3 Key Signatures

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The thumb cracking technique from the previous lesson is repeated here for a new note, high F#. However before this, we introduce a useful notation shortcut.

Previously we have shown F# and C# on the music stave with an "accidental" (in this case a #) immediately before the note. Suppose a music piece uses F# and C# all the time? Rather than an accidental before each F# and C#, a single "#" occupies the F and C position in the first bar of each stave, as shown below. This is called a "key signature", and indicates that F# and C# are played throughout.

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In the example above, the second note is C#, the second to last note is low C#, there are two F#'s in the second bar. There are other key signatures, we meet then later.

Now a new note, high F#, shown below. Similar to high E, a pinched thumbhole is used. However, unlike the high E, the high F# fingering differs from its low F# counterpart. The left hand is L1, L2 and L3, the right hand is L2 only, with the pinched thumb as mentioned.

The note sounds like this:

Try this exercise:

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[one_fifth]          Backing only[/one_fifth]
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If you can manage the high E (the first note), then the high F# should be easily reached, by lifting a single finger only, namely R1. Notice the key signature, make sure you play a C#.

This next exercise practices common jumps to and from the high F#. If it proves hard, then try each jump individually before playing with the backing.

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[one_fifth]          Backing only[/one_fifth]
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Now another time signature. The previous lesson introduced 6/4 time, which often results in two pulses per bar. A closely related and more commonly used time signature is 6/8. Here each beat is an eighth note (quaver), rather than a quarter note (crotchet). Each bar has 6 beats, however the "pulse" is often two in a bar. Listen to the 6/8 tune below, "Black Donald the Piper" by F. O'Neill.

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There is a two beat count in. However, listen to the percussion, you will hear six beats per bar, in keeping with the 6/8 time signature. 6/8 tunes are often known as "Jigs".

We finish with two new notations. The tune below is "Black Donald the Piper", once again. See the double dots at the end of the last bar, and the start of the first bar? This indicates a "repeat", meaning the the music is played through twice. Notice also the lines drawn over some of the eighth note (quaver) groups. These lines are "slurs", meaning that there is no separation between the notes. Listen to the player, notice the repeat, and also the slurred notes.

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As you can see, the intermediate lessons contain more than the preliminary ones. The good news is that music notation basics have mostly been covered. You can now read music, perhaps slowly. Apologies to those who already could... Better still, after the next lesson you will have enough notes to play a wide variety of tunes. The music world is at your fingertips.

Off to the library now for some 6/8 tunes.

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The Boys of the West
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A Visit to Ireland
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Augathella Station
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