Improve Your Sight-Reading! Flute, Grade 6-8 (New Edition): Flute Book

This new edition strips away busywork while keeping the systematic progression that makes independent practice effective. The three-stage structure (preparatory exercises, prepared pieces, then graded sight-reading passages) means students develop genuine confidence rather than just grinding through pages. Harris's alignment with current ABRSM standards ensures the difficulty curve matches what students will encounter in formal assessments.

Clear-eyed and purposeful. The material respects your intelligence by naming exactly what you're working on and why, then structuring each exercise to remove one obstacle at a time. You progress from confident to capable.

Intermediate to advanced flute players working toward or preparing for graded examinations (ABRSM Grades 6-8). This book serves both students engaged in regular private lessons and ensemble players who need to strengthen their reading fluency for band or orchestra repertoire.

• Work through the rhythmic and melodic preparatory exercises before tackling the piece itself; these drills isolate the specific challenges you'll encounter, making the actual sight-reading moment far less chaotic.
• Study the prepared pieces thoroughly before moving to the graded sight-reading section; this builds your internal reference library for common patterns and technical situations.
• Time yourself on the graded sight-reading pieces to simulate real exam conditions, reading straight through without stopping to correct errors.

Assign this as structured home practice for students preparing for ABRSM or similar graded examinations, working through one unit per week alongside repertoire study. The sight-reading pieces can also serve as warm-up material during ensemble rehearsals to maintain and sharpen reading skills across your section.

• Rapid decoding of complex rhythmic patterns (mixed meters, syncopation, subdivision)
• Identifying and executing technical figures without prior study (finger patterns, articulation markings, dynamic changes)
• Reading with consistent tempo and musicality on first pass
• Recognizing melodic contours and common interval relationships
• Applying ABRSM sight-reading criteria and assessment standards