The recent sight reading thread mentions the benefits of accompanying and playing with other musicians. This is one thing I never have the opportunity to do. I was wondering how to get a similar benefit (as a way to improve my sight reading ability) and it occurred to me that perhaps using a metronome during sight reading practice would be helpful.

Does anyone do this? If yes, why and ho helpful is it? If no, why not? Any thoughts in general?

Thanks.

It's helpful in two ways.

1) It keeps you honest.

2) If you can't stay with it, then you know the repertoire is too difficult.

With or without a metronome, it's always good to feel a pulse.

I used a metronome for this, and it's very helpful,

BUT

it doesn't help as much as playing with others, because you can still stop and correct errors, whereas when playing with others, that's just not an option.

Even though I tell myself "I will not stop no matter what!" I still sometimes go back to replay a missed note.

metronomes are invaluable for group players Shiro.