Ode to Joy

If you've been following this series of articles, then you have learned "Chopsticks", "Mission Impossible", and "Malaguena". You may have also realized that I chose and/or arranged each song to focus on an aspect of hand coordination. In the last issue, I showed you "Malaguena", which aimed primarily on alternating lines with each hand.

In this last of the four part series, I show you Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" and you will work both hands at the same time. Download the sheet music and audio and we'll get started.

StaffTab: odetojoy.pdf
Audio: odetojoy.mp3

Find your hand positions as dictated in the first measure. This is where your hands will stay, throughout the piece. Next, play the first LH measure and watch the pattern/shape develop. If you don't recognize this, it is a C major triad. Now check out the second measure - G major triad. If you look ahead to measures 3 & 4, you will notice that the LH repeats the first two measures.

Now play the RH part only (measures 1-4). Then play those measures with both hands. Notice each note, with each hand, lands on a beat. Keep at it until it sounds smooth. Measures 5-8 are just a repeat of the first four measures, except for a little change in measure 8, but you'll get it.

The first two LH notes in measure 9 finish the arpeggio started in the previous measure. You may want to run the RH part alone, to get the feel for measures 9-13. The LH will make four passes of an ascending three-note arpeggio, starting in the middle of measure 9 and ending in the middle of measure 12. Also, notice the slight change in measure 12, for the LH. Finally, try both hands together.

You get a chance to reset your bearings in measure 13. Measures 14-17 are the same as measures 5-8.

That's it for this issue. I can't wait to see what I come up with next time. See ya.

Chris
www.ChrisCrain.com