**UPDATED Dec 2016**
Please note that Colin’s Sight Reading Academy, mentioned below and in the recording of this podcast is no longer available. All other aspects of our discussion around sight reading is still relevant. See below if you’d like to grab your free download.
Sight reading is one of the key skills that I teach my students. We generally work on tactics in every single lesson with practice set during the week.
I almost put teaching effective sight reading above all else in my studio because for students to sight read effectively, they have to understand music at a deep level. They have to quickly recognise patterns, understand chords and key relationships and have an excellent sense of pulse.
But I also know that you can’t just expect students to get better at sight reading by doing more sight reading. They need a combination of tools and effective teaching to help them understand how to do it and to practice those skills in the most appropriate ways.
I’m very excited to talk today to Colin Thompson from Sight Reading Academy (SRA) in California all about his revolutionary approach to sight reading based on eye movement, brain science, memory and pattern recognition and I know that you’re going to get a heap of value out of the interview.
Colin has just re-launched SRA after extended trials during the second half of 2014 and he’s got some really special offers available for TTTV listeners. See below for more details.
This podcast will talk about both sight reading tips and also the program that Colin has for teaching sight reading using technology online. And I don’t use the term “revolutionising” flippantly; this is really innovative stuff!
Colin’s top recommendations for improving sight reading teaching and practice, including:
Related: Whatever You Do, Don’t Stop: 5 Sight Reading Tips for Piano Teachers
Related: Can Tetris Help Your Sight Reading?
Most piano teachers are pretty good sight readers. But have you ever thought about exactly how you sight read so well? How do you go about passing on these tips to students and what do you think about Colin’s ideas?
I’d love to hear your thoughts – please leave a message below.