S2 MUSIC MODULES

KEYBOARD

S2 Module 3:

Step 1: exercises to separate the fingers

To play the keyboard, each of your fingers needs to be able to work independentlyof the others. This involves both the MIND and the MUSCLES.

In KEYBOARD playing, we number the fingers from the THUMB, 1 – 5 in each hand.

On your desk try to tap smoothly with each hand from to thumb to the pinkie and back. 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 21 and then repeat it 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1

Do each hand separately and then try them with the thumbs starting together.This is called CONTRARY MOTION.

Step 2: the same on the keyboard

Find middle C and try the 123454321 exercise again, hands separately and then together.

Red is the LEFT Blue is the RIGHT hand.

Notice that the BLACK notes are in TWOs and THREEs.C is the note to the LEFT of the TWO.

Step 3: 1st tune preparationRight Hand only: you need THREE different pairings of fingers for this tune:

First of all, find middle C again and then play 1 and 3 at the same time.

The notes are written like this:Play them several times. We willCall this POSITION 1.

Now do the same with fingers 2 and 4 (D and F). We will call thisPOSITION 2.

Finally, do the same with fingers3 and 5 (E and G). We will call thisPOSITION 3.

Step 3: 1st tune preparationExercises: to loosen up your fingers and get your brain in action, trythese exercises over and over again.First of all a reminder of the three positions:

P1. CE (1-3)

P2 DF (2-4)

P3 EG (3-5)

It is vital in music that you do not stop when youthink you have got it. Keep repeating over and over again. Psychologists call this PATTERNING.

Step 4: 1st tune RIGHT HANDFirst of all a reminder of the three positions:

P1. CE (1-3)

Here is exercise 2 again for anyone not ready to move on.

P2 DF (2-4) P3 EG (3-5)

The Big Tune: The Farmhouse

The tune uses SHORT and LONG notes: obey the colours.

P1 P3 P1 P3 P2 P2 P2 P1 P3 P1P3 P2 P2 P2

P1 P1 P1 P3 P3 P3 P3 P1 P3 P1 P2 P1

Step 4: RIGHT HAND with music

Ready to play with music.

Here is the colours version again for anyone not ready to move on.

The Farmhouse

SHORT and LONG

P1 P3 P1 P3 P2 P2 P2 P1 P3 P1P3 P2 P2 P2

P1 P1 P1 P3 P3 P3 P3 P1 P3 P1 P2 P1

Step 5: LEFT HAND

The Farmhouse

Here is the keyboard again: middle C is over on the right but we are now taking theLeft hand down into the Stygian gloom of the Bass notes. First of all find the CBelow middle C (to the left of the pair of black notes) and plonk youR 2nd FINGER onIt. This means your left thumb (1) goes on D. Put your left pinky on G.

Step 6: LEFT HAND cont

The Farmhouse

Now try this pattern: 2 5 2 5 1 5 1 5 2 5 2 5 1 5 1 5C G C G D G D G C G C G D G D G

Step 7: LEFT HAND COMPLETE

The Farmhouse Try the whole of the left hand:All of the notes are SHORT (1)Unless marked L (2).

Step 8: Starting to put it together

The Farmhouse

Now combine the two handsBy playing this 20 times:

Then try this one 20 times

Step 9: The Whole of line 1

The Farmhouse

You are now ready to play the whole of the first half of the piece.

Step 10: The Whole of line 2

The Farmhouse

Here is the second half of the piece – play it 20 times.

Performance The Farmhouse