There are few skills that create as much return as investing time in sight reading. One does not have to dig deep to understand the benefit. An increased proficiency in sight reading allows the singer to be able to learn more music, and harder music, faster.
Unfortunately, sight reading is not a skill that many singers are greatly proficient at. This lack of proficiency stems from a lack of time spent, a lack of understanding of how, and an incomplete vision of how the skill will improve the singer’s experience.
When it comes to sight reading the most important thing to remember is accuracy. In order to maximize accuracy taking it slow is the best practice. How slow? Really, really slow. In the words of one of my previous professors, so slow that you can’t possibly make a mistake. The caveat that I want to add is that accuracy also applies to rhythm.
Below you will find an ever growing list of sight singing practice. Some of these practices will be melodies, some will be harmony parts. They will represent beginner, intermediate, and advanced difficulties, various clefs and keys.
When you first choose a practice complete the key center exercise, then silently read (audiate) the score; can you sing it correctly? Repeat the key center exercise if needed, then sing the music. You can sing on a vowel of choice, on numbers, or solfège. On the score you will find numbers, moveable do solfège, and fixed do solfège.
Repeat the exercise until you are confident you have sung it correctly. You can then check the answer at the bottom of the page.
Happy Practicing!