Chris Blonquist came down for a quick trip out of the frozen tundra of Utah County to present to our Chapter today. He presented some great material and ideas on how to help our students (and ourselves?!) be better sightreaders!!
A few notes from today's presentation:
"At every lesson I will ask you to do something that is new (that you don't know). Don't let this surprise you!! This is how we learn! And LOOK at how far you have come!"
Notes should NEVER be taught by using mnemonics...the "translation" rate is too slow when you start playing music.
There are 88 keys on the piano keyboard but only 9 landmarks!! Easier to remember those nine!
(Bass clef = F clef) C2 F2 C3 F3 C4 (RH shares this)(Treble Clef = G clef) G4 C5 G5 C6
The intervals between each landmark and its surrounding notes is: up a 2nd, down a 2nd, up a 3rd or down a 3rd. Choose the closest landmark, say the interval and direction, then the name of the note you're trying to identify. Initially, this takes a little practice, but it makes note learning/identification when playing (sightreading) MUCH easier and accurate!
Foster good habits of eye movement: LOOK AHEAD; DON'T look at your hands
Another important habit: DON'T STOP...keep playing!!!
The books referred to: The Talent Code, The Outliers, Talent is Overrated
"It takes an average of 500 hours to master a language. If you practice sightreading 10 minutes, 6 days/week = 60 minutes or 1 hr. 50 weeks in a year (minus 2 for vacation!) = 50 hours. Do this for 10 years = 500 hours, and you might have mastery of the language of music."
We videoed today's presentation. It is private, so please contact me if you would like the link. *_*
