Starting to Play

As you know, notes sound loudly when keys are struck firmly, and softly when keys are struck gently. However, most playing should be somewhere in between, at a medium level which is neither loud nor soft. Try to play evenly, so your notes sound at the same medium volume.

Another hint. Keep each key pressed down until you are ready to play the next, so each note lasts longer, and your playing sounds smoother.
Now , play the 'Scale' of notes from one C to the next C as smoothly and evenly as possible. Play a 'Scale' to the right of the keyboard with a right-hand finger. Next, play another 'Scale' of C on the left of the keyboard, with a left-hand finger. Say the name of each note to yourself as you play it.
Then, play the same notes in a different order:

PLAYING WITH A BEAT
Sit at your piano, relaxed but ready to play, and start counting slowly and evenly:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -
Count each ‘1'a little more strongly to set rhythm. If you like, you can tap your foot lightly in time with your counting.

Now, play any note with a right-hand finger, every time you count ‘1'
When you can do this without hesitating at all, play the note everytime you count ‘1' and '3'. Finally, count very slowly and evenly and play the note on every beat: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, and so on. Repeat a// of this, playing a note with a left-hand finger.

Next, try playing different notes in time with the beat which you count. First with a right-hand finger, and then with a left-hand finger.

Keep your finger on the last C, so the note continues to sound while you count four beats.

You have covered a great deal in the last five pages. Read them again, next time you play, to make sure you understand everything.

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