It’s an interactive sight-reading training tool (a kind of widget). It works by you playing the piano keys on screen using your mouse, alternatively if you prefer to play more quickly, try hitting the keys of your computer keyboard instead.
The aim of this exercise is to pick out the note from staff. Aim to hit the right pitch within the time limit. On-screen is a representation of a musical staff with a marker that scrolls along. When you’re ready, click Set the sightline to begin the phrase. A count-in follow (two beats) allowing you time to concentrate on the initial note. As soon as the marker reach a notehead, press the matching key on your piano. If you get the correct pitch in time, it will update the score and move the marker on.
How to Use the Piano Sight-Reading Tool
To tailor your own practice session there is a few options. First is what note range you would like to work on. This ranges from one note up to a four-note bar and then as far as an eight-note sightline. Next, decide which staff lane you want. Do you wish to work on treble clefs, bass clefs or both (grand staff)? Then you select the key you would like to play in. There are options for major (F, G, C etc.). Finally, you can set melodic contour. This will either force notes to leap, skip, or step.
At the base of the screen is a piano keyboard that serves as your primary input method. You can play by clicking the on-screen piano keys with your mouse or by using your computer keyboard for a faster, more tactile experience. Alternatively use your computer keyboard instead. The lettered keys underneath relates to C, B. The notes follow this order: A, W, S, E, D, F, T, G, Y, H, U & J. To change the octave range, use numbers 2-6 which keeps you in the right area when you play the notes on the staff.
As you play along, the dashboard on the right monitor your performance. It updates in real time with your score, your accuracy percentage and your sight streak. If you run out of time or miss a note, it gets added to the trouble-note shelf. The shelf accumulate the notes you’re having problems with. You can then practice them adaptively. When the shelf fills up, click the route missed pitches button. It creates a new phrase that’s focused on these problem areas.
The pace, or tempo, is everything in developing accuracy and speed. Slide the tempo up/down with the sightline pace slider. Begin slowly then pick it up when you feel confident.
If you are working on identifying by sight, turn down the answer volume. That way you can lower the volume to focus purely on visual identification. Then press the hold button to freeze the sightline and ID that tricky interval. Then press resume again.
There is some practical hints that will help you make the best use of the session. Try to maintain your eyes a note or more in advance off the sightline marker. It then prepare you for the next pitch. If you often find yourself missing particular octaves, check your octave selection on the keyboard panel. That way your hands is correctly placed. Pressing the clean take button allows you to reset the score and streak. This gives you a fresh start with no accumulated data.
Instant response, The widget updates your score and streak in real time, adding missed pitches to a shelf for targeted practice. So if it’s leap intervals you’re working on in treble clef or even bass clef, it will do that too. Try a new melodic contour. Try a new key signature. Keep things interesting while making sure you’re practicing what needs improving. Select where you want your routes, then hit the main action button. Notice how it drops onto the first note. Answer with that pitch.
Over time, your reaction speed and reading accuracy will improve. The intervals becomes harder and the phrases longer. As your reading becomes accurate and faster than you will notice an improvement.
Begin at a pace that feels right for you. Then gradually increase from there to create a good grounding in note recognition. You should of tried it already.