Yankee Doodle

Lesson Book page 51

what's new

An introduction (of space-to-space skips)

what's important

Reinforcement of skips from space to space
Playing a familiar tune with good tone and spirit

let's get started

I'll bet you know this song. Let's sing Yankee Doodle before we play it.
Now let's count and tap the rhythm in measures 1-4. Tap with the correct hand for each note.
The first four measures of this piece are an introduction to the song. Are the notes stepping or skipping?
Which notes do you play in these measures? Which fingers play? Get ready to play and count.

Playing a well-known tune is satisfying.

explore and create

Special Pedal Effect
(Hold the pedal down while the student plays Mm. 1-4.) That makes the introduction sound really special. Would you like to hold the pedal? Perch on the edge of the bench and keep your heel on the floor.
Your Own G-B-D-F "Doodle"
Keep your fingers over the notes in Mm. 1-4. These are some "doodles" you might want to invent on your own. (Demonstrate a few patterns for the student to imitate.) (See video)
Fancy-Schmancy Yankee Doodle
Let's play a fancy duet version. After the introduction and the song, you improvise with G-B-D-F skips to my music. When I say, "Called it macaroni", return and play the song again. At the close, play Cs anywhere on the piano with a bang! (See Video and download duet)

Make your own "doodles"!

partner pages

Theory

p. 39 More About Skips

Eye-Training and Ear-Training allow students to visually recognize steps or skips, then listen for higher or lower two-note patterns.

Technique & Artistry

pp. 24-25 Wheels Going 'Round

Flowing space-to-space skips over the barline is the crux of this little etude.
Add dynamic changes and pedal for an artistic sound!

Performance

p. 25 The Happy Stream

There are three skips in this piece. Can you find and circle them?
There's one leap! Can you find and connect the notes with a wavy line like in the art?
When well learned, try the piece at an allegro tempo.

pedagogy pointers

An introduction is an exciting way to announce what's coming next. Using the space notes that cut across the staff from bass to treble creates a "dominant" flourish that prepares the way for a familiar tune. With the pedal down, the introduction sounds especially "big time". This might be a chance for the student to hold down the pedal if the student can reach the floor comfortably, or if you have a pedal extension.

accompaniments on disk

CD Tracks 68-69
MIDI File 34

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