Level 36 of 36 · Book IV: Moving around
Mixed sight-reading exercises: everything together
The top of the ladder: everything from the levels before, mixed. Each exercise can bring eighth notes, dotted rhythms, rests, accidentals, a third or sixth in the right hand and left-hand chords, in keys up to three sharps or flats.
- Hands together
- B♭, A, E♭, D, C or G major
- 4/4 time
- = 52 to start
8 different exercises, each 8 bars. Listen first, or play it yourself: the music waits for each note.
What level 36 adds
Exercises are in C, G, F, D, B♭, A or E♭ major. The right hand ranges a little wider than one position, and the left hand plays triads through I, ii, IV, V and vi, as halves and wholes.
What to watch for
- The key signature first: with seven keys possible, it is the first thing to check.
- Rhythm surprises: a dotted note or a rest can follow straight after eighths.
- Accidentals in a key with sharps or flats already: a natural may be the accidental.
How to practise it
- Take ten seconds before each exercise: key, time, the busiest bar, and any accidentals.
- Keep going whatever happens. At this level, not stopping is the skill.
- Mix it with earlier levels: when one thing keeps tripping you up, its own level is where to practise it.
Each exercise is new music, written for this level by the same generator the app uses, so you can’t have learned it by ear. Read it once before you play, keep a steady beat, and play on through mistakes. Play it yourself checks your notes from a MIDI keyboard, the mouse or your computer keys, and Print gives you the music alone, to read at the piano.
A new piece every day, at your level
Pianomi is the app these exercises come from. It listens to your MIDI keyboard, grades every note and every beat, and moves you up the 36 levels as your reading improves. It’s free.