Music Lessons - Introduction to Piano/Keyboard
Lesson 8
Welcome to lesson eight. This lesson features the three four time signature, the dot after a note, quaver note, semibreve note, crotchet quaver and semibreve rests, staccato, three note slurs.
A word highlighted in gold, signifies that you will have some practice to carry out. The word 'key-bed' is indicated in a green font, and only applies to the piano.
Three Four Time Signature
A word highlighted in gold, signifies that you will have some practice to carry out. The word 'key-bed' is indicated in a green font, and only applies to the piano.
Three Four Time Signature
Above is the Three Four Time Signature. This means three beats in each measure, and a crotchet receives one beat. The accentuation is strong for the first beat, and weak for the second and third beats. Music moves in twos or threes. This is an instance of music moving in threes. A waltz is in three four time.
Clap and say aloud 'ONE TWO THREE ONE TWO THREE'.
Clap and say aloud 'STRONG WEAK WEAK STRONG WEAK WEAK'.
Emphasize the strong accents with your voice and your clapping. Some of the arm muscles you use here are the same muscles you will use in your keyboard playing.
The Dot After a Note
Clap and say aloud 'ONE TWO THREE ONE TWO THREE'.
Clap and say aloud 'STRONG WEAK WEAK STRONG WEAK WEAK'.
Emphasize the strong accents with your voice and your clapping. Some of the arm muscles you use here are the same muscles you will use in your keyboard playing.
The Dot After a Note
A dot placed after a note means to hold on to the note for half as long again as the original note value. A dot is often placed after a minim, and the note would be held for 2 + 1 = 3 counts.
Also, a dot is often placed after a crotchet, and the note would be held for one + half = one and a half counts.
Also, a dot is often placed after a crotchet, and the note would be held for one + half = one and a half counts.
We could count it like this 1 2
half half half half
However it is often counted one and two and
(The words in red are not part of the one and a half counts).
On your piano or keyboard, using your right hand, start on middle C with your thumb (number 1) and play up to G. Count aloud saying 'ONE AND TWO AND'. Play the note on 'ONE AND TWO'. Lift the note just as you are about to say 'AND' (after you say 'TWO'). Later we will play a short note here.
Using your left hand, start on the C one octave below middle C with your little finger (number 5) and play up to G.
Quaver Note
half half half half
However it is often counted one and two and
(The words in red are not part of the one and a half counts).
On your piano or keyboard, using your right hand, start on middle C with your thumb (number 1) and play up to G. Count aloud saying 'ONE AND TWO AND'. Play the note on 'ONE AND TWO'. Lift the note just as you are about to say 'AND' (after you say 'TWO'). Later we will play a short note here.
Using your left hand, start on the C one octave below middle C with your little finger (number 5) and play up to G.
Quaver Note
A quaver note receives half a count. There are often two or four beamed together.
On your keyboard using middle C play two quavers saying 'ONE AND'. Now play four quavers saying aloud 'ONE AND TWO AND'.
On your keyboard using middle C play two quavers saying 'ONE AND'. Now play four quavers saying aloud 'ONE AND TWO AND'.
A single quaver often follows a dotted crotchet, and together this is called dotted rhythm. Dotted rhythm has a long short feel about it. Place your right hand in middle C position on the keyboard and play up to G and back to middle C, saying 'ONE AND TWO' and the quaver plays for 'AND' (after TWO). Clap the quaver note more lightly (with less weight) than the longer dotted crotchet, and also play it more lightly. The final note middle C should be played as a minim 'ONE AND TWO AND' OFF. You must say the word 'OFF'. This is a good counting habit for the final note of any piece, as it ensures your counting is correct for this note. The dotted crotchets should be played with more weight than the quaver notes.
Also play the same exercise with your left hand the same notes one octave lower start with your left hand 5th finger on second space C.
Semibreve Note
Also play the same exercise with your left hand the same notes one octave lower start with your left hand 5th finger on second space C.
Semibreve Note
A semibreve note receives four counts.
Crotchet Rest
Crotchet Rest
A crotchet rest receives one count of silence.
Quaver Rest
Quaver Rest
A quaver rest receives half a count of silence.
