Lesson Seven, Page Four

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On Top of Old Smokey

There are several new things to watch out for in this song:

1. New notes. In measure #3 of the treble staff (right hand) you will see a note with a little blue mark on it's stem...that is high C. It will be the 8th note to the right of middle C, counting middle C. If you are unsure, click here to view a diagram.

2. In measure #3 of the bass staff (left hand) you will see an F chord...measure #4 shows an F chord broken down into single notes. The note marked with a little blue mark on it's stem, is an A, which is the note that you play with your thumb when you play an F chord. If you have forgotten how to play an F chord, click here to view a diagram.

3. In measures 4 and 5 you will see what is called a TIE. It is a curved line that connects one note to another note. A tie extends the value (number of beats) of a note...Play the note in measure 4, but DO NOT play the note that it is TIED to in measure 5. As you can see, I crossed out the note that you DO NOT play. The note that is crossed out is a half note, which you know receives 2 beats. Add these to 2 beats to the note you played in measure 4, which is a dotted half note (3 beats). The original note that you played should have been held for a total of 5 beats. Now look at measure 7. The note in measure 7 is tied through measures 8 and 9....it will be held for a total of how many beats? E-mail me your answer. Be sure to keep playing the left hand as you count out your beats!

4. At the very end of the song, you will see a thick double barline with 4 dots. This is called a repeat sign (it is shown in green) and it tells you to repeat the song.

5. At the very beginning of the song, you will see the words "pick up note". If you notice, the first measure only has one beat in it, it's called a pick up note. Don't worry about why it's there, just play it.

The only things that will affect your playing would be the new notes and the tie. Be extremely careful with the fingering in the 2nd and 3rd measures, your fingers will be doing a little stretching...the correct fingering is marked for you.

Before practicing this song, click here to practice broken chords - (single note style)

Listen to right hand

Listen to left hand

Listen to hands together

Support Songs:
Chiapanecas - The Mexican Hat Dance
Carnival of Venice