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In the Playing on the Black Keys "practice" module,
you will be applying the information from the previous "learn" module.
You'll be using your knowledge of how to count basic note values, how to keep a steady beat,
loud and soft dynamics, and the numbering of your fingers in various practice drills using only the black keys of the piano.
I'm going to talk about four different kinds of drills that you will practice in this section.
Rhythm drills are very fun activities that get you focused on counting while playing simple patterns on the black keys. Here are a few
practice tip.
practice tips.
Be sure to choose the correct hand to play with. Remember, upper pointing stems designate the right and and downward pointing stems
designate the left hand
The notes that you are seeing are called clusters.
There are clusters of two and three notes. The notes in a cluster are played together.
Always count yourself in with a slow and steady tempo before starting. Counting two bars is the best way.
I'll do No. 2, for the left hand.
It uses a cluster of three black keys.
One-two-three-four;
one-two-three-four;
one-one-one-one
one-two-three-four.
Finally, you'll notice that there are audio practice files for each of these examples. There are two for each example.
A slower one called "practice" and a faster one called "performance." Start with the "practice" tempo and
see if he can work your way up to the performance tempo.
When playing was an audio file, you'll hear a two-bar count-in. But you should also count-in. Counting aloud is important.
I'm going to try it with an audio file -
the "practice' version.
music playing
Reading drills are going to give you some practice with very basic, but important, elements of reading.
In addition to reading rhythms, you'll be reading fingerings and dynamics.
Notice how the notes are placed higher or lower on the page as they rise and fall in pitch. This is an important element of reading
the you will see again and again.
Here a few tips for reading house
Always start by looking a piece over. The first thing that you might notice is the rhythm.
Start by counting and tapping the rhythm until you feel comfortable with that element.
Next, you might notice the hand being used and the finger numbers. Remember, upward pointing stems are for the right hand and downward
pointing stems are for the left hand.
Notice that not all the notes have a finger number.
This is because only the first finger number is written when the same key is repeated.
Try playing this piece on your desk, carefully counting, before trying it on the piano.
This time as I play, I'm going to chant aloud the finger numbers that I am using.
one-two-three-four.
four - four - four
three- three- three - two
two - three - two
four.
This time when I do it, I'm going to count the rhythm.
one - two - three - four
one - one - one - two
one - one - one - one
one - two - one - one
one - two - three - four
Now, you're ready to try this at the piano.
First, locate where your hands go on the keyboard
as illustrated in the graphic.
In reading music, it is important to keep your eyes on the music and not on your hands, so that you can read ahead.
Although there are many times when it is OK to look at your hands while playing, reading from printed music is not one of them.
Don't begin to play until you have set a steady tempo and counted yourself in.
Count the entire time that you play.
music playing
This time, I'm going to chant the finger numbers. Notice the 'forte' dynamic.
That means I have to play it loud.
music playing
When playing with dynamics, use more wrist motion to make a louder sound. Try to really make a contrast between 'piano' and 'forte'
dynamics.
No. 2 uses 'forte' and 'piano' dynamics meaning I have to play parts of it loud and parts of it soft.
So notice what I do with my wrists to get those sounds.
music playing
Dexterity drills.
Practicing technical drills is part of learning the piano. This drill will help you get your fingers moving.
There are three different drills on this page.
Notice that each one is in a different location on the black keys.
Be sure that you can do all three smoothly. Watch the video to see how the experts look!
Aural playback drills will help you focus on your listening skills.
Listen to the upward and downward motion of the tune that you hear. Here's a tip - singing really helps you figure these out.
music playing