Hello, and welcome back. I'm Joseph Hoffman.
Today we're learning how to play the left hand of "Spinning Song"
and we'll also be trying putting it hands together.
So let's come over to the staff to check out
where we're going to be playing the left hand.
Okay let's review the various C's on the staff that we've learned so far.
Point to which one is middle C.
If you're pointing here, you're correct.
Now on the piano here, which would be middle C?
Point to it.
If you're pointing here, you're correct.
Now which of these C's is treble C?
Point.
If you're pointing here, you're correct.
The green note is treble C.
Now where would treble C be on this piano?
Can you point to it?
If you're pointing here, you're correct.
This green C is treble C.
Now down here in the bass clef we have bass C.
An easy way to remember where C is in treble and bass clef
is the treble clef is three spaces up.
Three rhymes with C.
And in the bass clef it's three spaces down.
Now where is bass C on this piano?
If you're pointing here, you're correct.
Now in "Spinning Song" our right hand is on treble C
and our left hand is on bass C but no one is on middle C
so our hands will feel a little bit far apart in this song.
Now let's look at the sheet music for "Spinning Song".
Alright let's check out the time signature of "Spinning Song".
You'll recall that the time signature is right here.
It's always placed at the beginning of a song.
It's these two numbers stacked together.
The top number tells us how many beats will be inside each measure.
So it looks like we're going to have four beats in a measure.
So for this song I'd like you to count one, two, three, four
for each beat that we have in each measure.
Notice every quarter note gets one beat.
What's happening down here in the left hand?
We have a whole note.
Do you remember how many beats a whole note gets?
If you said four, you're correct.
So this one note will last the whole measure long for all four beats
so while we're playing all four of these notes,
we'll play this one note in the left hand and just hold it.
Now we're going to practice tapping the rhythm of "Spinning Song"
and counting the beat out loud.
We'll tap the right hand notes with our right hand
and we'll tap the left hand part with our left hand.
Measure one will look like this.
We'll tap together on beat one.
One, two, three four
and then while our left hand holds our right hand will keep tapping.
Okay now let's try it together.
We're just going to do this first line.
I want you to count the beat out loud and tap the rhythm with me.
Whenever we have a beat one we'll tap together
and the left hand will hold for the full measure.
Ready go. One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
One, two, three, four.
Good. Now let's look at the next line.
What does the rhythm of the left hand do here?
We have a whole note for four beats, another whole note
and now we have two half notes.
Do you remember how many beats a half note gets?
If you said two beats, you're correct.
So we'll play one, two and then on beat three the left hand will play again
as the right hand plays this D.
And then on beat four the right hand will play again
while the left hand is continuing to hold the G.
And then both hand play a whole note.
One, two, three, four.
I always like to practice the trickiest part first so let's start right here
and we'll play to the end.
I meant to say that we'll tap to the end.
So starting right here tapping.
It will look like this.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Let's try that one more time starting in the same place.
Ready go.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Now let's try doing this whole last line tapping
and counting the beat out loud.
Ready go.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Now let's take a look at what notes the left hand will be playing.
We already said that the first note the left hand plays is a bass C.
Now can you figure out what note it plays next?
What's the letter name for this note?
If you said a G, you're correct.
Now here's a little bit of review from last lesson.
Do you remember what interval it is from C to G?
If you said a 5th, you're correct.
From C to G is the distance of five notes or five fingers.
So we call that up a 5th.
Now let's name all the notes in the left hand.
We have a C, G, then what?
That's right, it's another C. And then a G.
C. G. C. G. C.
We're playing 5ths the whole song.
It should be pretty easy in the left hand.
Let's try it out on the piano.
So for this song we'll use this C for the bass C
and then when we need a G we'll use this G up above,
the interval of a 5th.
Now since you're getting so good at playing,
you're not even going to need to watch my hand.
Let's keep our eyes in the music
and see if you can not even look at your own hand.
Keep your eyes on the notes as you play.
You're just going to be doing a C and a G
and you know where those notes are anyways.
So keep your eyes here in the music and let's count the beat out loud as we play.
Ready here we go. Let's try it together. Ready go.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Good. Remember to count out loud as you do this.
That will help develop your sense of rhythm and steady beat.
Now this time I'll play the right hand while you play the left hand.
Let's see what the two will sound like together.
It's very important you count out loud so we stay together.
Remember I'm going to be playing a faster rhythm.
One, two, three, four.
I'll be playing on every beat but you're going to be playing whole notes mostly
and some half notes.
So you'll be holding your notes as I play mine.
If you count with me we'll be able to stay together.
Let's try it.
You'll have your left hand down in the bass C pentascale while I play up high.
Here we go. Follow along in your music and count out loud.
Ready go.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Once you're able to do that comfortably,
I think you're ready to try it hands together.
To do this hands together, place both hands in your position
and then just count out loud and remember to hold the left hand
as your right hand plays its notes.
I'll show you what it's going to sound like when you do it hands together.
Once you're comfortable playing it hands together,
I want to give you some super challenges.
That will be to try playing it in some other major pentascales.
I want you to try transposing it to the D major pentascale,
E, F and G major pentascales.
If you want to try to make it a spooky version,
you could even try doing it in D minor pentscale.
Great job today working on "Spinning Song".
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.