Mother & Child - My Fun Piano StudioDuets Learn how to create your own stunning piano music Composing simply requires knowing a few formulas, listening to the inspiration that comes

Beautiful

Mother & Child Duets

Learn how to create your own stunning piano music

Composing simply requires knowing a few formulas, listening to the inspiration

that comes into your heart and then having the courage to invite your song into

the world.

Invite your child to sit beside you as you together create transcendently beautiful

music with these easy improvised duets. Be patient with yourself and your child as

you learn. Have the courage to explore and experiment until you’ve created your

desired sound.

Once your song is complete, have the courage to share your song and thereby

enrich the people around you.

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Music of the Moment

To play this duet, I recommend that the parent first learn Part 1 and then play while the child

improvises. Later, reverse roles and teach Part 1 to the child.

Part 1: Parent’s Part

Step 1: Position the Hands

Locate the placement of the left hand and right hand as demonstrated in the diagram.

Step 2: Learn the Pattern

Pianist have numbered each finger. Press each key in the order shown to create a beautiful pattern.

Practice this pattern until you are comfortable and can play in a slow, steady rhythm.

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Music of the Moment

Part 2: Child’s Part

Step 1: Position the Hand

Place the right hand on the keyboard as shown. Each finger should rest on a key.

Step 2: Improvise

The child creates the melody by playing any of these keys in any order.

Step 3: Play the Duet with Your Child

Combine parts 1 and 2 to play with your child. The parent begins by playing part 1 in a slow, steady

rhythm. When ready, the child joins in, improvising the melody. Watch the video on

Eartrainingandimprov.com to see an example.

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Review of Finger Numbers

Piano players have given each finger a number. Use this chart to learn

which finger to use when you see a number.

We will use these finger numbers for the activities in this book, so refer back to this page as needed.

Left Right

5 5

4 4 3 3

2 2

1 1

5



Daybreak

Part 1

Step 1: Place your left hand on the highlighted keys. You will use your pinky, middle finger and thumb.

Step 2: Practice playing the highlighted keys in this order:

Practice this pattern over and over until you can play it smoothly.

Part 2

Step 1: Place your right hand on the keys highlighted in red. Notice that these are the same keys used by

Part 1 (highlighted in blue), except that they are played higher on the keyboard.

Step 2: Use these keys to improvise. You can play any key in any order. Play in a slow rhythm to

complement the playing of Part 1.

Make it Better

Your song will be more interesting if you are frequently changing the chords. When you’re comfortable with this

pattern, turn to the “Make it Better” section at the back of the book to learn which chords to use next.

1 3 5

1 5 3 1 5 3

5 3 1 3 1 5

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Starlit Waltz

Part 1

Step 1: Place your hands on the highlighted keys. Your left hand is highlighted in blue and your right

hand in red.

Step 2: Practice the pattern. In this pattern, your right hand will press down all three “red” keys at the

same time. Try playing this pattern:

Count “one, two, three, one, two, three...” as you play. Emphasize beat one, which you play with your

left hand. Practice this pattern until you can play it comfortably.

Part 2

Step 1: Find your keys. Note where your partner is playing and place your right hand on the highlighted

keys.

Step 2: Create your melody. You can use any of the highlighted keys in any order. Give your waltz a slow

start by only playing one note on each beat one. As the song progresses, play faster and add in more

notes.

5

3

1 5

5 1

3

5

1

3

5

5 1

3

5

1

3

5

5

3

1 5

Part 1 Part 2

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50’s Love Song

Use this formula to create your own 50’s love song.

Part 1

Step 1: Find the first chord. In this song, you will only use your left hand and you will press down all

three keys at the same time.

Step 2: Now practice the remaining chords. First get familiar with them, and then practice switching

between them in order.

Step 3: Play triplets. When you’re comfortable switching between the chords, try playing triplets with

each chord before switching to the next. You can say “trip-o-let, trip-o-let” as you play each chord to

help you get the hang of the rhythm.

5 3 1

5 3 1

5 3 1

5 3 1

Chord 1

Chord 2

Chord 3

Chord 4

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50’s Love Song

Part 2

Step 1: Find your keys. You will use your right hand and the keys are highlighted for you in red. Note

where your partner is playing as you place your hand.

Step 2: Experiment with melody. You can play any of these keys in any order. You will play your melody

while your partner is playing Part 1, so experiment with which sound combinations you like. Start slow

at first. Later, as you get more comfortable with the rhythm, you may want to play more quickly.

5

Part 1 Part 2

3 1

9



Taking Flight

Part 1

Step 1: Find the placement of your right hand and left hand. Use the finger numbers as a guide.

Step 2: Count out loud to learn the rhythm.

Count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and Say the purple numbers and word out loud. Repeat.

