Session 5: Preparing for Both Hands
Overview
Section titled “Overview”- Phase: 1 — Foundation
- Duration: 1 hour
- Prerequisites: Completed Sessions 1-4. Can play C position with both RH and LH separately. Can read treble and bass clef basics. Has played “Jingle Bells” LH and “Jana Gana Mana” RH.
Learning Objectives
Section titled “Learning Objectives”By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Understand the grand staff (treble + bass clef connected)
- Play simple parallel-motion exercises (both hands playing the same notes an octave apart)
- Play hands-alternating exercises (LH plays, then RH responds)
- Use the CT-X9000IN MIDI recorder to record one hand and practice the other on top
- Identify when both hands are playing in sync vs. out of sync
Materials Needed
Section titled “Materials Needed”- Casio CT-X9000IN keyboard (Grand Piano tone — Tone 000)
- This lesson plan open beside you
Important note: This session does NOT include a full both-hands song. That milestone comes in Session 6. Today is about building the coordination foundation — training your brain and hands to work together through simple, achievable exercises. This is the bridge between “one hand at a time” and “both hands together.”
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Section titled “Warm-Up (5 minutes)”RH 5-Finger Pattern
Section titled “RH 5-Finger Pattern”RH in C position on Middle C:
Play 3 times. Crescendo up, diminuendo down.
LH 5-Finger Pattern
Section titled “LH 5-Finger Pattern”LH in C position one octave below Middle C:
Play 3 times. Crescendo up, diminuendo down.
Quick Review Medley
Section titled “Quick Review Medley”- “Hot Cross Buns” (RH) — once through
- “Jingle Bells” (LH) — once through
If both feel solid, you are warmed up and ready.
Theory (10 minutes)
Section titled “Theory (10 minutes)”The Grand Staff
Section titled “The Grand Staff”When you combine the treble clef staff and the bass clef staff, connected by a vertical line and a bracket on the left side, you get the grand staff. This is how piano music is normally written:
Treble Clef (RH):---F------D------B------G------E--- ← Middle C sits on a ledger line BETWEEN the two stavesBass Clef (LH):---A------F------D------B------G---Key insight: Middle C is the bridge between the two staves. In treble clef, Middle C sits on a small ledger line just below the staff. In bass clef, Middle C sits on a small ledger line just above the staff. It is the same note — the same key on your keyboard — written in two different places depending on which hand plays it.
Why the Grand Staff Matters
Section titled “Why the Grand Staff Matters”When you see piano sheet music, you will always see two staves bracketed together:
- Top staff (treble clef) = what your right hand plays
- Bottom staff (bass clef) = what your left hand plays
Notes that are directly above/below each other on the grand staff are played at the same time. This is how composers tell you when to use both hands simultaneously.
For now, you do not need to read grand staff notation. You just need to understand the concept: two staves, two hands, played together.
Technique (15 minutes)
Section titled “Technique (15 minutes)”Exercise 1: Parallel Motion — Same Rhythm, Same Direction
Section titled “Exercise 1: Parallel Motion — Same Rhythm, Same Direction”Both hands play the same notes in the same rhythm, one octave apart. This is the simplest form of two-hand coordination because both hands do the exact same thing at the exact same time.
Place both hands in C position:
Exercise 1a: Step Up
Exercise 1b: Step Down
Exercise 1c: Up and Down Combined
How to practice this:
- First, play Exercise 1a with JUST your RH. Then just your LH. Then both together.
- Start VERY slowly — one note per 2 seconds.
- Focus on hearing BOTH notes sound at exactly the same moment. If one hand is early or late, slow down even more.
- Repeat each exercise 5 times.
Tempo: Start at 50-60 BPM. Speed is not the goal — synchronization is.
Exercise 2: Parallel Motion — Longer Notes
Section titled “Exercise 2: Parallel Motion — Longer Notes”Now try the same concept with longer note values, which gives you more time to think:
This is easier than quarter notes because you have more time between notes. Play 3 times.
Exercise 3: Hands Alternating
Section titled “Exercise 3: Hands Alternating”Now try something different — hands take turns instead of playing together:
Key skill: When one hand plays, the other hand LIFTS gently off the keys and rests. Do not keep the non-playing hand pressed down — let it hover just above the keys, ready for its turn.
Play through 3 times. This “conversation” between hands is the foundation for more complex two-hand playing.
Exercise 4: Simple Coordination — LH Holds, RH Moves
Section titled “Exercise 4: Simple Coordination — LH Holds, RH Moves”This is the first exercise where both hands are active at the same time but doing DIFFERENT things:
How to practice this:
- Play the LH part alone first. Just whole notes: C, E, G, C.
- Play the RH part alone. Just the quarter note patterns.
- Now combine: press the LH key and HOLD it while your RH plays its quarter notes above.
- The challenge is keeping the LH key pressed while the RH moves. Your brain wants to lift the LH when the RH plays. Resist that urge.
Start incredibly slowly. This is genuinely difficult for a beginner, and that is completely normal.
Repertoire (20 minutes)
Section titled “Repertoire (20 minutes)”Coordination Piece: “First Steps Together”
Section titled “Coordination Piece: “First Steps Together””This is not a famous song — it is a purpose-built exercise piece designed to give you the feeling of playing with both hands in a structured, musical way.
Tempo: 60 BPM (very slow — one beat per second) Time Signature: 4/4 Key: C position
Learning approach:
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Measures 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 are easy — both hands play the same note at the same time (unison). Press both keys simultaneously and hold.
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Measures 2, 4, 6 are the challenge — the LH holds its note while the RH changes. Focus on these three measures:
- In Measure 2: LH stays on C while RH plays D, then D again.