Semibreve Rest (Whole Measure Rest)
Semibreve Rest (Whole Measure Rest)
A semibreve rest is a black oblong box that hangs from the fourth line of the staff, and receives four counts of silence. It is also used in any time (i.e. Three Four, Two Four, Six Eight) when the whole measure is to be silent for the required duration of that time.
Staccato
Staccato
Staccato is indicated by a dot under or over a note. It means to play the note short and detached. Play middle C to G with your right hand up and back legato (connected). Now play these notes the same way (as if you were playing legato) but let the notes come up. You have now played the notes staccato.
Play the same exercise one octave lower with your left hand.
Using all keys learned so far (if the piano/keyboard intro class has been completed) in the five-finger positions play this exercise legato, then staccato. Play the exercises with the right hand, then with the left hand
Keys learned to date (if the piano/keyboard intro class has been completed) are as hereunder:-
C major
G major
D major
A major
E major
B major
F sharp (G flat) major
C sharp (D flat) major
F major
The keys in brackets are the enharmonic equivalents i.e. the same scale but with flats in the key signature.
Three Note Slurs
Play the same exercise one octave lower with your left hand.
Using all keys learned so far (if the piano/keyboard intro class has been completed) in the five-finger positions play this exercise legato, then staccato. Play the exercises with the right hand, then with the left hand
Keys learned to date (if the piano/keyboard intro class has been completed) are as hereunder:-
C major
G major
D major
A major
E major
B major
F sharp (G flat) major
C sharp (D flat) major
F major
The keys in brackets are the enharmonic equivalents i.e. the same scale but with flats in the key signature.
Three Note Slurs
A three-note slur is three notes connected with a slur. It is played almost the same way as a two note slur; with an up down on first note, up a little on the second note, and float off on the third note. Play three note slurs from C to G. Say aloud as you play 'UP DOWN - UP A LITTLE - FLOAT OFF. On the word 'FLOAT' you should be playing the third note of the three-note slur, and when you say the word 'OFF' your wrist should be approximately a few centimetres higher with finger tips remaining fairly close to the keys.
To make the above clearer, here it is again:-
'UP DOWN - UP A LITTLE - FLOAT OFF.
PLAY - PLAY (then up a little) - PLAY (as you are floating off).
If you find this difficult to understand, don't worry. Also play the same exercise one octave lower with your left hand.
Play the three note slurs using all the keys as above, using right hand then left hand one octave lower. Use finger numbers 1 2 3, 2 3 4, 3 4 5 with your right hand, and finger numbers 5 4 3, 4 3 2, 3 2 1 with your left hand.
Here are five pieces for you to practise. Each piece contains elements learnt in this week's lesson. The left hand does not have much to do. Try to play the pieces as well as you can. Some of you may like to try a left hand of your own creation. I will include these pieces in next week's lesson with notes in the bass. Plenty of separate hand practice is very helpful in learning a new piece.
Slurring
To make the above clearer, here it is again:-
'UP DOWN - UP A LITTLE - FLOAT OFF.
PLAY - PLAY (then up a little) - PLAY (as you are floating off).
If you find this difficult to understand, don't worry. Also play the same exercise one octave lower with your left hand.
Play the three note slurs using all the keys as above, using right hand then left hand one octave lower. Use finger numbers 1 2 3, 2 3 4, 3 4 5 with your right hand, and finger numbers 5 4 3, 4 3 2, 3 2 1 with your left hand.
Here are five pieces for you to practise. Each piece contains elements learnt in this week's lesson. The left hand does not have much to do. Try to play the pieces as well as you can. Some of you may like to try a left hand of your own creation. I will include these pieces in next week's lesson with notes in the bass. Plenty of separate hand practice is very helpful in learning a new piece.
Slurring
Practise very slowly at first, counting the time (one and two and three and four and) aloud. As you become more familiar with the piece, increase the tempo (speed).
Three Note Slurs
Three Note Slurs
Count one two three, as there are no quavers in the piece.
Dotted
Dotted
Count one and two and three and four and, as there are quavers in this piece.
Waltz in A
Waltz in A
Count one and two and three and, as there are quavers in this piece.
Waltz in E
Waltz in E
Count one and two and three and, as there are quavers in this piece.
Please complete the quiz, enjoy playing, and I look forward to seeing you next lesson.