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Lesson time: (9min 4sec)
James shares his 'KAT TRAP' method for tackling sight reading, a key skill for the Rockschool exam and for any working pianist.
This lesson is part of the course Rockschool Piano Grade 2
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Hey guys, it's James here. I'm going to talk to you briefly about sight reading, which is a part of the Rock School exams and also a very important part of being a performing pianist.
Pianists, often in the rock, pop, jazz, and funk worlds, don't necessarily have as good sight reading skills as our classical music counterparts. However, even though a lot of the music we play is very aural-based and relies on our ears, it's crucial to develop good sight reading skills.
Sight reading is an essential skill that you'll need to use in your daily life. It means when you show up to rehearsals with your bandmates, complex or difficult music can be tackled quickly. The focus shifts from figuring things out to playing and enjoying the music.
I came to sight reading quite late and struggled with it at a young age. Looking back, I wish I'd developed these skills much earlier.
The most difficult thing about piano sight reading is that we deal with two staves. This makes it inherently more challenging than sight reading for other instruments because:
If you're working through the Rock School grades, you'll find each grade presents its own challenges. With practice, you'll eventually find you can sight read almost anything within reason.
I've attached a formula in the PDF that you can download. This acronym is called Cat Trap: K A T T R A P. Here are the seven things you need to watch out for when preparing to sight read a piece of music, plus one crucial reminder:
Key: Identify the key signature (e.g., F, C, G major, G minor, E minor).
Articulation: Look for phrasing in the piece. Are there staccato lines, tenuto lines, or slurs? Often in rock or pop music, these articulations may be left to the performer.
Tempo: Determine the speed of the piece. A piece at 50 bpm will sound entirely different from one at 120 bpm. This will affect how you play within the staves.
Time Signature: Understand how many beats are in each bar. Common time signatures in rock include 4/4, but don't be surprised to encounter 3/4, 5/4, 7/4, or even more complex signatures.
Repeats: Look for repeat signs in the score. It's crucial not to miss these, as they can significantly affect the flow of the piece.
Accidentals: Watch for extra sharps or flats in the music that aren't indicated in the key signature. Missing them can alter the tonality and sound.
Patterns: Recognize the shapes and patterns in the music. Familiarity with common shapes (like the three-note C major triad) can speed up recognition and execution.
The final and most important point is: Don't panic!
Everyone starts somewhere, and it can be challenging at first. With time, you'll develop this essential skill which is crucial for advancing your career as a musician.
Remember Cat Trap:
And most importantly, don't panic! You'll get there with practice.
