Recommend a system or resources for learning to read

[P. Aaron]

I can read music - like a kindergartner reads words, painfully and slowly.
I know that if I put even 10 minutes a day into systematically improving my reading, I'd get better.
What do you recommend for learning/improving reading?

I've been using this tool since SIMANDL 2 has tenor clef exercises in it:

https://www.notationtraining.com/tenor-clef-practice

One can also change the reader to bass, treble, and alto. There are even treble clef chord exercises.
Plus, it times one's efficiency on each exercise.

 

[P. Aaron]

Here's another couple you could try...
View attachment 4499434

I use an intermediate bassoon book. I've also burned through SIMANDL (again) SIMANDL 2, Libon, Storch and one other during the whole Covid mess and I am now repeating them all. Some pieces require at least a 24 fret neck which means the expensive stuff gets stashed and I end up using the $400 DanElectro to play the high notes.

 

[P. Aaron]

LOL. You described me right there.

Maybe we'll both find the magic 10 minute a day cure here . Subbed.

I've made a habit of...getting up by 5:00AM, getting coffee brewed and before I turn on anything music, news, or any other stimulus, I run through standard books like a SIMANDL edition. I can go about an hour before the pain becomes a problem. Being in front of a music stand for a longer period of time is like being on a small stage where one can't move much.

To get decent at reading, one needs time. Block it out and find a place where outside media, noise can't interfere. And, occasional lessons from a reading pro so one can get their work 'peer' reviewed. Fortunately, I have a few friends I can call that help me with reading rhythmic challenges.

Staying with it is key. Some pieces will come easier than others...just like any song one has to learn.

 

[lfmn16]

There are no tricks, secrets or shortcuts. It's hard work learning to read proficiently. It just takes practice - every single day. Grab some music, set the metronome and force yourself to plow ahead no matter how many mistakes you make. If you work at it, you'll get better.

 

[WrapRough]

There are no tricks, secrets or shortcuts. It's hard work learning to read proficiently. It just takes practice - every single day. Grab some music, set the metronome and force yourself to plow ahead no matter how many mistakes you make. If you work at it, you'll get better.

This.

It's hard man. Achievable but hard. I finish an etude and I can feel my brain relax.

There's a reason not many people can read well!

I'd go so far as to say it's easier to get very good at playing the bass than it is to get very good at sight-reading music, at least for me.

 

[lfmn16]

There's a reason not many people can read well!