Into the Cave
Lesson Book page 8
- Playing 3-black-key groups in the lower keyboard range
what's new
- Finding 3-black-key groups
- Using LH fingers 2-3-4
- The hand should float from group to group, flexing at the wrist
what's important
let's get started
- If you were going into a cave, would you be going higher or lower?
- Let's touch the 3-black-keys. Start in the middle and go lower.
- As the boys explore the cave, let's explore the music on the page. You point to the finger numbers as I play.
- Fingers 2-3-4 will walk down, then stop and listen when the fingers play together. (Demonstrate)
- Are you ready to explore the cave? Make sure your hand floats down to the next group of 3-black-keys.
Using the middle fingers helps to center the hand.
explore and create
Bold Explorers!
Let's explore the sound. These boys are brave and stomp down into the dark cave loudly.Scaredy Cats!
It can be spooky in the cave. These explorers tiptoe slowly and softly. Watch out for bats!Ear Tunes!
Keep LH fingers 2-3-4 over the 3-black-keys. Close your eyes! I'll play a little pattern. You play it back!Batty Duet!
Show another student how to play this 2-black-key rhythm high on the keyboard. Use the words: lit-tle bat. Play a duet with two students. (See video)
Create a simple duet for two students.
partner pages
Technique & Artistry
pp. 4-5 Five Secrets for Piano Technique
- As students play fingers 2-3-4 together on the 3-black-keys, individual fingers may tend to flatten.
- If this happens, coach the student to roll the flattened fingers forward to a rounded hand shape.
- For Into the Cave, play and say aloud, "2-3-4 together, ROLL UP" or "2-3-4 together, ROLL OFF".
The held black-key cluster gives a great opportunity to check and re-balance on the fingertips.
pedagogy pointers
Once again, the left hand is the first to investigate more of the keyboard, this time the 3-black-key groups. Using the middle fingers keeps the hand in a natural position and directs the weight to the center of the hand. Playing from the middle to the bottom of the keyboard reinforces moving "down" the keyboard.