Acquiring the skills to pay the bills

Abstract

This documents my attempts to become a better sight-reader and a faster learner. I proceed by examining literature and interviewing professional musicians and I discover that score- reading, transposing, sight-reading with other musicians, sight-reading frequently and increasing the difficulty of the material, improvising, and improving sense of rhythm are ways to improve sight-reading. I also discover that Karl Leimer’s visualization technique and mentally reviewing a score to solve irrational rhythms and organize practice are methods of mental practicing that can lead to faster learning. Among the techniques I use are rhythm exercises, work on transposition, and work on score-reading. In addition I sight- read the Mozart and Beethoven sonatas and sight-read with other musicians to increase the volume and difficulty of the material. My sight-reading improved somewhat but time constraints prevent me from giving substantial results.