Show summary ▾ These sight reading exercises improve your sight reading of rhythms (hence, you know, the name of this playlist). There are multiple difficulty levels for each of these exercises, each working on sight reading using research-based practices (my PhD is in music education) that I used when I taught general music classes, band, and percussion ensembles. The easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read. Each of these difficulty levels and variations are available with 8th notes, triplets, 16th notes, duple and triple meters, swung variations, and more complex rhythms to help you learn how to sight read rhythms. Use timestamps in the description to select a specific bpm and have fun with any of these exercises that improve your timing and sight reading!

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Show summary ▾ This playlist focuses on foundational 8th note sight reading, helping you improve your real-time rhythmic processing and basic counting skills. These play-alongs are perfect for beginners or educators looking to solidify their grasp of simple meters and primary subdivisions. Use the timestamps in the description to practice at comfortable reading tempos, ensuring you read ahead of the beat and maintain a relaxed, consistent grip. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

All - Easy - Medium - Hard

Show summary ▾ The triplet sight reading exercises will challenge your ability to quickly interpret and perform triplet-based rhythms and rests without hesitation. Working through these play-alongs is crucial for developing a strong internal sense of triple meter and improving your swing or shuffle reading. Drop into the timestamps to find a tempo that challenges your eyes (and ears), focusing on keeping the underlying triplet rhythms consistent even when encountering complex syncopation. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

All - Easy - Medium - Hard

Show summary ▾ This playlist is designed to sharpen your 16th note sight reading chops, pushing you to instantly recognize and execute dense rhythmic groupings and syncopated partials. These exercises will massively improve your rhythmic vocabulary and reading confidence for 16th note passages. Utilize the timestamps in the description to practice at a manageable speed, making sure your sticking remains logical and your inner beats stay perfectly in time with the play-alongs. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

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Show summary ▾ These advanced sight reading exercises feature complex rhythms, odd groupings, and challenging syncopations designed to test the limits of your reading abilities. Seriously. They’re hard, so don’t beat yourself up if you struggle with these variations. Practicing these play-alongs will prepare you for demanding concert band, orchestral, or drum corps literature. Use the timestamps in the description to slowly decode the rhythms, focusing on maintaining a strong internal pulse and accurate mathematical subdivisions. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

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Show summary ▾ 12/8 meter look funny. Seriously, it’s confusing at times. But this 12/8 sight reading playlist helps you learn how to navigate dotted rhythms, duplets, and quadruplets within a triplet-based framework. These exercises are fantastic for improving your feel for marches and afro-cuban styles. Use the video timestamps to lock into the macro-pulse of the dotted quarter note, ensuring your reading stays smooth and musical across the barline. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

All - Easy - Medium - Hard

Show summary ▾ These swung sight reading exercises challenge you to apply a swing interpretation to written 8th note notation, testing both your reading skills and your stylistic feel. Perfect for jazz band preparation, these play-alongs will help you internalize the swung triplet subdivision. In fact, you could practice sight reading these with one or more limbs while playing an ostinato pattern to work on swung limb independence. Check the timestamps in the description to practice at different tempos. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.

All - Easy - Medium - Hard

Show summary ▾ These swung sight reading exercises challenge you to apply a swing interpretation to written 16th note notation, testing both your reading skills and your stylistic feel. Perfect for jazz band preparation, these play-alongs will help you internalize the swung triplet subdivision. In fact, you could practice sight reading these with one or more limbs while playing an ostinato pattern to work on swung limb independence. Check the timestamps in the description to practice at different tempos. Remember, the easiest variation of this exercise uses a "sound before sight reading" approach that plays a rhythm you hear first before echoing back the rhythm while displaying the western staff notation. The medium difficulty variation uses a "sight reading before sound" approach that teaches sight reading rhythms by displaying the rhythm before hearing (and playing) what they sound like. And the hardest variation uses a "sight reading ahead" approach that teaches you to read one measure ahead while sight reading by displaying the rhythm you're about to play while you play along with the previous measure that you just read.