- In Measure 4: LH stays on E while RH plays F, then F again.
- In Measure 6: LH stays on G while RH plays F, then E.
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Practice just the “hard” measures (2, 4, 6) in isolation, 5 times each.
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Then play the full 8 measures. It should sound smooth and calm — like a gentle walk.
Dynamics: Play the entire piece at a soft, gentle volume (piano). This is meditation music. Let the notes breathe.
Using the CT-X9000IN MIDI Recorder
Section titled “Using the CT-X9000IN MIDI Recorder”Now it is time to use one of the most powerful features of your keyboard for learning.
What the MIDI recorder does: It records what you play, then plays it back through the speakers. You can then play along with the recording — which means you can record your LEFT hand, play it back, and practice your RIGHT hand on top of the playback.
How to use it for “First Steps Together”:
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Record the LH part:
- Press the RECORD button on the CT-X9000IN.
- Select Track 1.
- Press START/STOP to begin recording.
- Play the LH part of “First Steps Together” slowly (Measures 1-8, LH only).
- Press START/STOP to stop recording.
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Play back and practice RH on top:
- Press PLAY to hear your LH recording.
- While the LH recording plays through the speakers, play the RH part live.
- You are now hearing both hands — one from the recording, one from your live playing.
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Swap: Now record the RH part on Track 2. Play back Track 2 and practice LH on top.
This technique is a game-changer. It lets you experience the sound of both hands together while only having to focus on controlling one hand at a time. Use this method whenever you are learning a new two-hand piece.
Review & Homework (10 minutes)
Section titled “Review & Homework (10 minutes)”Summary
Section titled “Summary”Today you learned:
- The grand staff: treble and bass clef staves connected together
- Parallel-motion exercises: both hands playing the same notes simultaneously
- Hands-alternating exercises: taking turns between hands
- Simple coordination: LH holds long notes while RH moves
- “First Steps Together” — your first structured two-hand piece
- How to use the CT-X9000IN MIDI recorder for practice
Ear Training Exercise: Record and Play Along
Section titled “Ear Training Exercise: Record and Play Along”- Record a simple 3-note melody on the CT-X9000IN (e.g., C-D-E, played slowly with your RH).
- Play it back.
- While it plays, try to play along in real time using your LH (C(5)-D(4)-E(3), one octave below).
- Can you stay in sync with the recording?
Try 3 different short melodies. This trains your ear to listen while playing — a critical skill for ensemble and accompaniment playing.
Self-Check Questions
Section titled “Self-Check Questions”- What two staves make up the grand staff? (Answer: Treble clef staff on top, bass clef staff on bottom)
- In parallel motion, what are both hands doing? (Answer: Playing the same notes at the same time, one octave apart)
- Why is the MIDI recorder useful for learning two-hand pieces? (Answer: You can record one hand, play it back, and practice the other hand on top — hearing both parts while only controlling one)
Practice Homework (Before Next Session)
Section titled “Practice Homework (Before Next Session)”- Parallel motion exercise — Exercise 1c (up and down combined). Play 10 times daily. Focus on both hands hitting each note at exactly the same time. (3 minutes daily)
- Exercise 4 (LH holds, RH moves) — All 4 measures, 5 times through. This is the most important exercise to nail. (5 minutes daily)
- “First Steps Together” — Full 8 measures, 3 times through. Use the MIDI recorder at least once. (5 minutes daily)
- Review pieces — “Ode to Joy” RH, “Jingle Bells” LH, “Jana Gana Mana” RH — once each. (3 minutes daily)
Total daily practice: approximately 16 minutes.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Section titled “Common Mistakes to Watch For”- LH lifting when RH plays: The most common coordination mistake. When your RH plays a new note, your brain wants your LH to release its held note. Fight this — consciously keep the LH key pressed. It takes practice.
- Speeding up on easy parts: The unison measures (1, 3, 5, 7, 8) feel easier, so you may speed up. Then you hit a coordination measure (2, 4, 6) and slow down. Keep a consistent tempo throughout.
- Tension in shoulders and forearms: Two-hand playing is mentally demanding. Your body responds to mental effort with physical tension. Every 2 minutes, check: are your shoulders relaxed? Is your jaw unclenched? Shake out your hands for 5 seconds.
- Skipping the MIDI recorder: The recorder feels like a “bonus” but it is a core tool. Use it at least once per practice session this week. The skill of listening while playing is fundamental.
CT-X9000IN Tips
Section titled “CT-X9000IN Tips”MIDI Recorder Quick Reference
Section titled “MIDI Recorder Quick Reference”To Record:
- Press RECORD (or the button labeled with a red circle)
- Select a track (Track 1 is fine)
- Press START/STOP to begin recording — play your part
- Press START/STOP to stop recording
To Play Back:
- Press PLAY (or the button with a triangle symbol)
- Your recording plays through the speakers
- Play along live on the keyboard
To Clear a Recording:
- With recording stopped, hold RECORD and follow the on-screen prompts to clear the track
Tip: Record at a slightly slower tempo than you think you need. When you play back and perform the other hand on top, you will be grateful for the extra time.
Phase 1 Checkpoint
Section titled “Phase 1 Checkpoint”You have now completed Phase 1 (Sessions 1-5: Foundation). Before moving on, take the self-assessment at Phase 1 Checkpoint to verify your progress.
Preparing for Next Session
Section titled “Preparing for Next Session”Next session is the big one — “Both Hands Together” with a real song. The better you nail the exercises from this session, the easier Session 6 will be. Do not skip your homework this week.