The One Chord

Hello and welcome back. I'm Joseph Hoffman.
Today, we're going to be improvising together using different rhythms,
so let's come to the heartbeat mat and get started composing our rhythms.

For a rhythm today, let's start with a quarter note, then two eighth notes,
and then about two more quarter notes. Let's see what this would sound like.
We've got TA TI-TI TA TA. That's pretty good,
but let's make it a little more interesting by changing out this quarter note
for a quarter rest. Yeah, let's try that out: TA TI-TI TA rest. Yeah, I like that.
Okay, let's make that our rhythm. Can you try saying it with me?
Point to each rhythm, and let's speak it in rhythm words. Ready, go:
TA TI-TI TA rest. Now let's try that same rhythm out, tapping it on our elbow.
Ready, go: TA TI-TI TA rest. Good, now let's try tapping it on our chin, go:
TA TI-TI TA rest.

Great, now let's come to the piano and try improvising with our rhythm.
So now we're going to use that same rhythm to improvise a melody
in the C major pentascale, so go ahead and cover up C D E F G with the right hand,
and let me show you what you can do with this rhythm.
So, we have TA TI-TI TA rest, which I can turn into a melody,
playing any note I want: ♫, Rest. So I did E D D E,
but I could have done C G G E, rest. Anything is okay.
Now it's your turn to try making up a melody.
What we're going to do is just keep repeating the rhythm over and over again,
TA TI-TI TA rest, over and over again. Just keep making up a melody.
It can be different every time, or you can repeat patterns, use repeating notes,
skipping notes, stepping notes... it's up to you.  And I'm going to play some chords
down in the left hand with the same rhythm: TA TI-TI TA rest.
So, your job is to make up a melody in the right hand
while I play the chords in the left hand, using the rhythm that you see.
Let's give it a try with your right hand in position. Let's improvise.
One, two, you know what to do:
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
Last time:
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
And, our improvisation is over. Great job! If you want to try that again,
just rewind, and we can do it as many times as you like.
If you're ready to go on just keep watching.

Let's try one more rhythm improvisation, and so, now, let's try mixing this up again.
We're going to slide these over and put the quarter rest on beat two.
So now, let's see what this would sound like: TA rest TI-TI TA.
Can you try saying that with me? Point and speak it with me. Go: TA rest TI-TI TA.
Now let's try clapping that same rhythm. Ready, go: TA rest TI-TI TA. Super!
Now, try touching two fingers together with that rhythm, go. TA rest TI-TI TA.

Super. Now it's time to come back to the piano to try improvising again,
with this rhythm. Let's use the D major pentascale.
So now, cover up D E F-sharp G A. Same idea.
We're going to be playing TA rest TI-TI TA,
and I will be playing chords in the left hand, which sound like this:
TA rest TI-TI TA. I'll play that rhythm. You'll play the same rhythm,
making up a melody in the right hand.
Play one note at a time, using any note you like.
Let's have some fun making music. Get ready, here we go. One, two, three, go:
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
Last time:
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Great job improvising today. Isn't it fun to be creative on the piano?
I hope you'll enjoy creating your own music by improvising on the piano a little
every day as you practice all your other songs and finger power.
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.

Okay students, try and say this rhythm with me: TI-TI TI-TI TA TA.

Okay, TI-TI TI-TI TA TA.

Good job. Now, try tapping it on your elbow.

I don't have an elbow.

What?

Come to think of it, neither do you.

Well, I suppose I don't.

Well, we'll just have to tap heads then.

Okay: TI-TI TI-TI TA TA

Ugh, headache. Kids, maybe you shouldn't try this one at home.
Or, if you do, wear a helmet.

Mr. Hoffman did always say music would have a great impact on us.