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Notes on sight reading, and how musicians actually get better at the piano.

A close-up of a digital metronome displaying its tempo settings

8 June 2026 · 7 min read

How long does it take to learn piano sight reading?

How long does it take to learn piano sight reading? Five minutes a day shows progress within a month; here are honest timelines by starting level.

An opened music sheet book resting on top of an upright piano

29 May 2026 · 8 min read

Why is piano sight reading so hard?

Piano sight reading is hard because it’s a different skill from playing, and modern learning by imitation makes the gap worse. Here’s why, and the fix.

A close-up of musical notation on a sheet of paper

29 May 2026 · 8 min read

How to export MusicXML from MuseScore, Sibelius, Finale, and Dorico

A no-nonsense guide to exporting MusicXML from every major notation app, plus what to do with the file once you have it.

A young child sits at a piano with simple sheet music on the stand.

24 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Initial Grade

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Initial Grade piano sight reading, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A concert grand piano on a softly lit stage, lid raised.

24 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 8

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 8 piano sight reading, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A pianist in dark clothing performing on a lit stage, hands at the keyboard.

24 May 2026 · 14 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 7

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 7, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A close-up view inside a grand piano, showing the strings, tuning pins, and golden cast-iron frame.

24 May 2026 · 13 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 6

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 6, how to prepare for irregular meters and pedalling, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A close-up of white and black piano keys lit by soft light.

24 May 2026 · 13 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 5

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 5, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

An upright piano in a quiet room with sheet music on the stand.

24 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 4

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 4 piano sight reading, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

An open page of vintage piano sheet music with handwritten markings.

24 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 3

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 3 piano sight reading, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A pair of hands at a wooden piano keyboard, captured close.

24 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 2

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 2 piano sight reading, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A close-up of old piano sheet music resting on a wooden upright piano.

24 May 2026 · 12 min read

How to practise piano sight reading at Grade 1

What ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, RCM, MTAC and AMEB expect at Grade 1, how to prepare, and which pieces in SightReader fit the level.

A pianist practising at a keyboard while consulting a tablet

22 May 2026 · 10 min read

The best piano sight-reading apps in 2026: a side-by-side comparison

Every major piano sight-reading app compared. Real-piece readers vs note-recognition drills, with notes on which suits which kind of player.

A young pianist at the keyboard with sheet music in front of her

15 May 2026 · 10 min read

How to improve piano sight reading: working smarter, not harder

A practical approach to piano sight reading, drawn from neuroscience research on how musicians actually learn. Five minutes a day, done right.