Teaching Cross Rhythms - part 5

By Dr. Nancy Allred

Featuring practice steps for Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2 – by Johannes Brahms

(2 against 3)

Last week a cute DSU student knocked on my studio door and asked for help with the cross rhythm section (mm. 49-56) of the Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, no. 2 by Johannes Brahms. I was in the middle of an online lesson, so I couldn’t help her right then, but later, I found her in a practice room and gave her a few tips. I promised her that I would email her some practice sheets, which I did, and also encouraged her to watch my YouTube videos on cross rhythms. 

Teaching Cross Rhythms - part 4

By Dr. Nancy Allred

Featuring practice steps for Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 – by Chopin

(3 against 2)

This segment of teaching cross rhythms will focus on the beautiful Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 by Frederic Chopin. It is a lovely example of 3 against 2, with triplets in the RH and duplet 8ths in the LH. This is a particularly challenging example as there is only a single beat of “3 against 2” in the entire piece. The difficulty for students is feeling the 3 against 2 because of where it comes from and where it is going after that beat.

Teaching Cross Rhythms - part 3

By Dr. Nancy Allred

Featuring practice steps for "Glassworks," by Philip Glass
(3 against 2)

Piano Q&A on YouTube: Teaching Cross Rhythms - pt 3

My wonderful colleague, Dr. Glenn Webb, reminded me of a marvelous chamber work, Glassworks, by the distinguished composer, Philip Glass. The first movement, “Opening” is a terrific example of 3 against 2. The opening movement has triplets in the RH and duplet 8ths in the LH. It is repetitive throughout, and I love this repetitiveness because, so often in
cross rhythms, there will be a single beat of “3 against 2,” or “2 against 3.” This can be quite a challenge to feel that rhythm when everything before and after that beat can be so different. In this movement, Philip Glass has given us a beautiful and mesmerizing piece of 3 against 2, and he has also given us the repetition necessary to truly learn to feel this wonderful rhythm!

Teaching Cross Rhythms - part 2

By Dr. Nancy Allred

Featuring the Sonata in F Major, K. 332 (1st movement) - by Mozart

Piano Q&A on YouTube: Teaching Cross Rhythms - pt 2

In continuing our discussion of teaching those pesky cross rhythms, I will focus on an excerpt from the Mozart Sonata in F Major, K. 332 (1^st movement). There is a wonderful passage of 2 against 3 in the first movement that continues for two measures, which is so helpful as the 2 against 3 is repeated 6 times!

Teaching Cross Rhythms - part 1

By Dr. Nancy Allred

Piano Q&A on YouTube: Teaching Cross Rhythms - pt 1

My first experience with cross rhythms was in middle school. My piano teacher, Rowan Taylor, assigned me to learn the Serenade by Schubert, which is a transcription of an art song for voice and piano. The Serenade is a wonderful example of “3 against 2,” with triplets in the RH, and duplet 8ths in the LH. 

Teaching 5-finger patterns!

By Dr. Nancy Allred

I have taught 5-finger patterns to students throughout my entire teaching career. Here are some
of my favorite tips for teaching these wonderful technical exercises.