Session 10: Putting It Together

Overview

• Phase: 2 — Building Blocks
• Duration: 1 hour
• Prerequisites: Completed Sessions 1-9. Can play C, F, G chords and switch between them. Can play C major scale with both hands. Has played “When the Saints” and the Bollywood melody with chord accompaniment.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Play the G major scale with both hands using correct fingering
2. Understand the key of G major (one sharp: F#)
3. Play a simplified arrangement of “Let It Be” with melody and chord accompaniment
4. Record a complete performance on the CT-X9000IN
5. Self-evaluate your Phase 2 progress and identify strengths and areas for growth

Materials Needed

• Casio CT-X9000IN keyboard (Grand Piano tone — Tone 000, metronome and recorder ready)
• This lesson plan open beside you

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Warm-Up (5 minutes)

C Major Scale — Both Hands

X:1 T:C Major Scale Warm-Up M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C V:1 clef=treble name="RH" V:2 clef=bass name="LH" V:1 "1"C "2"D "3"E "1"F | "2"G "3"A "4"B "5"c | "5"c "4"B "3"A "2"G | "1"F "3"E "2"D "1"C | V:2 "5"C, "4"D, "3"E, "2"F, | "1"G, "3"A, "2"B, "1"C | "1"C "2"B, "3"A, "1"G, | "2"F, "3"E, "4"D, "5"C, |

Play at 60 BPM, one time each hand.

Three-Chord Warm-Up

X:1 T:Three-Chord Warm-Up M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass [C,E,G,]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [C,E,G,]4 |

Repeat 3 times. Smooth, gapless transitions.

”Tujhe Dekha Toh” — First 4 Measures

Play Measures 1-4 (both hands) once to get your fingers and ears engaged.

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Theory (10 minutes)

The Key of G Major

So far, all your music has been in the key of C major — using only white keys. Now you step into a new key: G major.

The G major scale uses the same whole-step/half-step pattern as C major (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), but starting on G:

G --W--> A --W--> B --H--> C --W--> D --W--> E --W--> F# --H--> G

Notice the F#! In G major, the note F is raised to F# (F-sharp). F# is the black key between F and G — the right-most key in the group of 3 black keys.

The G major scale: G A B C D E F# G

This single change — F becomes F# — gives G major its slightly brighter, more open character compared to C major.

Key Signatures

Instead of writing a sharp sign before every F in the music, composers put a key signature at the beginning of each line. The key signature for G major shows one sharp (on the F line), meaning: “every F in this piece is played as F#, unless otherwise marked.”

For now, just remember: G major = one sharp = F becomes F#.

Why Learn a Second Key?

Learning a second key proves that scales, chords, and melodies are not tied to specific keys — they are patterns that can be moved anywhere on the keyboard. The same pattern that gives you “Ode to Joy” in C major can give you “Ode to Joy” in G major. The melody sounds the same but at a different pitch. This is the concept of transposition you heard briefly in Session 6.

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Technique (15 minutes)

G Major Scale — Right Hand

RH G Major Scale Fingering:

Note: G A B C D E F# G

Finger: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

^ thumb under finger 3 (same as C major)

Start with RH finger 1 on the G above Middle C:

1. Play: G(1), A(2), B(3).
2. Thumb under: pass thumb under finger 3 to land on C.
3. Continue: C(1), D(2), E(3), F#(4), G(5).

Coming back down:

Note: G F# E D C B A G

Finger: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

^ finger 3 over thumb

Important: F# is the black key between F and G. Your ring finger (4) should curve naturally onto this black key. Do not flatten your finger — use the tip.

Practice the crossover point:

RH: B(3) → C(1) → B(3) → C(1) — repeat 10 times

Then full scale at 50 BPM:

X:1 T:G Major Scale — Right Hand M:4/4 L:1/4 K:G "1"G "2"A "3"B "1"c | "2"d "3"e "4"f "5"g | "5"g "4"f "3"e "2"d | "1"c "3"B "2"A "1"G |

Play 5 times.

G Major Scale — Left Hand

LH G Major Scale Fingering:

Going up:

Note: G A B C D E F# G

Finger: 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

^ finger 3 over thumb

Going down:

Note: G F# E D C B A G

Finger: 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

^ thumb under finger 3

Start with LH finger 5 on the G below Middle C:

1. Play: G(5), A(4), B(3), C(2), D(1).
2. Finger 3 crosses over the thumb to land on E.
3. Continue: E(3), F#(2), G(1).

Practice:

LH: D(1) → E(3) → D(1) → E(3) — repeat 10 times

Full LH scale at 50 BPM:

X:1 T:G Major Scale — Left Hand M:4/4 L:1/4 K:G clef=bass "5"G, "4"A, "3"B, "2"C | "1"D "3"E "2"F "1"G | "1"G "2"F "3"E "1"D | "2"C "3"B, "4"A, "5"G, |

Play 5 times.

