Piano sight reading

[HighlandWorrier]

About to take a graded exam and am happy in my ability for all elements except the side reading which I am pretty weak at. My teacher says most of his students are the same and not to worry. Any tips on improving on this?

*sight not side obviously 😂

The only way to improve sight reading is practise. Ask your teacher for a suitable book. Then just pick pieces at random and have a go at playing them.
I always think if you play confidently a few wrong notes aren't as jarring as a hesitant piece with all the correct notes.

My advice is always to take the time to look through the piece before you play a note - look for the overall shape, key signature, highest and lowest notes and any leaps, accidentals, dynamic markings.

Start slow!

Keep going! Even if you make a mistake. Don’t stop start. Play from beginning to end with a slow steady pace and smile through any mistakes.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I do have some sight-reading books I have been going through. It's weird because I can learn a new piece quite easily especially if I hear it first but a short sight-reading piece seems more difficult. Maybe because I learnt to play by ear so actually reading the music doesn't come so easily. I will keep plodding on though would love to be able to pick up a book in a few years and be able to play anything in it instantly

Sight singing using sol-fa may also help in that case as you will start to recognise intervals and what they should sound like. Then you will have an idea just by looking of what the air will be.

Also look at the time signature; count out loud as you play. It helps if you go slower and keep in time.