Improve Your Sight-Reading! Piano, Level 6 (New Edition): Piano Book

This workbook strips away the anxiety that freezes pianists at the page by front-loading preparation. Rather than throwing students into cold sight-reading, Harris builds confidence through targeted rhythm and melody drills first, then guided pieces with reflection questions, only then moving to the real test. The progression works because it trains the brain's pattern recognition rather than punishing hesitation.

Each stage unfolds like scaffolding being methodically removed. Early sections feel manageable, almost game-like; by the time you reach unprepared sight-reading, the patterns your hands and eyes have been drilling suddenly feel natural. The check-box system creates a tangible sense of accumulation.

Late intermediate pianists who can play with technical security but still blank when faced with an unfamiliar score. This workbook is equally valuable for students working independently and those meeting a teacher regularly for accountability and feedback.

• Work through the rhythmic and melodic exercises before attempting any prepared pieces. These aren't busywork; they isolate the exact problems you'll encounter in the full score.
• Use the check-boxes as accountability tools, not just record-keeping. Checking off a stage signals completion and builds visible momentum, especially over longer practice periods.
• Answer the reflection questions honestly about what tripped you up. This metacognitive layer is what turns repetition into retained skill.
• Save the unprepared sight-reading tests for when you're fresh and unhurried. This isn't the moment to prove something; it's the moment to discover what stuck from your preparation.

Assign this as a year-long literacy project with students completing one section per lesson, rather than asking them to barrel through it. For pianists who double as accompanists or ensemble players, this directly addresses the survival skills they'll need immediately. Some teachers use the prepared pieces as readalong material during coaching sessions.

• Rhythmic pattern recognition and accuracy under tempo pressure
• Melodic prediction and interval identification
• Strategic page scanning and look-ahead planning
• Confidence management and composure when encountering unfamiliar notation
• Self-assessment through guided reflection on performance