Intervals, Keyboard Layout, and Fingering

Benefits

Use intervals to analyze music, both notation and sound.

Apply intervals to keyboard layout.

Use fingering based on intervals on the keyboard layout.

 

The Music

"Gankino Horo" from Northern Bulgaria----

Sheet music is posted at:

https://musescore.com/jmib/gankino-horo-traditionnel-bulgare

Performance video is posted at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iziARwnTYA

 

 

The Practice

Apply the keyboard's direction for half steps and whole step (two half steps).

This is best applied where music is scale-wise with accidentals.

For example, on a B-System half steps go diagonal from left to the right and whole steps go diagonal from right to the left.

The reverse is true for a C-System where whole steps go diagonal from left to the right and half steps go diagonal from the right to the left.

So, where the music moves up or down by half step, use the half-step diagonal.

Where the music moves up or down by whole step, use the whole-step diagonal.

 

 

The Application

Using the music example above, analyze measure one for note for note by interval.

Apply the keyboard's direction for half steps and whole step (two half steps).


The time signature is 11/8 (2 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2) with the third beat being the longest and strongest.


--Measure One--

The grace note to beat two is a whole step below beat two, so is fingered using the whole-step diagonal.

Apply the keyboard's direction for half steps and whole step (two half steps).

The last four eighth notes of measure one are a descending whole step, followed by a descending half step, and followed next by a descending whole step.

So the fingering descends on the whole step diagonal, followed by a descent on the half-step diagonal, and followed next by a descent on the whole step row.


--Measure Two--

Measure two begins with an ascending minor third (three half steps), which on either B-System or C-System is the button directly below.

Then beats one and two of measure two is a descending half step, followed by a descending whole step, and followed next by a descending half step.

(Recall that the naturally occurring half steps are between C-B and F-E.)

Measure two contains examples of the two naturally occurring half steps. One is at beat one and the other is at the last beat of the measure.

After analyzing the intervals in measure two, we see that the measure contains every interval between a half step and a major third (four half-steps).


So far we have covered fingering a half step, a whole step (two half-steps), and a minor third (three half-steps).


Using this information we can figure out the fingering for the major third (four half-steps). It is a minor third (three half-steps) plus another half step.

In this case the major third is ascending and located in measure two at the later part of beat three (the "F" going up to "A"). So, relative to the "F" the "A" is the button directly below plus one button down the half-step diagonal.

 

 

The Larger Intervals

An critical area for practice is accuracy on the larger intervals, for example fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and octave.

A large interval often has smaller intervals, half-step through thirds, nearby.

So, by considering the fingering of small intervals, you can improve the analysis and fingering of the music.


--Line Two, Measure One--

Using the music example above, on the second line, the first measure going into beat four ("G#") is a descending half step after an ascending fifth. By applying what you know about playing descending half steps, you can improve your confidence in playing the "A" then the "G#."

Often patterns repeat. So getting confident on the "A" to "G#" pattern, you get more confident for the same interval is measures two, three, and four of line two.


--Section Three, Measure Two--

Another large interval pattern is used on the line three going into measure two ("A" "E" "F#" "D"). The intervals are an ascending fifth, followed by an ascending whole step, and followed next by a descending major third.

This pattern repeats on the last line going into measure two ("D" "A" "B" "G").

 

 

Summary

Analyzing and fingering music based on intervals will improve your understanding, accuracy, and performance of music.

 

Reading and Playing Music Notation

Benefits

Link notes, chords, scales, intervals and keys to music notation.

Link music notation to keyboard finger location and patterns.

Use the notated music to analyze musical structure and determine best fingering note fingering.

Link rhythm notation to rhythm patterns.

Play the music using three different fingering patterns: first the scale based on finger 1, then the scale based on finger 2, and finally the scale based on finger 3.

The Music

A useful collection of music is posted at:

http://www.bushtraditions.org/tutors/inrow.htm

The Practice

Select a tune.

Using finger position 1, locate and play the tune's notes. Then play the tune in rhythm at a slow steady tempo. 

Using finger position 2, do the same.

Using finger position 3, do the same.

With practice, increase the tempo of the tune up to dance speed.

Select another tune and do the same steps to play the tune in each finger position.

Flexible Fingering Patterns

To reestablish basic finger flexibility, accuracy, and patterns, begin and end each practice day with scales and chords in every key throughout the keyboard and use the three fingering patterns, those based on finger 2, on finger 3 and finger 4.

