Playing Across the Keyboard

The Approach

As discussed in the previous post, playing across the keyboard encourages thinking about

• Intervals  -- half step, whole step, minor third, and also major third, fourth and fifth
• Chords -- anchor notes, chord positions, and arpeggios

The Music

I found this song to draw you across the rows as you use alternative buttons. Then about half way through the song, using convenient buttons you are drawn back toward the starting rows.

The song is the slow Russian romance song "I Met You" or in Russian "Я ВСТРЕТИЛ ВАС" (Ja Vstretil Vas).

The following link includes Russian words, a lead sheet, and a three-page piano score.
http://a-pesni.org/romans/javstretil.htm

The following video includes a transliteration of the Russian text on the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5SxLw2ea8A

The following video shows the song being played on a C-griff keyboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXasED5Snxk

The following video shows chordal accompaniment and improvisation being played on a B-griff keyboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxSAw9gRyZY

The Practice

The song's resources provides you plenty to work on.

1. Start with the lead sheet and play the melody.
   
2. Then using the lead sheet, play the melody as chords.
   
3. Then play the melody using arpeggiated chords.
   
4. Then play the piano part using both hands.
   
5. Finally, sing the Russian text with the aid of the video that displays the transliteration of the Russian text.

The Result

Your playing capabilities will increase.

You will have a nice song to perform.