RECOMMENDED SIGHT READING MATERIALS FOR BEGINNING LEVEL CLASSES
Four Star Sight Reading, by Boris Berlin (Frederick Harris)
Books 1-4 of this 10 volume set are useful. Focus is pitch and rhythm reading. Organized around daily practice assignments and weekly tests. Includes rhythms for clapping, and playback/clapback exercises. Books 1 and 2 have single line melodies in easy key signatures. Book 2 has extensions. Books 3 and 4 have hands together playing of independent melodic lines with extensions and cross overs. Book 3 has half notes in the left hand against quarters in the right. Book 4 includes eighth notes in the right hand and occasional triad inversions in the left.
Complete Sight Reading and Ear Training, by Elsie Bennett and Hilda Capp (Frederick Harris)
Similar leveling as the Four Star Series. Not organized into daily assignments.
A Line a Day, by James Bastien (Kjos)
Books 1-3 are appropriate. Generally follows the curriculum of the Bastien Piano Basics Method. Includes performance indications (articulation, dynamics, phrasing). More shifting of positions and left hand chord primary chord playing than the Four Star Series.
Mikrokosmos, by Bela Bartok (Boosey and Hawkes)
Book 1 appropriate, especially for intervallic reading and hands together playing of independent melodic lines. Occasional shifts. Minimal performance indications. Some accidentals. Good introduction to contemporary idioms - modes, unusual key signatures, etc.
Progressive Sight Reading Exercises for Piano, by Hannah Smith (now available through Hal Leonard)
We have an older copy called "Parts 1-2" that contains 124 carefully graded one-line exercises. Strictly pitch and rhythm reading, all within white-key five finger positions. Great for beginning intervallic reading from overheads. No key signatures or accidentals. Includes eighth notes, 3/8 and 6/8 meter.
Sight Read Successfully, by Louse Guhl (Kjos)
All 3 volumes are appropriate. Slightly unconventional approach, but worthy of consideration. Several useful features, especially "Patterns to Practice Every Day" in Book 1 and "Playing Without Watching Your Hands" in Book 2. Many shifts of position in Books 2 and 3. Good practice suggestions throughout. Uses entire staff from the beginning.
Step, Skip and Repeat, by Stephen Covello (FJH)
Two books, very basic; best for remedial work only. Book 1 has no hands together playing. Book 2 has hands together in parallel or similar motion only. Strictly pitch and rhythm reading. Includes accidentals, but no key signatures or eighth notes in either book.
Let's Sightplay! by Kathleen Massoud (FJH)
Four Books, early elementary through early intermediate. Organized into lessons containing several examples. Helpful features are "Sight Playing Chimes" (individual note recognition drills played with pedal) and "Theme and Variations." Book 1 has single line textures, minimal performance indications, no eighth notes. Book 2 has occasional hands together playing, easy shifts, more performance indications. Book 3 has eighth notes, hands together playing, easy thumb crossings, many accidentals, more shifts. Book 4 includes extensions to sixths, pedal, ledger lines, single eighth notes and rests.
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