Session 4: Left Hand Joins In

Overview

Phase: 1 — Foundation
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisites: Completed Sessions 1-3. Can read treble clef line and space notes. Knows note values (whole, half, quarter). Can play “Ode to Joy” RH in C position.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

Identify the bass clef line notes (G-B-D-F-A) and space notes (A-C-E-G)
Place your left hand in C position and play a 5-finger pattern
Play a simplified “Jingle Bells” melody with your left hand
Play the opening phrase of “Jana Gana Mana” with your right hand
Find a note on the keyboard by ear (match-the-note exercise)

Materials Needed

Casio CT-X9000IN keyboard (Grand Piano tone — Tone 000)
This lesson plan open beside you

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

RH 5-Finger Pattern

RH in C position on Middle C:

X:1 T:RH C Position — Ascending & Descending M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C "1"C "2"D "3"E "4"F | "5"G "4"F "3"E "2"D | "1"C4 |]

Play 3 times with a crescendo up and diminuendo down.

”Ode to Joy” Quick Review

Play Measures 1-4 once. Check: Are your held notes (Measure 4) getting their full 3 beats?

LH Finger Taps

Place your LH on the C one octave below Middle C:

Finger 5 (pinky) on C
Finger 4 (ring) on D
Finger 3 (middle) on E
Finger 2 (index) on F
Finger 1 (thumb) on G

Tap: 5-4-3-2-1 then 1-2-3-4-5. Repeat 5 times. Notice the LH finger numbering is mirrored — pinky (5) is on C, and thumb (1) is on G. This is the opposite of the RH, where thumb (1) is on C.

Theory (10 minutes)

The Bass Clef

Just as the treble clef marks the staff for higher notes (right hand), the bass clef marks a second staff for lower notes (left hand). It is also called the F clef because the two dots of the bass clef symbol surround the fourth line, which is the note F.

Bass Clef Line Notes

The notes on the 5 lines of the bass clef staff, from bottom to top:

Line 5: A

Line 4: F

Line 3: D

Line 2: B

Line 1: G

Mnemonic (bottom to top): Good Boys Do Fine Always — G, B, D, F, A

Bass Clef Space Notes

The notes in the 4 spaces, from bottom to top:

Space 4: G

Space 3: E

Space 2: C

Space 1: A

Mnemonic (bottom to top): All Cows Eat Grass — A, C, E, G

Bass Clef Notes for LH C Position

In LH C position (one octave below Middle C), your notes map to the bass clef:

C (LH finger 5) — sits on the third space from the bottom
D (LH finger 4) — sits on line 4
E (LH finger 3) — sits on the fourth space
F (LH finger 2) — sits on line 5
G (LH finger 1) — sits just above the top line (on a ledger line above)

You do not need to memorize every bass clef note today. Focus on these five.

Quick Comparison

Clef	Used For	Mnemonic (Lines)	Mnemonic (Spaces)
Treble	Right hand (higher)	Every Good Boy Does Fine	FACE
Bass	Left hand (lower)	Good Boys Do Fine Always	All Cows Eat Grass

Technique (15 minutes)

C Position — Left Hand

LH C Position (one octave below Middle C):
C    D    E    F    G
5    4    3    2    1
(pinky)              (thumb)

Notice: LH numbering is a mirror of RH. In RH, finger 1 (thumb) plays the lowest note (C). In LH, finger 5 (pinky) plays the lowest note (C).

LH 5-Finger Pattern

Play slowly and evenly. Say the note names and finger numbers out loud:

X:1 T:LH C Position — Ascending & Descending M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass "5"C, "4"D, "3"E, "2"F, | "1"G, "2"F, "3"E, "4"D, | "5"C,4 |]

Repeat 5 times. Check:

Is your LH pinky (finger 5) curved? It tends to flatten.
Is your wrist level? LH wrists often droop because we are not used to using the left hand this way.

LH Steps and Skips

X:1 T:LH Steps Up & Down M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass "5"C, "4"D, "3"E, "2"F, | "1"G, "2"F, "3"E, "4"D, | "5"C,4 |]

X:1 T:LH Skips Up & Down M:3/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass "5"C, "3"E, "1"G, | "1"G, "3"E, "5"C, |]

X:1 T:LH Mixed Pattern M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass "5"C, "4"D, "3"E, "5"C, | "2"F, "3"E, "4"D, "5"C, |]

Play each line 3 times. The mixed pattern requires your hand to jump back to C — make sure finger 5 is ready.

Dynamics with LH

Play the ascending 5-finger pattern starting very softly (pp — pianissimo) and ending firmly (f — forte). Then reverse: start forte and end pianissimo on the way down. Your left hand should be just as expressive as your right.

Repertoire (20 minutes)

“Jingle Bells” (Simplified LH Melody) — Full Arrangement

This is a simplified version of the “Jingle Bells” chorus melody, arranged for your LEFT HAND in C position. Yes — you are playing a melody with your left hand. This builds LH independence.

Tempo: 100 BPM (brisk and cheerful) Time Signature: 4/4 Key: C position

Left Hand Only:

Place LH in C position (one octave below Middle C):

Finger 5 (pinky) on C
Finger 4 (ring) on D
Finger 3 (middle) on E
Finger 2 (index) on F
Finger 1 (thumb) on G

How to learn this piece:

Measures 1-2: Three E notes then rest. Simple and repetitive. “Jin-gle bells, (rest), jin-gle bells, (rest).” Repeat 5 times.

Measures 3-4: E(3), G(1), C(5), D(4) — notice the jump from G (thumb) down to C (pinky). This is the widest jump in the piece. Then E held for 3 beats. "Jin-gle all the way." Repeat 5 times.

Measures 5-6: F(2) four times, then F(2), E(3), E(3), E(3). "Oh what fun it is to ride." Repeat 5 times.

Measures 7-8: E(3), D(4), D(4), E(3), then D(4) held for 2 beats, G(1), rest. "In a one-horse o-pen sleigh." Repeat 5 times.

Full piece: Play all 8 measures. The trickiest part is the jump from G(1) to C(5) in Measure 3. Practice just that jump 5 extra times: play G with thumb, then immediately play C with pinky, back and forth.

”Jana Gana Mana” (RH Melody Intro) — Full Arrangement

This is the opening phrase of India’s national anthem. You will play just the first line with your right hand. This melody is deeply familiar and immediately satisfying to play.

Tempo: 72 BPM (slow, dignified pace — this is an anthem) Time Signature: 4/4 Key: C major (simplified to stay in a comfortable position)

Right Hand Only:

For this melody, you need a slightly extended position. Place your RH with:

Finger 1 (thumb) on C (Middle C)
Finger 2 (index) on D
Finger 3 (middle) on E
Finger 4 (ring) on F
Finger 5 (pinky) on G

The melody stays within C to G for this introductory phrase.

X:1 T:Jana Gana Mana (Intro) M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C "1"C "1"C "2"D "3"E | "3"E "3"E "3"E z | "3"E "4"F "5"G "5"G | "5"G2 z2 | "5"G "4"F "3"E "4"F | "3"E2 "2"D z |]

Note: This is a simplified arrangement that captures the spirit of the anthem’s opening. The actual anthem uses more notes and a different key, but this version gives you the recognizable melody within your current skill range.

How to learn it:

Measures 1-2: C, C, D, E — "Ja-na Ga-na." Then E, E, E, rest — "Ma-na (rest)." Play with a stately, dignified feeling. No rushing. Repeat 5 times.

Measures 3-4: E, F, G, G — “a-dhi-na-ya-ka.” Then G held for 2 beats, then silence. Let the G ring proudly. Repeat 5 times.

Measures 5-6: G, F, E, F — “ja-ya he.” Then E held for 2 beats, D, rest. The melody descends gently. Repeat 5 times.

Full intro: Play all 6 measures. This should feel solemn and beautiful. Play it with medium-to-firm touch — this is an anthem, not a lullaby.

Review & Homework (10 minutes)

Summary

Today you learned:

The bass clef: line notes (Good Boys Do Fine Always) and space notes (All Cows Eat Grass)
LH C position with mirrored finger numbering
“Jingle Bells” with your left hand — your first LH melody
“Jana Gana Mana” opening with your right hand — Indian music on the piano

Ear Training Exercise: Match the Note

This is your most challenging ear training exercise so far:

Close your eyes.
With your RH, press any random key in C position (C, D, E, F, or G).
Open your eyes briefly to see which key you pressed. Remember the sound.
Now close your eyes again and try to press the SAME key without looking.
Open your eyes — did you find it?

Do this 5 times. If it is too easy with 5 notes, expand to the full octave (C to the next C — 8 white keys).

Bonus challenge: Have someone else press a key (or use the CT-X9000IN’s built-in lesson feature to play a note). Without looking, find that note by ear. This is harder but incredibly valuable.

Self-Check Questions

What mnemonic helps you remember the bass clef LINE notes? (Answer: Good Boys Do Fine Always — G, B, D, F, A)
In LH C position, which finger plays C? (Answer: Finger 5, the pinky)
What are the first three notes of your “Jana Gana Mana” arrangement? (Answer: C, C, D)

Practice Homework (Before Next Session)

LH 5-finger pattern — C(5)-D(4)-E(3)-F(2)-G(1) ascending and descending, 10 times. Play with dynamics: soft up, loud down, then reverse. (3 minutes daily)
“Jingle Bells” LH — Full melody, 5 times through. Focus on the G-to-C jump in Measure 3. (5 minutes daily)
“Jana Gana Mana” RH — Full intro, 3 times through at a slow, dignified tempo. (3 minutes daily)
Review old pieces — Play “Ode to Joy” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” once each. (2 minutes daily)
Bass clef note names — Quiz yourself on the 5 LH C-position notes on the bass clef staff. Use mnemonics. (2 minutes daily)

Total daily practice: approximately 15 minutes.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

LH finger numbering confusion: Remember — LH pinky is 5 (on C), LH thumb is 1 (on G). This is the mirror of RH. If you play a wrong note, check which finger you used and verify the finger-to-note mapping.
LH playing too softly: Beginners tend to play the left hand much softer than the right because it feels less natural. Use the touch response: press firmly with your LH, just as you would with your RH. Your left hand melodies should be heard just as clearly.
Rushing “Jana Gana Mana”: This is an anthem. Play it slowly and deliberately. If it feels rushed, it loses its dignity. Count “1-2-3-4” for each measure.
Forgetting RH pieces: Your left hand is new and exciting, but do not neglect your right hand repertoire. Play each old piece at least once per practice session.

CT-X9000IN Tips

Exploring an Indian Tone for “Jana Gana Mana”

After you have practiced “Jana Gana Mana” on Grand Piano, try playing it with an Indian tone:

Tone 195 (Sitar) — a plucked Indian string sound
Tone 193 (Santoor) — a beautiful hammered dulcimer, traditional in Indian classical music

To change: Press TONE, type the 3-digit number, press ENTER. Play the melody. Hear how the Indian tones give it a completely different character. This is a glimpse of how the same notes can sound radically different depending on the instrument — a core concept in music.

Return to Tone 000 (Grand Piano) after exploring.

About Indian Music on Your Keyboard

Your CT-X9000IN has 43 Indian tones and 39 Indian rhythms. These are not gimmicks — they are high-quality sounds designed for Indian music. As you progress through the course, we will use them more. For now, just know they are there and waiting for you.