Two Rhythms at Once
Left hand holds half notes while the right hand keeps moving in quarters.
- Level:
- 5 of 6
- Hands:
- Both hands
- Key:
- C major
- Notes:
- 14
- Range:
- C3 to G4
- One run:
- about 8 seconds at 80 bpm
The notes, in order
9 moments, 14 notes in total, some struck together.
- C3 + C4
- D4
- D3 + E4
- F4
- E3 + G4
- F4
- F3 + E4
- D4
- C3 + C4
How to practise it
- The right hand plays twice for every left-hand note
- Count 1-2-3-4 and notice that the left hand lands on 1 and 3
- This is the first real test of hand independence
The scale behind it
This one is built on the C Major scale: C D E F G A B (no sharps or flats). Its right-hand fingering runs 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5, and the scale page has the full diagram if you want to hear the shape on its own first.
How to play it here
Play along on the keys with your mouse, your computer keyboard, a touch screen, or a MIDI keyboard you have plugged in. Every key can show its own name, and the metronome will hold the tempo while you work through the 14 notes.
What it trains
- hands together
- rhythm
- independence
More coordination
The two hands doing different things at the same time.
- Contrary Motion Scale (level 5)
- Arpeggio, Both Hands (level 5)
- Melody Over Chords (level 5)
- Parallel Tenths (Both Hands) (level 6)
- Offbeat Hands (level 6)
- Contrary Motion: Five Fingers (level 3)