Songs to play in C

1Hands together, step by step

1. Learn the right hand alone until it is easy.
2. Learn the left hand alone. In these songs it plays only long notes on C and G, in C position: little finger (5) on C and thumb (1) on G.
3. Put the hands together very slowly. The left hand changes note on beat 1, at the same moment as the right hand.
4. Count out loud, so that the long left-hand notes last their full length.

2Song 1: Mary Had a Little Lamb (both hands)

You read this tune in four-four time in Unit 5. Now the right hand plays the tune and the left hand holds one long note in each bar.

The left hand plays C in most bars and moves to G in bars 3 and 7, where the tune sits on D. Try it with a partner first: one of you plays the right hand and the other the left, then swap.

3Song 2: Work Together

In P4 you met The Umuganda Song. Here Ganzaa has set its chorus to a tune in C. Sing it first, then play it: the tune in the right hand, and long C and G notes in the left hand.

Line 1 ends on D and sounds unfinished, like a question. Line 2 ends at home on C. In the last bar the left hand plays two minims, G then C, so it changes on beat 3.

4Add a left hand to Ode to Joy

Play Ode to Joy from the last lesson with your right hand, and add one long left-hand note in each bar: C, G, C, G, C, G, C. In bar 8, play G for two beats and then C for two beats.

5Performing

• Before you start, count one bar out loud, "1 2 3 4", so that everyone begins together at the same speed.
• Sit tall, curve your fingers, and look at the music rather than your hands.
• If you slip, keep going: the beat must not stop.
• Hold the last note for its full length, lift your hands, and smile. You have performed!

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.