Chord Review: C, F, G All Together

Let us reinforce all three chords before the repertoire piece:

X:1 T:Chord Review — C, F, G, F, C M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C clef=bass [C,E,G,]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 |

Play this 3 times at 60 BPM. This is the kind of chord progression you will use in the repertoire piece.

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Repertoire (20 minutes)

“Let It Be” (Simplified) — Full Arrangement

This iconic Beatles song is built on a chord progression that uses exactly the chords you know: C, G, F, and one more easy variation. This simplified arrangement stays within your skill range while capturing the spirit of the original.

Tempo: 72 BPM (slow, hymn-like) Time Signature: 4/4 Key: C major

Right Hand:

Place RH with finger 1 on Middle C. You will need to reach up to A and B above G occasionally by shifting your hand or stretching.

X:1 T:Let It Be (Simplified) M:4/4 L:1/4 K:C V:1 clef=treble name="RH" V:2 clef=bass name="LH" %%text Verse V:1 "5"G "5"G "5"G "5"A | "5"G2 "3"E "5"G | "5"A "5"A "5"A "5"G | "5"G3 z | "5"G "5"G "5"G "5"A | "5"G2 "3"E "3"E | "2"D "3"E "4"F "3"E | "3"E2 "2"D z | %%text Chorus "5"A "5"A "5"G "5"A | "5"G2 "3"E "5"G | "5"A "5"A "5"G "5"G | "5"G3 z | "5"G "5"G "5"G "5"A | "5"G2 "3"E "3"E | "2"D "3"E "4"F "3"E | "1"C3 z | %%text Verse V:2 [C,E,G,]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 | [C,E,G,]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 | %%text Chorus [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 | [G,B,D]4 | [F,A,C]4 | [C,E,G,]4 |

Note about A: The note A is played by stretching finger 5 (pinky) from G up to A, or by briefly shifting your hand position one key to the right. Return to C position after playing A. For this arrangement, A is the highest note you need.

The chord progression is: C - G - F - C (repeated) for the verse, and F - C - G - F - C - G - F - C for the chorus. This is one of the most famous chord progressions in popular music.

Note: The original “Let It Be” uses an A minor chord (Am) which you will learn in Session 11. For now, we substitute F major, which keeps the song playable and sounds great.

Learning approach:

Step 1: RH melody alone (5 minutes)

• Measures 1-4 (Verse, first half): “When I find myself in times of trouble…” Repeat 5 times. The melody is mostly G notes with an occasional rise to A. Focus on the A reaches.
• Measures 5-8 (Verse, second half): Similar pattern but resolves down to D. Repeat 5 times.
• Measures 9-12 (Chorus, first half): “Let it be, let it be…” The chorus has more movement between A and G. Repeat 5 times.
• Measures 13-16 (Chorus, second half): Resolves to C — the home note. Repeat 5 times.
• Full RH: All 16 measures.

Step 2: LH chords alone (3 minutes) Play through all 16 measures of chords. The pattern is very regular — each chord lasts 4 beats. Practice the transitions, especially C→G, G→F, and F→C.

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 16 measures.

Dynamics:

• Verse (Measures 1-8): Soft and reflective (mp — mezzo-piano). This is a quiet, contemplative song.
• Chorus (Measures 9-16): Build slightly to mezzo-forte. The chorus has more conviction.
• Measure 16 (final C): Let it ring. This is the resolution. Firm but not loud.

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Review & Homework (10 minutes)

Recording Your Performance

This is the Session 10 milestone: record yourself playing a complete piece on the CT-X9000IN.

How to do it:

1. Choose the piece you feel most confident about: “Let It Be,” “When the Saints,” “Twinkle Twinkle,” or “Tujhe Dekha Toh.” Whichever one you can play most comfortably with both hands.
2. Set up the CT-X9000IN recorder (see CT-X9000IN Tips below).
3. Play the piece all the way through. Do NOT stop if you make a mistake — keep going. Real performances have small imperfections. That is part of being human.
4. Play back your recording and LISTEN. Ask yourself:
   • Was the rhythm steady?
   • Could you hear the melody clearly over the chords?
   • Were there spots where you hesitated?
   • Did the dynamics vary, or was everything the same volume?
5. Record it again if you want. Compare the two takes.

This recording is your “Phase 2 graduation” snapshot. Keep it. In 10 sessions, you will record again and hear how much you have improved.

