actually what has been retarding my process is a) lousy sense of rhythm (and this holds true for my singing lessons as well)
You should practise sight-reading rhythm on its' own.
Two books I would recommend are 'flip a rhythm' (boosey and hawkes), and 'sight reading - the rhythm book' (mel bay publications).
In reading music, you are essentially reading two things - pitch and rhythm. The first part in developing sight-reading is to be able to read the rhythm of the piece accurately. If you can do this, it 'frees up' your mind to concentrate on pitch. Consequently, the two feed off of each other, and after a short while, both will become fluent.
Here's a guide to practising sight-reading rhythm:
(PS all of these are to be done whilst using a metronome)
1) tap the rhythm of the piece in your RH
2) as for 1, only also count the main beats out loud (e.g. '1 2 3 4'). If this is too difficult, count the subdivisions also (e.g. if you have quavers, count the quavers). But ultimately you want to be able to count the main pulse out only. The subdivisions should become internalised.
3) repeat steps 1 and 2, only this time tap a metronome beat gently (i.e. just your index finger) in your LH. Tap the rhythm loud in your RH. To get this really good, lift your RH high when tapping the rhythm, and keep your LH against your leg when tapping, making sure only the finger taps.
fingering. i understand that i am supposed to press on the fret with the very tip of my fingers. however, my nails always get in the way despite the fact that i have trimmed it as short as it can go. i wonder if my nails will 'morph' or develop as i practise more such that it doesn't stick out? i don't really know how to describe it... like even when i trim till the pinkish part, it still gets in the way.
Where are you holding in on the fret?
You are meant to have your finger as high as possible in the fret, without actually touching the upper fretwire e.g. when you are holding in a 1st fret note, your finger should be just before the actual
1st fretwire. Many people play with their fingers in the middle of the fret. This is wrong. More pressure is needed here. The least amount of pressure is needed when you play just behind the upper fretwire.
You said 'i understand that i am supposed to press on the fret with the very tip of my fingers' - could you explain
why you should do this?
I'm not saying you shouldn't, but curious as to whether you were taught the correct reason for doing this.
PS if you understand the reason why, then the problem will be solved
With regards to your nails - put your fingers out straight. With a RH finger, touch the end of your finger at a right angle. You should feel skin before you feel nail. If you feel nail, then your nails are too long.
