Lesson 4: Low C, Low D, Low E — Both Hands at Work
- Play clear low E, D and C.
- Play clear low A, G and F on your alto staff.
- Play a folk song whose lines drop to the low notes.
Use gentle, steady air for low notes.
Start on a clear left-hand note, then add your right fingers one step at a time.
Low E
Low A
Thumb and three left fingers, plus the first two right fingers.
Thumb and three left fingers, plus the first two right fingers.
Low D
Low G
Add the right ring finger to the E fingering.
Add the right ring finger to the A fingering.
Low C
Low F
Add the right little finger: cover every hole. Even a small leak stops this lowest note speaking.
Add the right little finger: cover every hole. Even a small leak stops this lowest note speaking.
Slow, very gentle air.
Slow, very gentle air.
F arrives next lesson; listen, then copy one bar at a time, breathing as needed.
Bb arrives next lesson; listen, then copy one bar at a time, breathing as needed.
Play: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Copy two bars at a time; the low notes need gentle air.
Copy two bars at a time; the low notes need gentle air.
Berger/Israels, Public Domain Song Anthology (2020); first eight bars, CC0.
Now play these
- Lightly Row
- Keep the long notes steady.
- Mary Had a Little Lamb
- Count each phrase-ending rest.
When low C starts clearly three times and the opening song lines stay steady, continue to Lesson 5.
When low F starts clearly three times and the opening song lines stay steady, continue to Lesson 5.
Low notes refusing to speak? See troubleshooting.