Au Clair de la Lune: Hands Together (Unit 5)

Bonjour, mes amis. I'm Joseph Hoffman.
Today we are learning how to play "Au Clair de la Lune" hands together.
Let's take a look at the score to get started.
Okay let's figure out how to do this hands together.
We already know that the rhythm of the left hand here is 1-& 2-&
because of this dotted quarter note
takes up 1 1/2 beats, and then we've got this eighth note on the & of 2.
Remember that when you're playing hands together, both hands
have to keep the beat going at the same time.
So while the left hand does 1-& 2-&, the
right hand is going 1-& 2-&
This beat happens at the same time as this
beat. They're happening simultaneously.
So let's practice tapping the rhythm of
this measure right here.
First just do the right hand once, and let's count the
subdivided beat 1-& 2-&
While you tap the right hand rhythm. Try it with me, go. 1-& 2-&
Good, now let's tap the rhythm of the left hand
while we count the subdivided beat.
Go: 1-& 2-&
Now let's put the two hands together.
Counting the subdivided beat, try measure one.
Count and tap both hands go: 1-& 2-&
You'll notice we tap together on this & of 2. Let's
try that one more time go:
1-& 2-&
Super, now let's add in measure two.
You'll notice that they both play both hands that is play two quarter notes.
So that should be easy. It will just be 1-& 2-&
Let's try that together tap
the rhythm of measure two, go: 1-& 2-&
Super.
Now, let's put those two measures together measures one and two tapping and counting.
Ready, go: 1-& 2-& 1-& 2-&
Super.
Now let's take a look at measure three.
The right hand goes 1-& 2-&, while the left hand goes 1-& 2-&
Let's try putting that together. Measure three, tap and count. Ready, go: 1-& 2-&
And then we
end with a half note in both hands: 1-& 2-&
Let's come to the piano and try to play it.
Ok let's place both hands in the A-flat
major pentascale and try this hands together.
Hands together measure one will
sound like this: we have 1-& 2-&
Remember on the & of 2 they play
together. The right hand plays B-flat,
the left hand plays D-flat 1-& 2-&
Now you try that yourself.
Good now let's add the next measure.
After we get to that point
then in both hands we step up,
and then we step back down.
So together it will sound like this:
1-& 2-& step up, step down
Now press pause and try that by yourself
five times with no missed notes, and then
press play when you're ready to go on.
All right, now let's go on to measures
three and four of line one.
Now we have a I chord in the left hand while the right
hand plays DO MI.
Will you try that?
Good, so you had DO MI, and then the left hand goes
to a V7 chord while the right hand plays
RE RE Can you try that? Play a V7 chord while the right hand plays RE RE.
Your turn.
Good. Now let's put that together. We have
DO MI RE RE. Your turn.
When we add on the next measure we get: DO MI RE RE DO
Now press pause and
try measures three and four of line one.
Try it five times, and then press play
when you're ready to go on.
Now let's try all of line one together.
It will sound like this:
1-& 2-& 1-& 2-&
1-& 2-& 1-& 2-&
Now press pause and try it just one time hands together. It doesn't matter if it's bumpy
or a little bit choppy. I just want you to get through
the line one time,
and then on your own later you're going to practice it lots more.
Just try it once for now, and then press play when you're ready to go on.
Now let's take a look at the B section.
Looking at measure one can you tap the rhythm with me hands together?
Let's count the subdivided beat while we tap.
Ready, go: 1-& 2-&
That's pretty easy right?
Let's go on to measure two.
Here we have the right hand playing two
quarter notes, the left hand playing four eighth notes.
You know what that would sound like right?
Whenever we say 1 we have to tap together, and then on the & of beat 1 the left hand taps by itself.
On beat 2 we tap together, then on the
& of 2 the left hand taps by itself like this:
1-& 2-&
Let's try that together. Ready, go: 1-& 2-&
Good, then in measure three we have the same
rhythm that we had in measure one.
1-& 2-&
Now let's look at measure four of the B section.
Here's where things get a little tricky.
On beat 1 the right hand plays.
Remember when you have a quarter note that occurs
at the start of the beat.
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