The Akousunesis Method

PC5 - Developing Rhythm

Lesson Objective

Finger interval locations for the C major scale

Finger interval locations for the exercises

Finger placement exercise symbol meanings

Lesson Objective

Developing rhythm with a 4/4 time signature. Introducing a crotchet and a quaver beat.

Finger interval locations for the C major scale

Left and right hand finger placement for the C western major scale

Finger interval locations for the exercises

Finger placement exercise symbol meanings

> Keep on rising until you see a reverse change of direction.

< Keep on falling until you see a reverse change of direction.

<< Start from a high interval and move down then jump back up to the high interval and repeat multiple times.

>> Start from a low interval and move up then jump back down to the low interval and repeat multiple times.

>< Rise up then come back to the root of the exercise.

<> From the high note, go down then up again back to the high note.

== Play the line and the next line together either with both hands or the same hand using different fingers.

|| Play lines together either with both hands or the same hand using different fingers.

_|_ The Anchor symbol, anchor a finger on a note while playing the pattern with the other fingers.

Note: For the symbol >< the direction indicators > and < only apply when rising, reading from left to right. they don't apply when falling, reading from right to left.

Note: For the symbol <> the indicators > and < only apply when falling, reading from left to right. they don't apply when rising, reading from right to left.

Example

The follow is a simple example showing how to play the C western major scale using the right hand.

C >< RT1 I2 M3 T4 I5 M6 R7 P1

C Is the root note of the exercise, interval 1.

>< Indicates you rise up sequentially to the high 1 then come back down the scale sequentially.

R Indicates the right hand and applies for the entire line.

RT1 I2 M3 T4 I5 M6 R7 P1 These are all the finger interval placements.

Beat timing

Rhythm Pattern 1

Here you play four notes, one note per beat, you are not going to count the beats, 1 2 3 4, you don't need to say this information. It is more productive to count the intervals you're playing. 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3 etc. Our ear will learn to hear the amount of notes being played, one note per beat. Each note is called a crotchet. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C >> || RT1 M3 P5 <M3

C == LP1 M3 T5

Rhythm Pattern 2

Here you will count 1 3 4 5, 1 3 4 5, 1 3 4 5 etc. Make each beat sound smooth and even. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C >> || RT1 M3 R4 P5

C == || LP1 M3 T5

Rhythm Pattern 3

Here, the R44 represents two quavers, here two quavers is equal to one beat, so you need to play the 44 a little faster. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C >> || RT1 I2 R44 <M3

C == || LP1 M3 T5

Rhythm Pattern 4

The first beat is a crotchet, the second beat are two quavers, the third beat a crotch and the fifth beat two quavers.

C >> || RT1 I22 M3 P55

C == || LP1 M3 T5

Rhythm Pattern 5

Here you play four notes, one note per beat, you are not going to count the beats, 1 2 3 4, you don't need to say this information. It is more productive to count the intervals you're playing. 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3 etc. Our ear will learn to hear the amount of notes being played, one note per beat. Each note is called a crotchet. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C == || RT1 M3 P5

C >> || LP1 M3 T5 <M3

Rhythm Pattern 6

Here you play four notes, one note per beat, you are not going to count the beats, 1 2 3 4, you don't need to say this information. It is more productive to count the intervals you're playing. 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3 etc. Our ear will learn to hear the amount of notes being played, one note per beat. Each note is called a crotchet. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C == || RT1 M3 P5

C >> || LP1 M3 I4 T5

Rhythm Pattern 7

Here you play four notes, one note per beat, you are not going to count the beats, 1 2 3 4, you don't need to say this information. It is more productive to count the intervals you're playing. 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3 etc. Our ear will learn to hear the amount of notes being played, one note per beat. Each note is called a crotchet. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C == || RT1 M3 P5

C >> || LP1 R2 I44 <M3

Rhythm Pattern 8

Here you play four notes, one note per beat, you are not going to count the beats, 1 2 3 4, you don't need to say this information. It is more productive to count the intervals you're playing. 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3, 1 3 5 3 etc. Our ear will learn to hear the amount of notes being played, one note per beat. Each note is called a crotchet. Do not use a metronome, you need to feel the rhythm.

C == || RT1 M3 P5

C >> || LP1 R22 M3 T55