a day does wonders for improving your sight reading. Pretty manageable, right? Obviously you can play more if you wish but go through at least one. The beginning of the hymnal is a great place to start.

 

And there you have it! Four tips to help improve sight reading. Pretty basic I know, but speaking from experience, implementing these simple techniques will enhance your sight reading skills.

What tips have you found helpful in sight reading hymns and other pieces?