• previous page
• menu of all pages
• next page

• Download duet
• Print this page

Rodeo

Lesson Book page 44

let's get started

1. Can you say the alphabet backwards from C?
2. (Point to the example at the top of the page.) Line-Space-Line. C-B-A.
3. Check out measures 1 and 2. Try it out. First down, then up.
4. Which RH finger plays G? What's the only note the RH plays in line two? Let's visit the rodeo!

A motive from a piece can become part of an improvisation.

explore and create

• A New Kind of Rodeo

  Work at the piece in 2-measure sections. Play a two-measure introduction. Student answers playing Mm. 1-2. Play another two-measure introduction. Student answers playing Mm. 4-5. Continue this way through the piece. (See video and download duet)

• Slow Horse

  What would an old, slow rodeo horse sound like? (Play Mm. 1-2 slowly as an introduction for the duet.)

• Faster Horses

  Some horses run faster. Let's try a white horse who's a bit quicker. How about an even faster black horse? The race is on! Who's the winner? (See video)

• Student Ostinato

  Have the student play the first two measures as an ostinato, lower on the piano, and with two hands: Ro-de-o, Ro-de-o! (You improvise over the ostinato.) (See video and download duet)

Working in small sections shows the student how to practice.

partner pages

Theory

p. 33 Learning A

• Reinforce Bass Clef A. Complete the story for Cat Paws on the Piano by naming, then playing the notes.

Technique & Artistry

p. 20 Walking the Thumb

• Perching the thumb on the side tip controls wrist height and helps prevent a sagging wrist.
• This sequential stepping pattern should be memorized so students may watch their thumb perch as they play.
• The hand shifts allow students to "break out" of a stationary hand position. It also promotes thinking in patterns and quick memorization.

pedagogy pointers

The reading range in the left hand expands to A. It's easy to find by stepping down from Middle C. The many repeated notes in the piece provide a "bounce" for the rodeo. When the left hand is more active (measures 5-7), the right hand remains on G so the focus can be on the bass staff and the new note.

accompaniments on disk

• CD Tracks 56-57
• MIDI File 28

^back to top

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

see it in action

Teaching Video 43

Ingrid finds A on the top line of the bass staff by saying the alphabet backwards from Middle C. That starts the rodeo. After her right hand puts finger 3 on G, the piece is ready. How easy to play the second line if the right hand only plays G.

It's fun to play two measures at a time following a two-measure introduction.

Some horses and broncos are slower, some are faster. The "blue" horse turns out to be the winner.

And then a magic way to use the new note! C-B-A becomes a two-hand "rodeo" ostinato low on the keyboard. When the teacher plays rockin' rodeo music over the ostinato, the race is on!

Ask Yourself

• What does the teacher do with the accompaniments to convey tempo and mood?
• What experiences does the ostinato/duet at the end offer the student?

Dial-up users: Click to play with RealPlayer (low quality)