C-D-E-F-G March
Lesson Book page 24
- Steps on the keyboard
- C five-finger scale (C position)
- Playing steps with five fingers
what's new
- Recognizing adjacent keys as steps
- Using adjacent fingers to play steps
- Understanding the C five-finger scale as a concept
what's important
let's get started
- Look at these notes marching up the steps. Point to them while I step up the keyboard.
- The notes step up, like the steps of a ladder. We call that a scale. The word "scale" comes from the word for "ladder".
- Place your RH thumb on C. Then step up the C five-finger scale. Place your LH fifth finger on C. Then step up the C five-finger scale.
- Look at the piece. Point to some repeated notes. Which notes are stepping? Point to the notes while I play the entire piece.
- Now I'll point while you play. Which hand begins?
A scale is a ladder. We can step up and down the ladder with our fingers.
explore and create
Stretch Out!
Play the LH one octave lower, or the RH one octave higher—or both!Rock 'n Roll March
Can you keep a steady tempo while I play some rock sounds? (Download duet)Outer Space March
This march is slower. Listen to the mysterious outer space music. I'll play a "Martian" accompaniment. (Download duet)Ear Tunes
Put your RH fingers over the C five-finger scale. Close your eyes. I'll play a short pattern (one octave lower). See if you can copy me.Ear Tunes for the Left Hand
Repeat the Ear Tunes Game. (The Ear Tune Games could also be played in lessons following the presentation of this piece.)
partner pages
Theory
pp. 12-13 Stepping in C Position, Alphabet Soup
- Step through the forest and track a bear. Then enjoy some hot alphabet soup to reinforce stepping up and down.
pedagogy pointers
Here's the first chance to use all five fingers, in each hand, playing on the white keys. The unstaffed notation is a clear picture of a rise and descent with repeated notes at the top and bottom.
The C five-finger scale is a new concept, and it's prepared well in advance of reading five-finger patterns on the staff. This is the natural order of learning—the experience comes before the definition.
accompaniments on disk
- CD Tracks 20-21
- MIDI File 10