Steady beat and five-finger tunes
Step 2 of L1. Keep a steady beat and play simple tunes in a five-finger position with either hand.
Skills: Finger independence, Relaxation, Rhythm
You are ready to move on when
- Clap and count out loud eight bars of quarter, half and whole notes in 4/4 at ♩=60 without stoppingCheck yourself: Record yourself clapping and counting a line of rhythm with a metronome at 60, then listen back with the click.
- Claps land exactly with the click
- Long notes held for their full count
- Counting out loud the whole time
- No stopping
- Play Ode to Joy with the right hand at an even beat, without stoppingCheck yourself: Record yourself playing the melody and compare it with the reference lesson.
- Steady beat, no speeding up
- Right notes and fingers
- No stopping to fix mistakes
- Relaxed wrist
- Play a five-finger exercise in C position with each hand at ♩=72, every note equally loudCheck yourself: Record each hand playing the exercise and listen back for notes that are louder, softer or late.
- Every note equally loud
- Even timing
- Fingers stay close to the keys
- No tightness in the forearm