Sight-reading for piano students: Comparing three methods of assessment

Abstract

One important component of music reading research is measurement, quantification, and evaluation of accuracy in sight-reading performance. Researchers have used various methods of assessment such as the sight-reading tests and scales, quantification of errors, and evaluation by expert examiners. These three methods of assessment have been used independently in research; however, they have never been tested to determine if they provide comparable analyses. This study, therefore, adapted the Watking-Farnum Performance Scale for wind instrumentalists to be used in the context of piano performance and then compared it to the two other assessment methods, more specifically Gilman's Scoring Algorithm and Expert Examiners. Each method of assessment was used to analyze the sight-reading performances of eight piano students on five newly composed exercises. The assessment procedures and subject assessments were then compared. It was found that these methods differed greatly in their assessment procedures as well as in their assessment of subjects.