Im grade 7 trumpet, Grade 3 singing (from years ago) and i recently got a distiction in grade 2 piano i know one of the best organistes in the world (prof Ian Tracey of Liverpool Cthedral) and i know loads of musicians. The Problem is i carnt sight read or play basic rythems and iv tried to sort them out but i just carnt and im thinking of giving up all music as cant to the most bsic thing.

NOOOOOOO...DONT GIVE UP! you can't do everything naturally and some people just find it easier to do things like rhythms and sight reading.If you pracetise loads it'll come naturally. Ive been doin music for ages too and i only got the hang of basic rhythms last year and still cant do sight reading. But im practising everyday and getting better loads...so dont give up!

Don't give up. You've achieved a lot already for someone who has difficulty sight-reading!

I'd suggest you find a teacher who can help you with basic sight-reading. Maybe your trumpet or piano teacher could recommend someone. Can you talk to him / her about your worries and get some advice?

Maggie

If you are struggling with sight reading, just think how rewarding it will be to sort it out. And if rhythms are a problem, try the Kodaly rhythm syllables. They really help, trust me.

if you know one of the best organists in the world im sure they will be able to help you too.

I'm in the exact same boat as you. i'm a grade 8 pianist, but I can't sight-read to save my life, I always fail this part of my exam, literally, but I'm not giving up! Sight-reading is one part of music. Concert pianist never sight-read. If you watch a concert pianist, they never have a piece of music with them.
Don't worry about it. Practice like me but memorise pieces if you're more comfortable, there's nothing wrong with that. I do it all the time and i still pass.

DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Don't let sight-reading bog you down. A way that I recommend is go and get a few pieces and spend a while playing over them as well as doing your test sight reading. As for your rythm problems clap to the beat or whack the table with something if it suits you better (not recommended). Whatever you do do NOT give up.

QUOTE

Sight-reading is one part of music. Concert pianist never sight-read.

I would have thought that they could more likely sight read well.... if not then wouldn't it take them far too long to learn their repertoire in the first place?

QUOTE (Mountain @ May 20 2005, 09:28 PM)

I'm in the exact same boat as you. i'm a grade 8 pianist, but I can't sight-read to save my life, I always fail this part of my exam, literally, but I'm not giving up! Sight-reading is one part of music. Concert pianist never sight-read. If you watch a concert pianist, they never have a piece of music with them. Don't worry about it. Practice like me but memorise pieces if you're more comfortable, there's nothing wrong with that. I do it all the time and i still pass.

Sight-reading is important on more than one level, as sbhoa points out it's an important skill in learning to play pieces that you want to have as repertoire as well as reading things quickly (incidentally, if concert pianists do chamber music or accompany people for sonatas, as they quite often do, they will usually have the music there) .

If one memorises every piece one isn't really learning to play the piano one is learning a number of pieces by rote and the next piece is just as hard to learn as the previous one. Furthermore, one has a limited repertoire because it takes a lot longer to memorise a piece rather than just read it straight through (or at least some parts of it): the reason grade 8 students can play longer pieces (e.g. sonatas) than grade one pupils is that they can read through more music more quickly without having to take a really learn every section in order to be able to play it (not all of a sonata is usually difficult for a player of a high standard). A grade 1 pupil would struggle more with a three-page grade 1 piece than a grade 8 pupil would with a three-page grade 8 piece. I think what makes someone in my mind grade 8 standard is not only that they can play grade 8 pieces given time to practise; but that they could also play, say, a grade 4 piece at sight quite well; other people will disagree though, obviously.

It is really important to improve your sightreading: don't give up, there's no secret to it other than practice, lots and lots every day starting at a level you're comfortable with.

Don't give up!!!You can do it!!! :lol:My advice:You can play a variety of music for instance jazz,blue,classical and so on and don't limit yourself by playing only one type of music.Believe me,it really helps.As for rhythm,you can count it out loud while playing.I know it sounds stupid but it's truly effective!After some time,I'm sure you will develop a good sense of rhythm by doing so.I understand that learning music can be quite challenging at times.But,a man can do what his mind conceives!Now,I can play pieces that once I thought was never possible simply because i kept trying and didn't give up.Here,I wish u good luck. Once again,NEVER give up!!!

DO NOT STOP. It took me 5 years to get into the swing and since them I've excelled alot. Please keep going.