Kuhlau Movement 1 opening - Suzuki Book 3

Sometimes all you need to do is listen to the CD.  If that isn't the case though, it helps to count and clap something, or see how two hands are coordinated together.  The opening of the Kuhlau Sonatina is sometimes one of those spots.

Here is a video of the first two measures - first the LH alone, and then the two hands together if listening to the CD is just not enough for you!

Chant Arabe HT B section ending, Suzuki Book 1

The trickiest part of Chant Arabe (once you've mastered the even sounding left hand, the subtle changes in dynamic tension in the right hand, and the coordination to keep one legato while the other one isn't) is the last two measures of the B section.

I like to teach students to imagine the second beat of that last measure as a beat that has an "air note" in the left hand.  Here is a student playing that "air note" to perfection the day he learned to put them together.  (The LH air note matches up with the first of the two Ds in the RH in that measure.)

Short Story - B section HT

Sometimes this passage of LH scales and RH chords comes naturally to a student, and sometimes one has trouble figuring out how exactly they fit together.  And then there is the tricky business of making the beautiful sweeping B section line up with measure 15, which you have worked so hard on already!

Just take a breath, listen to the CD and let your hands try it out.  If that doesn't work, here is a quick clip that might help you out if you can't remember how it worked in your lesson this past week!

Ecossaise, LHA - Suzuki 1

Congratulations!  You've started Suzuki Book 2!  This is an exciting moment.  Luckily, we get to celebrate with a pretty exciting piece.  The thing that makes this piece sound so exciting is the staccato in the left hand.  Articulation (rests, staccatos, accents, slurs....) is very important in Book 2 and you'll find it to be very important in this piece as well.  Watch how this student plays the "jumps" and the "legatos" in the A section:

Clair De Lune LH B - Suzuki Book 1

Now, I'm sure I've taught this to you in lesson, but if you're having trouble remembering how the left hand fits with the right hand in the B section of Au Claire de la Lune, here is a little reminder:



Remember to practice hands separately first, and the left hand at this part is "half-note, half-note, rocking, rocking, D-2-3-4, stepping down."

The C Chord Progression

As you may well know, chords provide the basis of harmonic support for a melody and much of the "background" (or often in beginning music - the left hand).  This harmonic support is comprised of a progression of chords in one form or another.  Many of you will already be comfortable with the alberti bass pattern of playing chords.  (5-1-3-1)

Below is a chord progression in C in blocked form.  (That means, all the notes of the chord are played at once.)  The chord progression is I-IV-I-V-V7-I, which in the key of C is C-F-C-G-G7-C.




The chord progression should be practiced slowly, with even tone and a flexible wrist.

The C Arpeggio

In order to play much of Suzuki Book 2 and any early intermediate literature, a student needs to be able to play an arpeggio with ease.  An arpeggio outlines a triad and provides both melody and harmony in a quick, easy, and charming way to a lot of piano music.

Small hands need to be careful though, not to have an excess of stretching.  The arm should support the hand, which should support the fingers, which should all be carried along to each note.

Below is an example of a child learning the C arpeggio.  The notes are C-E-G-C with fingering for the right hand being 1-2-3-5 (coming back down with the same notes and respective fingerings).