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Dr G
Senior Member
- 1,298
How many times can you sightread a piece of music before it becomes just “reading”?
Sightreading vs reading
- Thread starter Dr G
- Start date
Dr G
Senior Member
- 1,298
That depends on how many times you make a first impression.
Once.
Concentrating on the current note is called "learning to read”. On the job, it’s clled “being late”. When sightreading, you have to read at least a bar ahead, and 2-4 bars is better, especially at fast tempo.
I remember the first time I played Sammy Davis Jr’s show. At the rehearsal, the director said “We have a new intro this year, let’s run it down”. We ran it down. He said “Cool. See you at the show, you guys have done this a million times. I have a tee time in 15 minutes”.
Sammy had a big book, and was absolutely capable of pulling out a number he hadn’t done in years at a moment’s notice. Every show I played with him (about 100) involved some sightreading.
Pete Effamy
Well-Known Member
- 4,395
Great story. Must feel like a lifetime ago now. Did Frank or Dean ever show up?
Pete Effamy
Well-Known Member
- 4,395
It’s once, because of the nature of what it’s training you for, and that’s being in a scenario where you have to play a piece in a gig, unrehearsed and possibly unseen too. As Skeller describes above.
It goes beyond the notes and pitches too at this point - you have to know what to do with it stylistically too. Classical music can get closer to 100% description with musical directions on the page than other styles that have less rigidity of tone colour, for example.
Things that might have been scribbled out hurriedly at the last minute for a TV or radio show might not have much direction written in anyway, so you need to always be aware of listening to what is going on and how you place yourself within it.
It goes beyond the notes and pitches too at this point - you have to know what to do with it stylistically too. Classical music can get closer to 100% description with musical directions on the page than other styles that have less rigidity of tone colour, for example.
Things that might have been scribbled out hurriedly at the last minute for a TV or radio show might not have much direction written in anyway, so you need to always be aware of listening to what is going on and how you place yourself within it.
Well, half a lifetime. Dean yes, Frank no. I was lucky to be at the tail end of a time when you could make a living playing great (and sometimes not-so-great) music, playing in the showrooms of casinos. There are those who claim that Sammy was the greatest entertainer of all time, and I can’t argue with them. He was wonderful on and off stage.
Pete Effamy
Well-Known Member
- 4,395
Terrific. When you’re in the thick of those lovely times it’s easy for them to just be “your life” and then they’re gone. Great to have had them.
Pete Effamy
Well-Known Member
- 4,395
As a verbal instruction without seeing the spelling, you’re gonna find the Brits down the road in the cafe expecting some cake!
So what do British golfers call it?
Pete Effamy
Well-Known Member
- 4,395
Tee off I think.
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