Clair de lune from Scratch #26, Measures 17-18 Pt. 3
Monday, 21 September 2009 19:43 | 
Written by Hugh Sung | 
Now we put the left hand notes together, with some challenging hand position changes that will become more comfortable as you get familiar with the "landscape" of the keyboard and the physical shape of the chords. We explore some alternate fingers, with an encouragement to experiment to find the ones most comfortable for your hand size and shape.
Please let me know if I go too fast through this measure! If necessary, I can develop some practice exercises, depending on requests from folks participating in this series. Great job for following along up to this point!
Please let me know if I go too fast through this measure! If necessary, I can develop some practice exercises, depending on requests from folks participating in this series. Great job for following along up to this point!
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Last Updated (Tuesday, 29 December 2009 22:31)
Clair de lune from Scratch #25, Measures 17-18 Pt. 2Monday, 21 September 2009 19:41 | Written by Hugh Sung |
Recognizing that the right hand is playing mostly octaves again, we start by mapping the top notes. We also learn about "grace notes", a special kind of fast note that acts as a musical "decoration". We explore two sets of fingers for the right hand, one for smaller hands, the other for larger ones which provides for better finger connections ("legato", in Italian). The key rule for fingering is to always make sure it feels comfortable for your own hand, as everyone's hand is unique in shape and size. Last Updated (Tuesday, 29 December 2009 22:30) Clair de lune from Scratch #24, Measures 15-16 & 17, Part 1Monday, 21 September 2009 19:40 | Written by Hugh Sung |
Now that we've learned the notes for measures 15-16, we'll explore a couple of pedaling options. Be sure to review lessons 16.1 and 16.2 for the basics on pedaling if you haven't seen them before. We then start to look at the beginning of measure 17, by noticing a new French term for the "right hand" ("main droite") which helps play an extra note together with the left hand. I also give a quick overview of what we'll cover in the next lessons for measures 17-18. Last Updated (Tuesday, 29 December 2009 22:30) Clair de lune from Scratch #23, Measures 15-16, Part 3Monday, 21 September 2009 19:38 | Written by Hugh Sung |
After learning the raw notes, we talk about how to smooth out the entire passage without rhythmic "speed bumps". We develop some custom exercises to overcome the most dangerous spots in the passage by isolating them and focusing them in a separate document called a "Practice Journal" (my PJ's!) By developing smart practicing strategies instead of just plowing through note to note, we can speed our learning exponentially. Last Updated (Tuesday, 29 December 2009 22:30) Clair de lune from Scratch #22, Measures 15-16, Part 2Monday, 21 September 2009 19:38 | Written by Hugh Sung |
Now we add the left hand, noting that much of it uses the same notes. Also note how both hands are moving relatively parallel when put together. We also anticipate a potential practice problem that might create some "rhythmic roadblocks" - stay tuned for the next lesson, where I'll help you overcome/prevent them with some advanced practice and memorization techniques. Last Updated (Tuesday, 29 December 2009 22:30) |
