Hey all, this is my first post on the ABRSM Boards so please be gentle

Well, I have just started learning violin at the age of 22 (2 lessons in) although I have played piano on and off for 16 years, and would like to start working on my sight reading and music theory so I don't waste my time in lessons in the future having to frantically study a piece before I attempt to play it. Currently I can sight-read up to around grade 3 piano, as a rough estimate, and was curious as to whether anyone has any suggestions as to any books or materials to help with this endeavour. As yet I have found this book which looks pretty extensive in music theory; Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Liam.

Welcome to the boards, or rather welcome to posting. You've been lurking for a long time!


I basically self-taught theory up to grade 5, and used the Music Theory in Practice series. They were brilliant. They go step by step, and don't assume that you know anything that they haven't taught you. Each grade starts where the previous grade finishes, so there are no big jumps when you move on to the next grade.

This is a link to the grade 1 book that I used:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Pract...6725&sr=1-4

There is now a new version, which I presume covers a change in syllabus or something.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Pract...6725&sr=1-1

Once I'd studied grades 1 to 5, I consolidated by studying the pink AB Guide to Music Theory. I loved this, because it also teaches in a logical order when you read it from start to finish.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AB-Guide-Music-The...6949&sr=1-1

I studied on my own, but gave my completed books and exam papers to my piano teacher for marking. This was really helpful because she sometimes pointed out things which I hadn't fully understood. It was also helpful in the composition questions, because there are so many possible answers which makes it hard to know if mine were any good.


If you plan to go beyond grade 5, then it becomes a different story. No book that I've ever looked at starts at the end of grade 5, and takes you forward. I'm currently studying using the rather brilliant Anna Butterworth Harmony in Practice book. This covers grades 6 to 8, but I had to wait for a few years while my Kodaly classes closed the gap between the end of grade 5 and the start of the Butterworth book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Practice-A...7052&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Practice-A...pd_bxgy_b_img_b

(Yes! Kodaly isn't just rhythm names and hand signs. It is lots of things, including teaching music theory to beyond grade 5 ...)


I've been using Paul Harris' Improve your Sight Reading series for piano sight reading. I find them sequential, with no big leaps. I use Sight Reading for Fun if I need extra practice on any particular grade. I know that Paul Harris does other instruments, but I don't know if he does violin, or if the violin series is any good.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piano-Grade-Improv...7473&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sight-Reading-Fun-...7586&sr=1-1

The best tip I was ever given for sight-reading was to read from a few notes to a whole bar ahead of what you are actually playing. This gives your brain time to process what's coming next before sending messages to your fingers.

Try it very slowly with a simple piece - it's a technique that improves with practice.


Edit: Sorry just realised you were asking about books specifically. Still, it's a useful technique.

Completely agree with this and don't see the point in buying specific books for sight reading purposes, buy some sheet music and have a go!

Start with pre grade 1 music and build it up. I can sight read up to around grade 4-5 piano music slowly, not up to fast sight reading as yet unless there are not many chords and I can sight read up to grade 7-8 clarinet music more or less to tempo. I do LOTS of sight reading - it is fun as you get to play so much more

Ahh Judith you caught me! I used to lurk a few years ago when I was interested in learning violin but now I've got round to it I thought I should post. Well I've ordered the Alfred's Essentials book just for some reading to and from work and in spare time and see what I can pick up from it. Next time I'm in a music shop I'll have a good browse at the Theory in Practice books to see what I can grab. Lottie I learnt many years ago to stay a bar or so ahead which I can start off fine, unless I get stuck and then find it difficult to carry on. I'm just going to spend my spare time reading through and playing scores me thinks.

Cheers for the help and suggestions

There are two main reasons that I like sight reading books:
1) You don't have to search around for suitable music. It gets gradually harder without you thinking about it.
2) You get lots of tips about how to sight read.

I learned almost all my theory on the tube to and from work, I even completed mock examination papers that way.

I've got the Violin Specimen Sight Reading Tests which I am just going through on the piano (I can barely use 2nd finger on violin) to see where I'm at and I'm sure I can find lots of sight reading examples on the net which I can practice until payday when I shall more than likely purchase more books than I need! I do hate commuting but the time can be put to good use other than for catchup on lost sleep.

Yes - I agree with JudithJ about sight-reading books, and find them enormously useful with all my students. It's much better, especially when you are building up rusty or shaky skills, to use something which has been systematically thought through, and may, eg, provide you with several consecutive pieces which help you practise a particular point: several pieces in varying styles but in the same key, practising the same rhythms but in different keys, etc, you get the idea.

There is a place for playing anything you can get your hands on, but it's much harder to assess what level you need, and is discouraging if you are attempting to sight-read something even just a little too difficult. May be more useful when you are more confident.