How to practice for Smartmusic Sight-Reading Assignments
Smartmusic is a great tool to practice the skill of sight-singing at home, but receiving assignments that you only have 30 seconds to look at before it submits can be scary, and doesn't really give you time to practice, which is the whole point of it!
This page will show you how to practice before you do your Sight-Reading assignment.
This page will show you how to practice before you do your Sight-Reading assignment.
Windows/Apple Computer Instructions:
1. Log into Smartmusic and look for your class:
2. Click on your class to go to your "Class Page." It will look something like this:
This screen has a lot of information for you. At the top left, it will list any assignments you have that have not yet been completed. If the assignment is past due, it will be in red. If the due date is coming up, it will be in blue.
Notice the box below that is marked "Submitted assignments." This will tell you which assignments have been submitted, and the score you received on them. If I have graded it, and have made comments, you'll see the little green "talk box" next to it. If you click on that, it will show you the comments I sent back to you:
Notice the box below that is marked "Submitted assignments." This will tell you which assignments have been submitted, and the score you received on them. If I have graded it, and have made comments, you'll see the little green "talk box" next to it. If you click on that, it will show you the comments I sent back to you:
-It also shows you the Method Book we are using in class for sight-singing - "Sing at First Sight." This is important if you want to practice your sight-singing before doing the assignment. (And in case you didn't know it, you want to.
3. Take note of the name of the Sight Reading assignment
I name the sight-reading assignments by their exercise number so you can find it in the book and practice ahead of time! (You're welcome!) It's a good idea to write it down before moving on - this one is named "SR Practice, L1 - Pitch Exercise 8." Don't click on this yet!
4. Click on the blue "Sing at First Sight" book to access the exercises WITHOUT doing the assignment
5. Choose the reading exercise from the drop down menu
When you open the method book, it will automatically take you to the first exercise of the book. (Lesson 1 - Rhythm Exercise 1) Look for the drop-down menu at the top of the screen. (See below)
Click the drop-down menu to choose the Lesson and Exercise. (Note - you'll likely have to hit the double arrow up to change from lesson one to other lessons.)
6. Study the music and sing it until you feel ready to do the assignment
Remember: You're not actually doing the assignment yet! This is just practice for the assignment. You can practice this as many times as you like before doing the assignment, but you won't be able to submit any of these takes. Smartmusic will tell you which notes you are singing wrong - pay attention to this and listen to your recording!
You can do the practice as sight-reading (like we do in class) if you like - just hit "Start Take." You'll have 30 seconds to study the music (as in class) before singing:
You can do the practice as sight-reading (like we do in class) if you like - just hit "Start Take." You'll have 30 seconds to study the music (as in class) before singing:
After you record yourself singing it once, Smartmusic will tell you which notes you sang correctly, and which were wrong. Pay close attention to this and note where you made mistakes!
(Remember - the whole point of this is to get better at this, so use your mistakes to help yourself improve.)
(Remember - the whole point of this is to get better at this, so use your mistakes to help yourself improve.)
After you look for mistakes and take note of them, record it again to see if you can do better!
When you feel like you've got a good handle on the reading assignment, click "Done" to go back to the class page to do your assignment!