6 Tenor Middle D

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Good news. The new note for this lesson is the simplest. Middle D, one finger only, like this:

The single finger here is L2, the left hand thumb does not touch the instrument. The note sounds like this

OK? Hopefully yes. There is a high D and a low D, we’ll get to them much later. Try the following exercise
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It sounds like this

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[one_fifth]          Backing only[/one_fifth]
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If you were able to play the exercises from the previous lesson, then this one should be OK. Be sure you don't move to a new lesson without being comfortable with the previous one. Each lesson assumes that you've managed the ones before. Now try this exercise
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Sounding like this

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[/one_fifth][one_fifth][/one_fifth][one_fifth][/one_fifth]
[one_fifth]          Backing only[/one_fifth]
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Some challenges here. Notice the B to D transition has a finger and thumb coming up together, while another finger (L2) goes down. The G to D transition has two fingers and a thumb coming up while L2 stays unchanged. Practise these moves very slowly, ensuring that your fingers work together.

Now for some rhythm exercises. But let me say something first:

Correct rhythm is more important than correct notes

Both are important of course. However beginning players often focus on getting the notes, with scant attention to rhythm. The fact is, music is not really music until the rhythm is correct. So we give rhythm some extra attention here. Look at the score, then listen to the player.
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As before, there is a 4 beat count in, but then the rhythm is clapped. No notes. The focus is just rhythm. Try it a few times. Memorise it if you can, then clap along with the player with your eyes closed. Then read the score again, it should make more sense. It may be easier to keep time if you tap your toe, starting with the 4 beat count in

Beginning players often have trouble mixing eighth notes (quavers) and half notes (minims). This exercise will help.

We've looked at eighth notes (quavers), quarter notes (crotchets) and half notes (minims). Here we add another, the whole note (known as a semibreve in the UK). This looks like a half note (minim), without the stem, and occupies 4 beats. Look at the score below, listen to the player. Can you hear that the whole note takes 4 beats, and is twice the length of the half notes (minims)?

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Now go to the library and try the tunes for this lesson.
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Little John
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Rigadoon
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