The course › Unit 5: The bass clef and the grand staff
Lesson 28 of 72 · One hand after the other, then both together
On the grand staff, you read from left to right, but also from top to bottom: two notes lined up one above the other are played at the same time. When a staff has a rest, that hand takes a break.
To start, a melody that passes from one hand to the other, as in lesson 17, but this time you read it.
The right hand asks a question, the left hand answers it.
The two hands answer each other, one measure each. Keep them in C position: right hand on middle C, left hand on Bass C.
Next step: the left hand plays a long note at the start of the measure, at the same time as the first note of the melody, then holds it while the right hand keeps going.
Au clair de la lune: the left hand’s whole note starts together with the right hand’s first C.
Why this way: Hands separately first, then together, slowly: that’s how almost every pianist practices. Each hand becomes easy on its own, and then all that’s left is to put them together. If a passage gives you trouble, read it one hand at a time first.
Read both staffs. On each first beat, both hands play together; after that, the left hand holds its note.
A few notes on the grand staff, to keep your eyes sharp.
Before you play, read the left hand alone: one whole note per measure, Bass C (5) or G (1). Then read both staffs together.
And now in rhythm, with both hands. You’ve read it, so you know where each hand goes. Right hand: the melody. Left hand: one whole note per measure (C or G).