Playing, Part 1 · Chapter 4: Right-Hand Songs in C Position
The Right-Hand C Position
Hand positions are very important when playing the piano. A hand position allows the pianist to access a particular group of notes (for example, C-D-E-F-G) on the keyboard. Within that group, different fingerings (using finger numbers 1 through 5) will be used. If the piece of music needs notes that are not accessible within the current hand position, then the hand will be moved to a new position, and so on.
For the next couple of chapters, we’re going to stick with songs that are all contained within one hand position, as an easy way to get started. Then later, we’ll move on to songs that need hand position changes.
The first hand position we’re going to use is the right-hand C Position. For this you’ll rest the thumb of the right hand on middle C, and the pinkie on the G above middle C, with the other fingers evenly spread out on the white keys in between.
Now we’re going to play our first song in right-hand C Position, “Go Tell Aunt Rhody.” Try playing the song on your own first, without listening to the recording, using the fingering numbers above each note (as opposed to below, where our “counting” numbers would go). Practice it a few times to get the feel of it.
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How’d it go? Now that you’ve played it a couple of times, have a listen to track 3. How close were you to the recording? Try playing along with the audio track now.
Count the rhythms as you play through this song with track 3. Again, you’ll hear the four “clicks” before the song starts, and you can count “1, 2, 3, 4" during this count-off measure. The first measure of counting is written in for you, and you may pencil in the rest. If you get stuck, turn back to Chapter 3 to remind yourself how we did this.
Pretty strange lyrics in this song, huh?! (none of this “I love you” stuff…) When you’re comfortable playing through the piece without counting, try singing the lyrics while you play. Don’t worry if you don’t have the greatest singing voice, you’re just having fun (and besides, singing along while you are playing is a really good “ear training” exercise).