Sight-Reading
The ability to perform a piece of music at first sight without prior practice or rehearsal
Category
fundamental
Pronunciation
SITE-REE-ding
Origin
English
Length
142 words · 1 min read
About Sight-Reading
Sight-reading is the ability to perform a piece of music at first sight without prior practice. It is considered one of the most important practical skills for any musician, tested by exam boards at every grade level.
More fundamental terms
Dynamics
View all fundamentalterms →The variation in loudness between notes or phrases in a performance.
TimbreThe characteristic quality of a sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another.
TempoThe speed at which a piece of music is performed.
KeyThe tonal centre that organises a piece of music around a specific note and scale.
MelodyA sequence of single pitches perceived as a coherent musical line.
Related
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →