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 the overall 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 – an overview of the general “geography” of the piece.