During the practice day, when working on current and new music projects, you notice that the scale used in various musical sections shifts, usually to a related key based on the Circle of Fifths.

You notice that you are playing a scale pattern but the basic pattern is now based on a different finger.  For example, you start playing the first section using a scale pattern based on finger 2. In the next section the scale and chords shift to a related key with a pattern based on finger 4.

So rather than always shifting your fingers to play scales based on finger 2, by playing scales equally well based on fingers 2, 3, and 4, you don't have to move your hand position, which helps playing accuracy.

Finger and Mental Flexibility Exercise

On a C major scale, start on G with finger 3 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 2.) 

Using the same major scale, start on G with finger 4 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 3.) 

Using the same major scale, start on G with finger 2 and play down to C and back up to G. (Notice that the C was played with finger 4.) 

Now mix up the patterns by playing alternate buttons on half of the pattern. For example, start with finger 3 on G and end with finger 4 on C. Then shift the finger 4 on C to finger 3. Start playing the pattern upwards and half way up shift to alternate buttons and end on G with finger 2. Mix the pattern up into its various combinations.

For practice, work out various fingerings on Irish jigs and reels. 

http://www.irishtune.info/session/tunes.php

http://www.novasession.org/sheetmusic.html#.Uyj8yPldVyJ

http://www.thegrotonsession.com/tuneindex.html

Fingering Patterns for Chromatic Accordion

Searching the internet confirms this idea of combining fingering patterns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_button_accordion 

Types of Fingering

On the left hand, use finger 3 as the basis for the scale.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Accordion/Left_hand/Lesson_4 

Robert Smith, although for piano accordion, explores the variety of fingering styles that you can adapt to your practice.

http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/reviews/smith-rl_fingering.html

Eric Butterworth has amassed a resource for Bulgarian folk accordion music. He recommends fingering based on fingers 1 (thumb), 2 and 3. His fingering drills are an excellent resource to adapt to your current fingering practice.

http://www.goldov.com/butterw/emdb/

http://www.goldov.com/butterw/emdb/tutorial.html

Sandra Milosevic plays Serbian and Bulgarian folk music on piano accordion using primarily fingers 1, 2, and 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ8Vr9bs8ag&list=RDr72harldNuU 

However, for chromatic button accordion, use fingers 2, 3, and 4, as shown in the link below by Danijela Predic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyIHsDOANY8

Super Mario Theme on CBA

How about some chordal playing? The left hand is in Free Bass mode, playing single notes on all buttons. This feature is not commonly available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GI2a7_XfKaI

Add Grace Note Patterns Throughout the Keyboard

Simple tunes become more interesting when embellishments (grace notes) are added to the basic melody.

Now that you are comfortable with scale and chord patterns throughout the keyboard based on one finger pattern, adding a grace note pattern to each note adds flexibility to your playing. Embellishments often use notes a half step below and above the main note. Hence, you are incorporating non-scale notes into your playing. Hence interest to the music. 

Because you are adding non-scale notes, you want to be very secure with scales and chords before adding grace notes. Otherwise, you become confused and frustrated.

Embellishments

The basic grace note is playing a half step below or above the main note before playing the main note.

The turn embellishment is playing a half step below the main note, then playing the main note, then playing a half step above the main note, then playing the main note or beginning a half step above the main note and reversing the pattern.

The following link lists various types of embellishments. 


http://dictionary.onmusic.org/appendix/topics/ornaments

Stylistic Musical Ornamentation

Various musical styles often involve particular types of ornamentation.


For example, Bulgarian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfM1tX1efeQ


For example, Irish at the link below.

http://www.tradschool.com/en/tunes/ornamentation-in-irish-music


For example, ornament performance at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGvRUIO170w


For example, Serbian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCrNORbMuR0


For example, Romanian at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrjIFrGr5Gc


Noam Oxman plays a song in its original style, then in Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian styles. Notice the different use of grace notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17BI-tHI-4

Getting Around the Keyboard

Now you want to really settle in a scale pattern. 

For example, the major scale with the fingering that starts with finger 2.


The goal is to be comfortable and accurate throughout the keyboard.

The outcome you are working for is to be play the pattern naturally without thinking about it. Then increase speed while maintaining consistent rhythm and accuracy.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Begin with the lowest note on the keyboard than has two rows of buttons to the right so that you can play the finger 2 pattern.

