From Daniel Gordon
Leeds
The article about the differences in piano sightreading techniques between
professionals and beginners (Science, 15 February, p 20) will interest many
musicians. I’m sure that most pianists would agree that efficiency and the
ability to pass over mistakes are very important aspects of good reading.
But it would be wrong to imagine that the differences stop there. The diagram
of eye movement showed the beginner glancing back to the key signature at the
beginning of the line. Experienced players use memory to determine many other
features of a piece, such as the dynamics and the phrasing of notes. Let us also
not forget another vital professional technique—guesswork—based on
the knowledge of other music in the same style.
All these factors are more important still for some choral accompanists, who
may be sightreading 10 staves simultaneously—judging which parts are the
most important for the singers to hear, as well as watching the conductor,
turning the pages and protecting the music from draughts. My experience, and
that of fellow pianists, suggests to me that practice does teach you to read
more quickly, and to look farther ahead when necessary.
Advertisement
