9 Tips for Sight-Singing Success

It’s no secret, I’m an unapologetic sight-singing enthusiast! I legitimately enjoy the process. I always have, both as a singer and an educator. After all, the ability to “hear” the music before it is played is a musical superpower of sorts. And this phenomenal skill is perhaps the greatest gift we can give our students.

Sight-singing is not difficult to teach when you have some dedicated time and a few good tools (such as my new interactive slide set for distance learning called Sight-Singing Workshop ). No matter what resource you use, enjoy the following practical tips for successful sight-singing. Share this acrostic with your students, and please keep sight-singing whether in person or remote!

S ight-sing often. Every day, if possible. Without a doubt, practice pays off.

I solate rhythms from pitches. These are two different skills, so work them separately before combining.

G radually increase the level of difficulty. A logical sequence of concepts is critical.

H ave a methodology and stick to it. Is Kodály better than numbers? Is count-singing better than Takadimi? Not at all. Any of these systems is effective with consistency.

T ap a steady beat or pulse, and try not to stop. Even if you make a mistake, keep going.

S tudy before you start. Notice the time signature and key; determine the starting note; examine the rhythms, notes, and intervals; identify potential challenges; then “sing” silently to yourself—all before the official start.

I ndependence is the goal, so perform a cappella or with an accompaniment that does not double singer notes.

N ever look back. As a matter of fact, always look ahead in the music. While you are singing bar three, your eyes (and mind) should be preparing for bar four.

G olden tone and technique will make it musical. Whereas a lack of support or confidence might imply errors.