My new Very Clever Trick for getting kids to practice piano more.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (207511)
Walnut Creek, California
May 9, 2024 10:58am CST
I was able to capture my good friend Alee's attention yesterday by getting her to practice her scales with both hands, but a third apart. What the heck does that mean? If she plays a C-scale, C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C, with her left hand, she should play E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E with her right hand. Each note in the right hand will be a third above the note in the left hand. That generates "pretty harmonies" all the way up the scales.
"That's pretty!" she said. "Let me do it again!" Buwaahaahaa!
I even wrote it out for her in notes, to reinforce the connection between written notes and notes on the piano.
Later, I tried the same thing with another student. "That's pretty!" Heh.
I've been doing this for years on guitar (doing scales in harmony with my students). Why did I not think to do it on piano before?
I will attach a love song that relies partially on vocal harmony for the beauty of the chorus. Check it out if you have time. It's by the Seldom Scene, one of my favorite bluegrass bands. We all know how much @Vandana7 enjoys my choices of love songs. Maybe she'll like this one too.
Have you ever had an "aha" experience and added something new to your repertoire, whether it be in writing, art, socializing, getting rich, or whatever?
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8 people like this
8 responses
@kaylachan (58995)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 May
That's really a good way to do it.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (207511)
• Walnut Creek, California
9 May
Here's another really good example of harmony singing. @Just4Him and I were discussing the National Anthem, and how one should not take Big Liberties with it. This is my favorite all-time version of that song.
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1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158796)
• United States
9 May
Why does the Bluegrass sound like Country? I'm sure I've had some "aha" moments in my life. Have a good afternoon and evening.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (158796)
• United States
9 May
@TheHorse Now I know why I didn't care for that song.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74146)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 May
Being so cleaver you'll get them playing the piano faster,
1 person likes this