Ear Training Exercise: Play the First 4 Notes

1. Think of a familiar song — any song you know well (it does not have to be from this course).
2. Try to figure out the FIRST 4 NOTES of the melody by ear on the keyboard. Start on any note that sounds right and work out the intervals.
3. Suggested songs to try:
   • “Happy Birthday” (start on G: G-G-A-G)
   • “Sare Jahan Se Achha” (start on C: C-C-D-E)
   • “Twinkle Twinkle” (you already know this one)

This is your first “playing by ear” exercise. It is hard and you may not get it right. That is fine. The act of trying builds your ear dramatically.

Summary: What You Have Accomplished in 10 Sessions

Take a moment to appreciate how far you have come:

• Session 1: You did not know where Middle C was.
• Session 10: You play scales, chords, and complete songs with both hands.

Specifically, you can now:

• Play the C major and G major scales with both hands
• Play C, F, and G major chords and switch between them
• Read treble and bass clef notation
• Count in 4/4 and 3/4 time, including eighth notes
• Play 7+ melodies and songs, including Indian music
• Use the CT-X9000IN metronome, recorder, rhythm accompaniment, and multiple tones
• Play with dynamic variation (soft, medium, loud)
• Play your first melody-with-chords arrangements

You have completed Phase 1 (Foundation) and Phase 2 (Building Blocks). You are no longer a “complete beginner.” You are a developing pianist.

Self-Check Questions

1. What note is sharp in the key of G major? (Answer: F — it becomes F#)
2. What chord progression does “Let It Be” use in the verse? (Answer: C - G - F - C)
3. When recording a performance, should you stop if you make a mistake? (Answer: No — keep going. Real performances continue through mistakes.)

Practice Homework (Before Next Session)

• G major scale — RH and LH, 3 times each at 50 BPM. Remember F#. (3 minutes daily)
• C major scale — RH and LH, 2 times each at 66 BPM (slightly faster now). (2 minutes daily)
• “Let It Be” — Full 16 measures, both hands, 3 times at 72 BPM. (5 minutes daily)
• Record yourself — At least once this week, record a full piece and listen back. (5 minutes total)
• Choose your best piece — Of all the songs you have learned, pick one “showpiece” to polish to your highest level. Play it every day with full dynamics. (3 minutes daily)
• Complete Phase 2 Checkpoint — After your practice this week, take the self-assessment in Phase 2 Checkpoint. Be honest — it is for your benefit.

Total daily practice: approximately 18 minutes (plus one recording session during the week).

Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Forgetting F# in G major: Every F in the G major scale is F-sharp. If you play F-natural, it will sound wrong — “sour” or “flat.” If something sounds off, check whether you are hitting the black key (F#) instead of the white key (F).
• G major scale wrong fingering: The RH fingering for G major is 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 (same pattern as C major). The LH fingering is 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Do not use C major fingering starting on G — the thumb-under happens at the same interval pattern but on different notes.
• “Let It Be” melody too mechanical: This song should feel like a conversation, not a drill. Let the half notes breathe. Let the dotted half notes ring. Use dynamics — the verse is softer, the chorus a little stronger. Music is about expression, not just correct notes.
• Performance anxiety during recording: Recording yourself can feel stressful. Remember: this recording is for you alone. No one else will hear it unless you choose to share it. Relax, breathe, and play.

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CT-X9000IN Tips

Recording a Full Performance

Step 1: Set Up

1. Select Grand Piano (Tone 000).
2. Adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
3. Press the RECORD button.
4. Select a free track (e.g., Track 1).

Step 2: Record

1. Press START/STOP to begin recording.
2. Wait 1-2 seconds of silence (a clean start).
3. Play your chosen piece all the way through.
4. When finished, wait 1-2 seconds of silence (a clean ending).
5. Press START/STOP to stop recording.

Step 3: Listen Back

1. Press PLAY to hear your recording.
2. Listen critically but kindly. Note what you like and what you want to improve.

Step 4: Re-Record (Optional) If you want to try again, clear the track and re-record. Many professional musicians do 5-10 takes before choosing their best one. Perfection is not the goal — musicality and enjoyment are.

Performance Tip

Before you hit record, take 3 slow breaths. Place your hands on the keys. Visualize the first 4 measures in your mind. Then start. This brief ritual calms your nerves and focuses your mind. Professional performers do this before every concert.

Looking Ahead

In Session 11, you will enter the world of minor keys — a whole new emotional palette. The CT-X9000IN will help you explore the difference between major and minor sounds. Make sure your keyboard is set up and ready before next time.