Hi there. I am trying to improve my sight reading as a pre grade 1 adult learner. I am using the Paul Harris imorive your
sight reading book. Does any one know the psychology behind these books? If I repeatedly cover the exercises in the book,
will I improve my ability to spot notes quicker and transfer these skill to fresh pieces of music? Or am I going to go over the exercies,
and after time memorise the exercises without really gaining any better abilites as a sight reader. I hope my question makes sense.
Thanks for your repiles and thoughts.

I haven't seen the pre-G1 book, but if it's the same format as the graded books, then there are rhythmic exercises (which you sing/clap) and melodic patterns in addition to the actual sight reading exercises. I think these can be practised repeatedly since keeping steady pulse/rhythm and recognizing patterns are important sight reading skills.

However, I don't think going over and over the sight reading exercises themselves would help improve your skill much; once you've played the pieces a few times, you don't really "sight" read anymore so better find something fresh. There are lots of sight reading books in the market, or borrow from the library (if there's a good one near you), or simply print something off the internet. You don't have to always stick to pre-G1 pieces either; for pieces beyond your ability, just try one bar (or even one beat) at a time, hand separately (or, say, if it's a chord, play just the top or bottom note); at this stage, you aren't trying to actually play those pieces but simply spotting the notes anyway.

I think there is a recent thread on sight reading here in Viva Piano; lots of good advice there if you haven't seen.

Nice one. Thanks for your time and your reply. I will look at getting some new books over the next few weeks.

I agree with Panthera - play anything and everything you can get your hands on as often as possible - it's the only way really

I bought all the Paul Harris sight reading books a couple of years back, the rythmic exercises are what makes them different. Initially i bought several for my daughter and thought they were really good, so i got the rest of them, and i've gone through them quite a bit myself now.

I Like these books and currently use them for all my grades.

I'm also an adult learner and find the Paul Harris books very useful. I've just finished going through the Grade 2 book for about the fourth time and with regular practice have improved. Don't worry about speed, rhythmic accuracy is the most important then notes, then dynamics and then speed. By the time I get to the end of the book there is no way I can remember the first ones. I feel it is better to get a good sound base and be able to do grade 2, or whatever grade, well than trying to force it and rush and make a complete mess of a piece and gwetting demoralised. Also lots and lots and lots of practice. I actually enjoy site reading and feel it is absolutely fundamental to good playing. Good luck!!