We’ve had this song before, but that was written in the “key” of C. This one is written in tyhe key of F.

You can tell what “key” a song is written in by looking at the last chord.

Our hands are in a different position–thumb being on F, and starting with the 3rd finger on the first A note. If you do this your 4th finger will end up on the Bb. A flat is always the very next note to the LEFT. In this case it happens to be a black key.

Bb chord is played with your thumb stretched “up” to the Bb above or to the right of left hand position of pinky on C.

As long as you don’t move that right hand, you can get through the piece with no problem.

Use a nice “Quiet Waltz” with this song

See ya

We have some extra notes (not necessary) just like last week’s song. 1st measure, 3rd line, 1st pg. Take one each of the c’s and d’s over the words “say—good”–same deal on the last measure, over “I —-could”. Also same on the last line, 1st measure of the 2nd pg.

Go to 2 (lower) over the rest on the last measure of the 1st pg, 3rd line.

Go to 3 (upper) over the word “So”, 2nd measure, 1st line, 2nd pg.

Go to 4 over the wprd “I’m”, after the rests,2nd measure, 3rd line, 2nd pg.

When you get to the end go back to the top of the 2nd pg,(same place preset 3 is).  Play to the end of the 2nd line, then instead of going to the D and Dm chord on the 3rd line, go to a C with a C chord. you are now officially “DUN”.

See ya

Thumb on G note–in order to get up to the high F–you need to stretch, but also a twist of the wrist helps, as you are going from the C to that F.

Suggested fingering is 1,2,3,5,2,1,3,5,3,

2nd line is 2,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,4,3,1

3rd line is the same as the 1st–and the rest should be a piece of cake.

We did talk about a little trick or two that makes the fingering even easier–but that is a “visual”

Try to find a “Hawaiian” rhythm–if it’s not condusive–try a “Bossa Nova”

See ya

A country rhythm sounds nice withe this song.

No new chords, and our fingering is somewhat like it was in “Kumbaya”

Notice the first and 3rd line are the same.==fingering is 1,2,3,(stretch to) 4,4,5,4,3,1,2,3,3,2,1,2

2nd line is 1,3,4,4,5,4,3,1,2,3,3,2,2,1

The last line is the same as above.

Try figuring the 2nd pg. out–betcha can

See ya

We reviewed “From a Distance” and introduced “All by Myself”

We talked about using John’s 12 “Love sounds” presets–actually called “Pro Sounds”–then using any rhythm we want to with them, and picking and choosing which ones (out of the 12) we liked the best for this particular song.

I happened to use presets 1 (upper) and 5 (lower) for verses 1 and 2 on the first page.

At the end of line 3 I went to 2 (upper)

Last measure of line 1 on 2nd pg.,I went to 5 (lower)

Last measure of line 3, I went to 1 (upper)

At the end of the song ,I chose to go back to the “segno”,then end the song before the rest on line 1 of the 2nd pg. I also ended with a middle C and C chord at that point

Remember last week’s song is more commonly known as “Love Me Tender” by Elvis–well–this week’s is more commonly known as “The Too Fat Polka”.

We start the song with the pinky and just keep going “down” (to the left)–Drop your thumb down to catch the E in the 2nd line 2nd measure. Your thumb will also be playing the F in the last measure of the 2nd line.

The new concepts are the repeat signs and 1st and 2nd endings.

When you start the song, you go to the repeat (double bar line with the 2 dots to the left)-then you return ALMOST to the beginning-(everything AFTER the double bar line with the two dots on the right)–now you play up to the 1st ending (in other words the 1st measure of the second line) then you jump down to the end of line 3 (where the second ending starts), and play to the end.

Confused???. Try reading the Trivia Tips–or TRY calling me at 939-4549. Maybe you might catch me between students, or leave a message with my hubby, Jay, or John.

See ya

Hey, last week’s song was a toughy,but don’t be discouraged this week’s is a little easier.

Forget the 7th on the C chord, but do play D7–because you are already playing a C, and all you have to do is add a D to it.

G7 is also easy F and G played with 2 and 1.

Don’t forget Dm is played with 4 and 2.

Fin gering is pretty easy except maybe for the 2nd measure of the 2nd line. You just played the previous C’s with your pinky–I suggest stretching your 4th finger to the A, then 3,2,1 on the G,E,C.

Try to have fun with this, and go back to the previous song every once in a while, ’cause let’s face it, it’s pretty. It may take you a while, but you’ll get it

See ya

We have a lot of triplets ( pronounced TRI-PO-LET, when you are playing them) and eighth notes in our new song. Most folks know the melody–so that should help. Try not rushing the eighth notes, and as i said , say the word TRI-PO-LET as you play them.

Preset 2 is on the 1st pg.,3rd line, 1st measure-BEFORE the eighth notes, prest 5 is AFTER the eighth notes (stay with me, this will make sense as we go)

Presets 3 and 6 are at the bottom of this pg., where the rests are.

Preset 4 is on the bottom of pg.29, 1st measure, where the rests are.

Preset 5 actually starts on pg. 30 where the D.S al coda is. We moved “Segno” from the beginning of the song to where preset 2 and 5 are. (Making any sense yet?)

Preset 7 is on the bottom of pg. 30, 1st measure where the G note over the word God is. (by the way–take out that G note)

Eliminate the 1st ending at the end of the 4th line, pg. 29–also eliminate the 1st ending on pg. 31.

On the second to last ,line of the song eliminate the last 2 notes. Play a  high F, then E, then D–last line, eliminate the low F and E–replace with high F then E. Over the high F, play an F chord, then play C chord over the last high E.

There’s more, but I’d venture to say you might already be confused. What can I say–either come to the Thursday class (as I am typing after the Tues. class)–or call (if you can ever catch me when I’m NOT teaching)–or stop in.

See ya

Usually I recap what was taught  each week, in case you couldn’t be here–or maybe you forgot something that was covered. Thar’s what this blog is all about–so tune in next week to see what I mean.

I also have quite a few students who just happen to be “snowbirds” and like to keep up with what goes on week to week–also, I talk about any upcoming events, parties, concerts,etc.

See ya

Thumb is on G. Fingering is 1,4.3,4,5,2,5,4,3,2,3,4.

Second line is exactly the same

At the end of the 2nd line you slide youe whole hand to the right, putting your 4th finger on E, in preparation for the 3rd line. You pinky will therefore be ready to play the high f on the last line, 1st measure.

See ya