Step 3: Practice playing the pattern in rhythm. Press down the corresponding key when you say each

word. Notice that you’ll hold the “blue” key down longer than the others- you hold it for “one and”.

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

Repeat this pattern over and over until you can play it comfortably. Then invite your duet partner to join

in.

5 5 3

5 3 5 3 5 3 5

10



Taking Flight

Part 2

Step 1:

Find your keys. Place your right hand on the Part 2 keys highlighted in red. You will play on higher keys

than your partner.

Step 2

Improvise. Use the highlighted keys to create your melody. You can play any key in any order. Listen

carefully to what sounds good with the notes your partner is playing.

Part 1 Part 2

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Tuesday in the Park

This duet is sure to be a hit! It’s got little bit of a jazzy feel that underlies a bright and happy tone.

Part 1

Step 1: Find the placement of your hands.

Step 2: Practice playing the keys in the order shown below. Play with a jazzy rhythm.

Part 2

Step 1: Identify your improv keys. You will be playing higher than your partner. In this duet, you have

lots of keys to choose from.

Step 2: Experiment. You can use these keys to improvise while your partner plays. Try to create a jazzy

melody. Listen carefully to learn what combinations sound good with what your partner is playing. You’ll

notice that some keys will clash against the keys in Part 1. Some people like this sound. If you hear a

clash, resolve it by quickly switching to a key that doesn’t clash. The interplay of tension and resolution

makes for an intriguing song.

5 5 1 4

5 5 1 4 5

Part 1

Part 2

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Make it Better

Use this section to learn how to make your songs sound fuller, more interesting and more complete. If

you were to stay on just one chord, your song would get boring really fast.

Using a series of chords makes your song sounds like it’s progressing. In this section, you’ll find some

excellent chord sequences that you can use to enhance your songs.

How to use this section:

1. First, make sure you are totally comfortable with the simple version of the song, as introduced

in the first part of the book.

2. Play the pattern in each of the chord positions described in the directions of this section.

3. Practice switching between chord positions until you can do so quickly without interrupting the

rhythm of the song.

4. Put it together. Sit down with your duet partner and have fun creating a beautiful song together.

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Make it Better: Daybreak

Train your hand to switch between the following chords in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful

song. Part 1 will play these chords, usually playing each chord twice with the pattern you learned before

switching to the next chord.

Chord 1

Chord 2

Chord 3

Chord 4

Starlit Waltz

3 5 1

3 5 1

3 5 1

3

5

1

Part 2: Improvise based on these

chords. Pay attention to which

chord your partner is playing.

You can use any key from that

chord to create your melody.

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Make it Better: Starlit Waltz

Train your hand to switch between the following chords in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful

song. Repeat the pattern you learned 2-4 times with each chord and then switch to the next chord.

Part 1

Chord 1

Chord 2

Chord 3

Part 2

Improvise based on the chords your partner plays. Play the same keys, but higher on the keyboard. For

example, as your partner plays Chord 1, you can play any of the keys that are included in Chord 1. When

your partner switches to Chord 2, start improvising with any of the keys from Chord 2.

You can also experiment with passing tones. Passing tones are notes that you play on your way from

one highlighted key to the next highlighted key. Take a look at the unmarked keys that sit between the

highlighted keys. Experiment with these to find sounds like you like.

5

3

1 5

5

3

1 5

5 1 5

3

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Make it Better: Taking Flight

Train your hand to switch between the following positions in the order shown. You’ll have a beautiful

song. Part 1 will play the pattern in each position, usually playing the rhythm twice in each position

before switching to the next position.

Position 1:

Position 2:

Position 3:

Position 4:

5 5 3

5 5 3

5 5

3

5 5 3

Practice switching between the four positions. Make sure you’re comfortable playing the rhythmic

pattern in each position, and that you’re comfortable switching between the positions.

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Make it Better: Taking Flight

Part 2

Have fun creating a melody based on your partner’s hand position. You can use any key from the

position your partner is playing in at that moment. Be sure to switch your hand position when your

partner switches positions.

Later, you can add in passing tones to make your melody more complex. A passing tone is a key between

highlighted keys. You play it “in passing” on your way to the next highlighted key.

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Make it Better: Tuesday in the Park

The person playing Part 1 can learn these three different hand positions. When you cycle through these

positions, you get a really neat Tuesday in the Park. In each position, play the rhythm you learned.

Position 1:

Position 2:

Position 3:

Play the rhythm in each position twice before switching to the next position.

Part 2 You will continue using the same 7 keys you learned earlier. Have fun experimenting to create

intriguing new melodies for this jazzy improvised duet.

5 5 1 4

5 5 1 4

5 5 1 3

Mother & Child - My Fun Piano StudioDuets Learn how to create your own stunning piano music Composing simply requires knowing a few formulas, listening to the inspiration that comes

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