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Scales hands together and articulation

Step 1 of L3. Play scales hands together and control the difference between legato and staccato.

Skills: Articulation, Rhythm, Scales

You are ready to move on when

  1. Play C, G and F major scales hands together, one octave, at ♩=60Check yourself: Record the three scales with a metronome at 60 and compare how your thumbs cross with the reference video.
    • Thumbs cross at the same moment in both hands
    • Hands exactly together
    • Even, steady notes
    • Relaxed shoulders
    Open the reference: Playing scales hands together
  2. Play a passage that mixes legato slurs and staccato notes with a difference you can clearly hearCheck yourself: Record the passage and listen back with the score, marking any note where the touch is unclear.
    • Legato notes connected without overlapping
    • Staccato notes short and light
    • Clear difference on the recording
    Open the reference: Legato and staccato
  3. Play eighth notes and dotted rhythms evenly with a metronome at ♩=80Check yourself: Record a passage with eighth notes and dotted rhythms against a metronome at 80 and listen back with the click.
    • Eighth notes even
    • Dotted rhythms not rushed
    • In time with the click
    Open the reference: Dots and ties
All L3 resourcesNext: Step 2 of L3 · Pedal and dynamics