Play the major scale to the highest note then back down using fingers 2, 3 and 4.

Then play the scale's major chord from the beginning note to the highest chord note and back down using fingers 2, 3, and 4.

In the left hand play the root and major chord while the right hand is playing the corresponding scale and chord.


Now go up a half step and do the same thing on half step higher. Begin with finger 2 on a button that has two rows to the right. Use the same fingers and the same pattern.  Play the scale then the chord while playing the root and major chord with the left hand.

Continue going up by half steps until you have played all of the major scales.


Again, the goal is to become comfortable and accurate throughout the keyboard at various tempos (speeds).  


Next would be to do the same thing using the natural minor scale.

Then harmonic minor scale.

Then melodic minor scale.

Then dominant seventh scale.

Then minor seventh scale.

Then diminished scale


You notice that the consistent fingering of starting with finger 2 is increasing your confidence to play anywhere on the keyboard. 

Natural Minor Scales using song "Apple" (Яблочко)

Natural Minor Scale

The Russian Sailor Dance "Яблочко" (transliterated Ya-bloch-ka) uses all of the notes of the natural minor scale.

The natural minor scale uses the notes of its related major scale.  The natural minor of "C" Major is "A" natural minor. So a natural minor scale based on "C" Major are the notes from "A" to "A."

So practice the major scales using the three fingering patterns (finger 2 on C, finger 3 on C, and finger 4 on C).

Then go down two steps and practice the same scales from "A" to "A."

A lot of songs use minor keys, so it is good to get comfortable with the fingering pattern of a minor scale. 

After you get comfortable with the natural minor scale, add in chords, arpeggios, note patterns and chromatics.

Theme and Variations

A lot of songs are played in the form of theme and variations, in which more and different notes are played each time the song is repeated.

The following video demonstrates this style of playing using the song "Яблочко."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi4jV4BAWEY

The song's notes:

A   A   E F G      E  F  D   A  E  C      A  D  D  A  B  C      C   B   A  B  C   A  

A  D  D  A  B  C      C  B  A  B  C  A

Chords - Arpeggiated Melodies

Many melodies are chord notes played in sequence with occasional scale notes added. So, many melodies can be played by placing fingers over chord patterns. The thumb (finger 1) becomes useful for playing the lowest notes in a chord.

A song that demonstrates an arpeggiated melody is Clarinet Polka. 
["The Clarinet Polka" or "A Hupfata"^[1] (Polish "Polka Dziadek", Estonian "Vanaisa polka", Russian "Полька Дедушка" – Grandpa Polka)]

https://www.google.com/search?q=clarinet+polka&safe=off&espv=210&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=W237UofrEIrJ0gGV_YDACw&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=932&bih=687

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCMzRLov58

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarinet_Polka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqKxcNVtm9k

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Performance

At the beginning of each practice session, reestablish and reinforce perfect performance of the basics before introducing work on a new skill.

Scale and chord patterns are based on using three vertical rows of buttons.

Finger 2 in the Left-most Vertical Row of Three Rows

The primary pattern begins with finger 2 in the left-most vertical row of buttons.

Begin with two-octave chromatic scales up and down. When you have played them several times correctly, evenly, and crisply, move on to the next skill.

Play major scale two octaves up and down.  After several correct performances, move to the next skill.

Play natural minor scale two octaves up and down.  After several correct performances, move to the next skill.

Play major and minor scale segments of three to six notes up and down.

Finger 3 in the Center Vertical Row of Three Rows

Move the hand to the left one row and perform the above sequence beginning with finger 3 in the center of the three vertical rows.

Finger 4 in the Right Vertical Row of Three Rows

Move the hand to the left one row and perform the above sequence beginning with finger 4 in the right of the three vertical rows.

Chord Notes as Melody

As you play more music, adapt the basic playing techniques to the requirements of the music. 

For example, you start with a finger 2 pattern, but a certain section fits more easily using a finger 3 pattern.  Experiment with blending various fingering patterns to best fit the music requirements.

Chord Patterns

The primary pattern begins with finger 2 in the left-most vertical row of buttons.

Perform a major chord arpeggio two octaves up and down.

Then perform a minor chord arpeggio two octaves up and down.

Then perform a dominant seventh arpeggio two octaves up and down.