Session 8: Rhythm & More Chords
Overview
Section titled “Overview”- Phase: 2 — Building Blocks
- Duration: 1 hour
- Prerequisites: Completed Sessions 1-7. Can play C major scale (both hands) and C major chord. Understands whole and half steps.
Learning Objectives
Section titled “Learning Objectives”By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Explain and count in 4/4 time and 3/4 time
- Read and play eighth notes
- Build and play a G major chord (G-B-D)
- Play “When the Saints Go Marching In” with RH melody and LH chord accompaniment
- Use the CT-X9000IN built-in rhythm accompaniment while playing
Materials Needed
Section titled “Materials Needed”- Casio CT-X9000IN keyboard (Grand Piano tone — Tone 000, metronome ready)
- This lesson plan open beside you
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Section titled “Warm-Up (5 minutes)”C Major Scale — Both Hands
Section titled “C Major Scale — Both Hands”Play the C major scale separately, each hand once, at 60 BPM:
C Major Chord Warm-Up
Section titled “C Major Chord Warm-Up”Theory (10 minutes)
Section titled “Theory (10 minutes)”Time Signatures
Section titled “Time Signatures”A time signature appears at the beginning of every piece of music. It looks like a fraction — two numbers stacked on top of each other. It tells you two things:
4/4 Time (the most common)
- Top number (4): There are 4 beats in each measure.
- Bottom number (4): A quarter note gets 1 beat.
Every song you have played so far has been in 4/4 time. “Twinkle Twinkle,” “Ode to Joy,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb” — all 4/4.
3/4 Time (the waltz)
- Top number (3): There are 3 beats in each measure.
- Bottom number (4): A quarter note gets 1 beat.
3/4 time has a lilting, dancing feel. Think of a waltz: “OOM-pah-pah, OOM-pah-pah.” Beat 1 is slightly accented.
Try clapping:
- 4/4: Clap on every beat for 8 beats. Count “1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4.” All beats feel fairly equal, with beat 1 slightly stronger.
- 3/4: Clap on every beat for 9 beats. Count “1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3.” Beat 1 is stronger, beats 2 and 3 are lighter. Feel the “waltz” swing.
Eighth Notes
Section titled “Eighth Notes”So far you know three note values:
- Whole note = 4 beats
- Half note = 2 beats
- Quarter note = 1 beat
Now meet the eighth note — it gets half a beat. Two eighth notes fit in the time of one quarter note.
How to count eighth notes: Between each beat number, add “and” (written as ”+”):
4/4 with eighth notes:1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +(eighth notes on every count and every "+")Clap this pattern:
Quarter, quarter, eighth-eighth, quarter 1 2 3 + 4Then play it on Middle C:
The two quick notes on beat 3 are eighth notes. They should be exactly half the length of the quarter notes around them.
Technique (15 minutes)
Section titled “Technique (15 minutes)”The G Major Chord
Section titled “The G Major Chord”The G major chord is built from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the G major scale:
- G (root)
- B (third)
- D (fifth)
Finding B and D:
- B = the white key to the RIGHT of the 3-black-key group
- D = the white key BETWEEN the 2-black-key group (you already know this one)
RH G Major Chord:
Finger 1 on G, finger 3 on B, finger 5 on D. These notes are above Middle C. Press all three at the same time. Hold 4 beats. Release.
LH G Major Chord:
Finger 5 on G (below Middle C), finger 3 on B, finger 1 on D. Press all three. Hold 4 beats. Release.
Play each hand’s G chord 5 times.
Comparing C and G Chords
Section titled “Comparing C and G Chords”Play them back to back:
Listen to how the two chords sound different but related. The C chord feels “home” and the G chord creates a sense of expectation — it wants to return to C. This relationship is the foundation of Western harmony.
Chord Change Drill
Section titled “Chord Change Drill”Switch smoothly between C and G chords with your LH:
Repeat this 4-measure pattern 5 times at 60 BPM. The goal is smooth transitions — no pause between chords.
Tips for smooth chord changes:
- As you hold one chord, mentally prepare the finger positions for the next chord.
- Move all three fingers at the same time — do not move one finger at a time.
- Keep your hand close to the keys. Do not lift it high before landing on the next chord.
Eighth Note Exercise
Section titled “Eighth Note Exercise”Practice playing eighth notes on the keyboard:
Play at 60 BPM. Each click of the metronome = one beat. You play TWO notes per click for the eighth notes.
Repertoire (20 minutes)
Section titled “Repertoire (20 minutes)”“When the Saints Go Marching In” — Full Arrangement
Section titled ““When the Saints Go Marching In” — Full Arrangement”This classic song is perfect for this session: it is in 4/4 time, uses a mix of quarter and half notes (with a few eighth notes), and sounds great with C and G chord accompaniment.
Tempo: 80 BPM (bright, march-like tempo) Time Signature: 4/4 Key: C major
Right Hand:
RH uses an extended position. Place finger 1 on Middle C:
- Finger 1 on C
- Finger 2 on D
- Finger 3 on E
- Finger 4 on F
- Finger 5 on G
Learning approach:
Step 1: RH melody alone (5 minutes) Learn in 4-measure chunks:
- Measures 1-4: The famous opening riff. “Oh when the saints…” Repeat 5 times.
