The importance of sight -reading as an essential skill for pianists of all ages and abilities has been set out in books 1 and 2. Similarly, the principles set out in previous books still apply: the importance of realizing theoverall style, rhythm and tempo of a piece before you begin to play - the awareness of keys, chord and interval shapes, and overall melodic shape - and the need for a quick visual summary of repeat signs and changes in time - anoverview of the general geography of the piece.