Melodic Sight Reader

Choose your instrument and concert key, then use Practice settings for the clef, range, level, time signature, and length. Scan the music before playing. Start sight reading gives you one measure of count-in and follows the music while you play your own instrument or sing.

Listen first plays an instrument sample or a clearly labeled family reference at the instrument’s sounding pitch. For example, written C on B♭ clarinet sounds B♭. For example, concert B♭ is written C for a B♭ clarinet, G for an E♭ alto saxophone, or F for a horn in F. Swipe the staff on touch screens, drag it with a mouse, or focus it and use the arrow keys. This is play-along practice; your microphone is not used and your playing is not automatically graded.

Starter melodies use five notes from the chosen scale. Developing melodies use up to an octave, while Challenge adds wider motion and sixteenth notes in simple meters. Minor keys use the natural minor scale. Unpitched percussion uses a one-line rhythm staff instead of a pitched melody.

Ranges follow the listed standard models; extensions, altissimo, and harmonics are excluded. Voice and custom ranges are starting points. Adjust it to your comfortable register and your teacher’s guidance. Practice on the Piano Sight Reader or work on rhythms only.

Notation: VexFlow. Audio: local recordings and soundfont credits. Some instruments use a family sound or piano pitch reference.