- Measures 5-8: “…go marching in.” Repeat 5 times.
- Measures 9-12: Middle section. Repeat 5 times.
- Measures 13-16: Final phrase — ending on a strong C. Repeat 5 times.
- Full RH: All 16 measures.
Step 2: LH chords alone (3 minutes) Play through the chord progression. Most measures are just holding the C chord. The G chord appears in Measures 4 (second half), 8, 12, 14 (second half), and 15. Practice the transitions.
Step 3: Both hands — 4 measures at a time (7 minutes)
- Measures 1-4 both hands, 3 times.
- Measures 5-8 both hands, 3 times.
- Measures 9-12 both hands, 3 times.
- Measures 13-16 both hands, 3 times.
- Full piece.
Dynamics:
- Measures 1-4: Start at medium-forte (mf) — this is a march, it should feel bold.
- Measures 5-8: Slightly softer.
- Measures 9-12: Build energy.
- Measures 13-16: Full forte (f) — strong, proud ending.
Review & Homework (10 minutes)
Section titled “Review & Homework (10 minutes)”Summary
Section titled “Summary”Today you learned:
- Time signatures: 4/4 (four beats per measure) and 3/4 (three beats per measure)
- Eighth notes: half the length of a quarter note, counted as “1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and”
- The G major chord: G-B-D
- “When the Saints Go Marching In” with melody and two-chord accompaniment
- How to use the CT-X9000IN rhythm accompaniment
Ear Training Exercise: Clap-Back Rhythms
Section titled “Ear Training Exercise: Clap-Back Rhythms”Have someone clap a short rhythm (or make one up in your head):
- Pattern 1: Clap: quarter, quarter, half. (1, 2, 3-4)
- Clap it back.
- Pattern 2: Clap: eighth-eighth, quarter, quarter, quarter. (1+, 2, 3, 4)
- Clap it back.
- Pattern 3: Clap: quarter, eighth-eighth, eighth-eighth, quarter. (1, 2+, 3+, 4)
- Clap it back.
If you are alone, make up a rhythm, clap it, then try to clap the exact same thing again. Rhythmic memory is a form of ear training.
Self-Check Questions
Section titled “Self-Check Questions”- How many beats are in one measure of 3/4 time? (Answer: 3)
- What three notes make up a G major chord? (Answer: G, B, D)
- How many eighth notes fit in one beat? (Answer: 2)
Practice Homework (Before Next Session)
Section titled “Practice Homework (Before Next Session)”- C major scale — RH and LH, 3 times each at 60 BPM. (3 minutes daily)
- C and G chord changes — LH: C chord (4 beats), G chord (4 beats), repeat 10 times. Aim for smooth, gapless transitions. (3 minutes daily)
- “When the Saints” — Full 16 measures, RH alone twice, then both hands twice. With metronome at 80 BPM. (6 minutes daily)
- Eighth note exercise — The ascending/descending pattern from the Technique section. 3 times at 60 BPM. (2 minutes daily)
- Review — “Twinkle Twinkle” once through, both hands. (2 minutes daily)
Total daily practice: approximately 16 minutes.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Section titled “Common Mistakes to Watch For”- Rushing eighth notes: Eighth notes should be exactly half the length of quarter notes. If they feel rushed or uneven, use the metronome and count “1-and-2-and” strictly.
- G chord wrong notes: The G chord is G-B-D, not G-C-D or G-B-E. Use the black key groups to verify: B is to the right of the 3-black-key group, D is between the 2-black-key group.
- Pausing between chord changes: When switching from C to G chord in the LH, there should be no gap of silence. Practice the change in isolation: C chord (hold), G chord (hold), C chord (hold), G chord (hold). The moment one chord releases, the next should already be sounding.
- Not counting beats in the held notes: In “When the Saints,” several measures have dotted half notes (3 beats). Count “1-2-3” during these holds, then play the next note on beat 4 (or rest).
CT-X9000IN Tips
Section titled “CT-X9000IN Tips”Built-In Rhythm Accompaniment
Section titled “Built-In Rhythm Accompaniment”Your CT-X9000IN has 250 built-in rhythms that play drum and bass patterns through the speakers. Playing along with a rhythm is more engaging than a metronome alone and builds your timing naturally.
How to use rhythms:
- Press the RHYTHM button.
- Browse through rhythms using the +/- buttons, or type a rhythm number.
- Try Rhythm 001 (8-Beat Rock) or Rhythm 005 (Pop) for a 4/4 feel.
- Press START/STOP to start the rhythm.
- Set the tempo to 80 BPM (or whatever the piece requires) using the tempo controls.
- Play “When the Saints” along with the rhythm.
- Press START/STOP to stop.
For “When the Saints Go Marching In,” try Rhythm 001 (8-Beat Rock) at 80 BPM. The drum pattern gives you a steady foundation to play over. It feels like performing with a band.
Play the piece once with just the metronome, then once with the rhythm accompaniment. Notice how much more musical and alive it feels with the rhythm section behind you.