3 Chord Patterns That Make Sight Reading 10x FASTER

Knowing chord patterns is one of the fastest ways to improve your sight reading skills. I'll share three chord patterns that can make your sight reading ten times faster. We'll explore these patterns with real musical examples, and I'll guide you on how to master them effectively. 

Pattern 1: Closed Broken Chords

Closed broken chords consist of notes that are close together. If played simultaneously, they form a chord. Recognizing these chords allows you to see patterns instead of individual notes, speeding up your sight reading. For instance, in "Moonlight Sonata," you can group twelve individual notes into four chord patterns, drastically simplifying the reading process.

This pattern also appears in the left hand of Mozart’s K545.

Instead of reading eight individual notes per measure, you can group them into two chords, making sight reading easier and faster.

Pattern 2: Out of Order Broken Chords

The second pattern involves out-of-order broken chords. In Chopin’s "Nocturne in B-flat Minor," the left hand plays broken chords that are spread apart and not in a sequential order.

By clumping these notes together, you form chords such as B-flat minor and F7. Recognizing these chords instead of reading individual notes simplifies the piece, making it easier for your brain and fingers to remember the music.

A similar pattern is seen in Brahms’ "Rhapsody No. 2." Here, complex measures can be broken down into chord patterns like B-flat major and B diminished, simplifying the sight reading process.

Pattern 3: Open Chord Jumps

The third pattern is open chord jumps, evident in Chopin’s "Nocturne in E-flat Major."

Open chord jumps involve playing different chords spread out across the keyboard. By recognizing these as chord patterns instead of individual notes, you can memorize and play them more fluidly.

This pattern also appears in Brahms’ "Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2," where the left hand jumps between chords and single notes. Viewing these jumps as units of broken chords rather than separate notes aids in faster sight reading.

Why These Patterns Matter

Recognizing chord patterns is crucial for sight reading because it reduces the complexity of the music. Instead of reading individual notes, you see patterns and chords, which your brain processes faster. This enables your hands to play with more freedom and fluidity.

Mastering chord patterns helps you understand music on a deeper level before you even play it, enhancing your sight reading speed and accuracy.

To see these exercises in action, check out the full length tutorial on the YouTube channel 👇🏻