Advanced Sightreading

henhog · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

Hey all

I just joined a new jazz/funk band and where playing cover songs from sheet music - like 'What is Hip' by tower of power and others - and im expected to sightread on the spot. I can play it fine if i songs away and practice them or even give it a good look over and then play it - but i can't do the whole on the spot sightreading. Any suggestions to improve my sight reading or get it faster or any help would be much appreciated.

cheers
Henhog Cool

Rasta · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Advanced Sightreading

styles2281 · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:57 am Post subject:

Pretty much, sight read a new piece everyday.

Even better, if you have someone willing to help, have them cover the bars as you play so you can't look back (only forward) that REALLY helped me get better.

But, beyond that, there's not much more than just DOING it every single day.
_________________
"One day I feel I'm on top of the world
"I'm not dumb, I just have a command of thoroughly useless information" - Calvin of Bill Waterson's "Calvin and Hobbes"

henhog · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

sweet thanks heaps mate!

macktavish · Not So Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 8

Hi,

I would recommend an instructor that has experience reading charts and teaching others to read them. A buddy of mine went to a Steve Gadd performance and actually talked to Steve. Steve said he was reading most of the stuff he played. by sight reading the Real Book. That's where a qualified instructor helps. They can help you interpret Jazz charts that have no written drum parts.

If the drum parts are written note for note, then refer to the previous posts.

Another thing that help is knowing the form of the tune AABA or whatever. That way you will at know where you are in the tune.

matrixboy · Newbie Alert Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

yea i agree with styles2281. i am in a jazz combo and big band and i find that with every new piece i get, if i try to sightread it instead of reading it first, i get better at it