A nearby music center my teacher held a concert at offers sight reading and aural classes. These two areas happen to be my weaknesses, and while I usually lose less than 5-10 points from scales and songs combined, I barely manage a pass on sight reading and aural.

But is it really helpful to take a class in either, especially if it is a group class? Or do such things just come naturally for some people, like sight reading? Basically, can you be taught to sight-read? The rate is somewhat expensive for a group lesson, and the transporation is not the most convenient. However, if it can really improve my scores in those areas, I'm up for it.

I think that aural tests are a more natural reflection of general musicianship. But yes sight readin can be taught. Go to the classes - you never know what you may learn

Aural can be taught; Sight-reading not so much it's just a lot of practice required but it can be learnt with practice. Sounds like the course would be helpful to your musicianship and the sight-reading element might just give you the encouragement to do the practise you need . I'd say go for it: it will probably do your all-round musicianship good (as well as your exam marks) . Give it a try for a while and if you don't feel you're learning you could always leave (give it a reasonable chance though!).

I would say go for it, too!

You can definitely, definitely improve in all areas given good tuition and the most effective methods.

I used to be hopeless at all things aural and I learned to improve beyond my wildest imaginings - so good luck and I hope the classes you go to are as helpful as the ones I go to!

I will offer my advice from two perspectives -
1: I used to be a student of one of these group classes; and
2: I am now a teacher of these group classes.

I learnt for years and years in a group aural/musicianship/theory class by an amazing guy called Olle Palmqvist and I not only enjoyed the group environment (being a pianist, you tend to be alone in music a lot) but learnt a lot of exceptional skills that I can transfer to anything in music - composition, arranging, performance, music appreciation, transcribing, sight reading... the list is endless.

I am now a teacher of similar classes for my own students and they really enjoy them a lot. We work on rhythms, and melodies - often playing these on the piano - which DEFINATELY helps sight reading skills! We do Aural stuff - including chords and harmonies and cadences, singing - including sight singing (more sight reading!)... we mark theory, compose melodies and eventually who songs, and learn about other instruments and transposing etc.

Not only do you gain skills that are vital to being a good musician, the classes are really really fun and a chance to socialise yet still do music.

I would recommend them!!!! I had so much fun and I now enjoy teaching them as well.

I think you should give the classes a go - you learn quite a lot from groups, get to meet other musicians and also encourages healthy competition!

If it doesn't work out, then stop!

sounds worthwhile and maybe social value, meeting people in similar situations.


look on it like reading a book - only you can learn but guidance and hints are always helpful.

hm, there's the catch.
but you know the teacher and how effective he or she is, so that one is up to you!

the easiest route to sightreading is practice - sooner or later you have to start a piece off yourself then you'll be sightreading - hesitant, maybe, one hand at a time, maybe but you're sightreading.

Oh my gosh they are so useful!! The best sight-reading I ever did was when my duet partner was told to come and listen to me sight-read, and aural classes stop embarassment so much with the singing. Seriously, go for it. I wish I could do proper sight-reading classes. Like you, I drop the majority of my marks just on sight-reading, and at higher grades aural is hard.
My friend at music college does sight-reading classes where every string player from the whole college is present, as well as teachers, and they have to go onto stage and sight-read. She says it has helped her to such a degree that she now enjoys sight-reading

Just go for it - there will be many people in the same situation as you. I'm sure you'll enjoy it and get a lot out of it.

I would say sight-reading and aurals are the most overlooked part of learning an instrument. Scales and studies are usually piled on. I would make a reasoned assumption that many only do sight-reading and aurals to get through an exam. AB speciman sight-reading/aural training in practice. 'Survive' those parts of the exam.

To me, this is the equivalent of doing only exam pieces, which is of course considered very, very wrong.

I can't begin to say how much my piano playing has improved since I seriously started working on sight-reading. And of course aural ability is essential to any musician.

Definitely go for it.

Yes,go for it. All my pupils get a small amount of sight reading each lesson, and it does their confidence the power of good!