Part 2: Controlling Two Notes in Each Hand (Exercise 3 & 4)
Welcome to our next sight-reading challenge! In this lesson, you’ll learn to manage two different notes simultaneously in each hand – a key skill in developing your piano technique.
Day 1: Introduction and Initial Practice
- Written Guidance: Before you start playing, read the ‘Detailed Breakdown of Exercises’ available in the Materials tab. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and how to approach the exercises.
- Video Guidance: Watch the lesson video and try to mimic what you see. This will help you grasp the basics.
- Sheet Music Practice: Shift to practicing with only the sheet music, reinforcing what you learned from the video.
- Exercise 3 – Audio Download: Grab the MP3 file available in the Materials tab.
- Play Along: Use the MP3 as your backing track to improve your timing and rhythm.
Day 2: Reinforcement and Mastery
- Focused Practice: Revisit the sheet music and practice repeatedly until you feel comfortable. Keep your eyes on the music as much as possible.
- Groove Along: Play along with the ‘Exercise 3 – A G notes groove.mp3’ again, focusing on keeping in sync with the groove.
After you’ve successfully completed the steps on Day 2, congratulate yourself – you’re now ready to progress to the next lesson. Remember, patience and consistent practice are your best tools in mastering these new skills.
Detailed Breakdown of Exercises 3 & 4 Follow these steps to master Exercises 3 & 4 effectively:
- Start with the Right Hand: Even if the sheet music and exercise seem simple and you feel eager to play with both hands, I recommend starting with just the right hand. This approach helps you focus on refining your technique without the added challenge of note finding.
- Then, the Left Hand: In the video, I demonstrate the exercise with the correct rhythm, but there's no need to match this immediately. Concentrate on playing the correct notes (A and G) with the right fingers. When practicing one hand at a time, saying the note names out loud can aid your learning.
- Bringing Hands Together: Once you feel confident with each hand separately, gradually bring them together, playing slowly and steadily. Counting aloud as you play is a great way to earn bonus points for rhythm!
- Find Your Tempo: As in previous lessons, strive for a tempo that feels challenging yet manageable. The ideal pace is neither too fast nor too slow but comfortably in the middle.
- Avoid Common Mistake #1: I demonstrate a common error in the video: using only the strongest finger for the entire exercise. Please avoid this habit. Stick to the specified fingering to ensure all your fingers develop equally.
- Avoid Common Mistake #2: Watch out for excessive hand movement, particularly moving in and out. This movement is generally unnecessary. Aim to keep your fingertips positioned over the keys, ready to play, even when not actively engaged. This practice helps prevent your fingers from drifting away from the keyboard.
By adhering to these steps and being mindful of common pitfalls, you'll not only execute the exercises accurately but also lay a strong foundation for more advanced piano playing. Patience and a focus on detail are crucial for enhancing your piano skills.
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