Welcome to Get Piano Lesson 9.
Here we’ll continue learning piano by playing different note sequences in each hand at the same time.
Up until now, we've kind of had it easy. We started out (in Get Piano Lesson 1) by only having to concentrate on playing one hand at a time.
When we finally started learning piano with both hands, we first began playing a 15-note pattern in only one hand, while our other hand was relaxing away with only 8 notes.
We’ve always been able to focus our primary attention on just one hand, or the busier of our two hands whilst our other hand was only responsible for playing (and holding) one note.
But alas... some things in life never seem to get any easier. We too will begin stripping away our musical training wheels and start learning piano with separate note sequences in both hands!
Our next few assignments will truly test how well you have been learning piano thus far. These progressive exercises will discover very quickly whether or not you need to go back and review Get Piano Lesson 2, or possibly even Get Piano Lesson 3.
So are you up for the challenge?
Good, let’s get started...
Okay first off, just to show you I'm not the tyrannical piano instructor my piano teacher was back in my day, this next exercise will be a breeeeze!
This "tune-up" exercise is just designed to tenderly break you into the world of learning piano with ambidextrous fingering.
First let's get both sets of fingers into their proper C positions on our piano keyboard.
By now you should definitely know that learning piano would be impossible without our very special "numbered fingering system" (as seen in this diagram).
This numbering system will be absolutely imperative for playing the next sequence of notes with both hands.
Now let’s take a look at our next exercise...
Okay, okay... calm down. It only looks menacing. Trust me, it’s actually a “piece of cake”. This exercise is a little longer then the usual assignments we’ve had while learning piano.
Here we’ll need to play 17 notes in each hand. And yes, every single note in the right hand must be played at the same time as every single note in the left hand.
There is no time to rest one hand while the other hand plays the busier part. This time both hands are just as busy... and for a longer period of time too!
So why do I say it’s a “piece of cake”? Well, take a close look at the sequence of numbers written for both hands...
Notice anything similar?
Both the left and right-hand parts are written to play the exact same sequence of numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). That means that all you need to do is start off by playing the 1 fingers (thumbs) in both hands, then play the 2 fingers (index fingers) with both hands, the 3 fingers (middles), and so on. Easy! Right?
When you’re learning piano, many of the piano pieces you’ll play will test your hand-to-hand coordination the same way.
Exercise Five, (although long) is basically the equivalent of rubbing your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. That’s why I said it’s a “piece of cake” learning piano with this sequence of numbers.
Remember, as long as you’ve been learning piano using the “numbered fingering system” as your guide, you should be able to stare directly at this elongated line of numbers and know exactly which fingers need to be played.
If you prefer, play each hand separately first. And then when you’re finally convinced there’s nothing to fear, belt out both the top and bottom number sequences double-handed! (without looking at your fingers)
If you need help learning this piano exercise, just press the “Play” button to watch and listen to a demonstration of how this sequence of numbers should be played.
Only when you are convinced that this exercise truly is a “piece of cake” and can play it with no mistakes, continue on to your next real challenge...
Okay, now we’re going to work!
We’ve already got a feel for what it’s like learning piano with a similar group of numbers in both hands.
Now we are going to push our sight reading abilities a little further by assigning each of our hands a completely different set of numbers to play simultaneously.
Take a look at our next blackboard assignment...
This time, we have two long rows of numbers, one on top of the other, which are divided into eight shorter sections.
Notice how all the numbers on the top row (right hand) are lined up directly over all the numbers on the bottom row (left hand). This means that both left and right-hand numbers will be played together at the same time.
Now, notice how the top sequence of numbers is completely different from the bottom sequence of numbers. That means we’ll always be playing different notes in both hands at the same time.
Learning piano with a challenging exercise like this is good practice to help you prepare for your final examination.
Yes ... you read correctly!
There will be a final exam after we’ve polished up our sight-reading skills.
Come on... you didn’t think all these exercises were for nothing, did you? Yes, there will be a real test at the end of all this and you will receive a grade.
So let’s start learning this piano piece with your right hand first, then later with your left hand. When you feel ready to begin practicing with both hands, take your time and play it section by section.
If you have difficulty learning piano in one particular section, focus on that specific note sequence until you can play past that section and on to completion.
Don’t forget to press the “Play” button beneath the blackboard to watch and listen to how this challenging exercise should sound.
Now if you'd rather watch me perform
BOTH blackboard assignments first...
Just Check Out My
Now before you proceed on to your next assignments, I would strongly recommend that you master the materials on this page first. The following pages will have you learning piano lessons with a greater degree of difficulty in preparation for your final exam.
But if you've got everything under control, and can play these exercises without any mistakes, Click ahead to Get Piano Lesson 10 where we'll continue learning piano with an even more complex set of note patterns!