Sight Reading Skills

[MelodyMan]

I've always been good with readings tabs and picking stuff out by ear, but as far as reading standard music notation for guitar, I'm not great. I'm also a singer and am great with standard music notation for voice and piano, but haven't been able to transfer that knowledge to reading for guitar. I guess I'm just wondering how to start getting my reading/sight reading of standard music notation skills up and running...

I'm looking into maybe auditioning to play on cruises and stuff, b/c my serious gf is also a performer and is looking into performing on a cruise, so it would be sweet to land a gig with her, but most cruises require excellent sight reading skills.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Mike239]

Start with the open strings on the music staff, and the first 3 frets just the normal notes not sharps or flats at this stage.
Here this should get you started.

[MelodyMan]

Thanks, mike! That should help me get started...one question I have is when looking at any given piece of music, how do you know what position to play passages in? I mean you can play a High C for example on many different parts of the guitar.

Also, what types of music would be good to start out sight-reading on?

Thanks!

[Mike239]

Well normally when you move up the fret board the dots will be going up on the music staff, i have a sheet at home that has the notation for every note on the fretboard, when i get home i'll scan it and post it for ya.


Now as for songs i learnt easy songs they were only on the first 3 frets and on the first 3 strings.

There are really basic beginner books that you can buy for about $10 and that will have songs and the basics of how to play the guitar but you can use them to learn how to read guitar notation.

Find this book if you can


I have it and its really good for starting out.

[MelodyMan]

Originally Posted by Mike239

Well normally when you move up the fret board the dots will be going up on the music staff, i have a sheet at home that has the notation for every note on the fretboard, when i get home i'll scan it and post it for ya.

True, but what I meant is that you can play the same C on the 1st fret of the B, 5th fret of the G, 10th fret of the D, 15th fret of the A, and 20th fret of the E. Obviously it wouldn't make sense in most situations to use the 15th on the A or 20th on the E, but the others could work in different situtations...you know? I guess you just have to judge it on a case by case basis.

Thanks for your help, Mike!

[Mike239]

Originally Posted by MelodyMan

True, but what I meant is that you can play the same C on the 1st fret of the B, 5th fret of the G, 10th fret of the D, 15th fret of the A, and 20th fret of the E. Obviously it wouldn't make sense in most situations to use the 15th on the A or 20th on the E, but the others could work in different situtations...you know? I guess you just have to judge it on a case by case basis.

Thanks for your help, Mike!

Well in that situation i have no idea, you got a good point i'm going to find that out.

[ken_r152]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

"Sight reading" probably means "sight reading of music that is written for piano." The guitar part is unlikely to double the piano part, so you may have to make some adjustments.

Bring a capo with you, in case you have to adjust to somone's vocal range.

[MelodyMan]

Originally Posted by ken_r152

A couple of things to keep in mind:

"Sight reading" probably means "sight reading of music that is written for piano." The guitar part is unlikely to double the piano part, so you may have to make some adjustments.

Bring a capo with you, in case you have to adjust to somone's vocal range.

Yeah, which makes it confusing to have you sight read music that you wouldn't even be playing if you got the job. I have no problem reading chord diagrams and cheat sheets, so I would be fine in that area.

Yeah, a capo would be essential as well...thanks!

[StevenMikel]

Try taking a few classical guitar lessons.Beginning classical guitar and site reading kind of go hand in hand.When I started college I knew where the notes were on the staff and on the fret board but had never put the 2 together,after about 6 weeks of classical guitar lessons I didn't have any trouble site reading.If you site read for vocals and/or other instruments you shouldn't have any trouble once you get basics down.Site reading is something you have to do constantly to stay on top of and get really good at.

[The Euphor]

If you know the what key to play in, you have often only one scale to play from. And you can easily tell a third from a fourth or second on the staff. Also, accidentals stand out so they should be possible to play right.

Concerning where to play the C. The range of the melody/song is what you should look for. A quick look through the page(s) will tell you how high/low you need to go.

[MelodyMan]

Thanks everyone - great advice!