A dot on the right side of a note augments its time value by half. The half note with the dots gets the time of 3 quarter notes. Count slowly: 1,2,3,4, for every measure. Count as slowly as the pendulum of those old fashioned clocks moves.

The length of the bow is the same for the quarter notes, but the movements of the right forearm must be fast enough to be back at the frog to play the following half note.

Get accustomed to pass from one staff to the following one without stopping, always look ahead.

The dots before a double bar signify to repeat the last strain.

No.2 is the scale of C. The Germans call a scale a "tone" ladder and this explains all. It is the simplest melody.

You must give the notes from C to C degrees or numbers, think of them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th degrees.

You will observe just the distance from the third degree to the fourth degree is a half tone, the notes of E, F. C is only a half tone higher than B.

See the first illustration, third lesson.

No.3 is the scale beginning on G.

Should you play F natural the distance from the 6th to the 7th degree would be a half tone only. (The notes are E F).

The step from the 6th to the 7th must be a whole tone (as it was in the scale of C,) the F must therefore be raised a half tone. Play F#, otherwise it would not "sound" like a scale.

THe sharp is placed at the beginning and is called the signature. It is placed on the fifth line. If affects every F and tells you that the piece is written in the key of G.

Later you will learn more about this: (in the 12th lesson).

No. 4 introduces 8th notes, notes that are half as long as quarter notes.

For the Swiss Melody you must make as many counts or say as many words as 8th notes might be played in a measure; you divide a measure into 8 parts of time.

COunt: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & -- not fast -- begin on 4 with an up bow as marked and slur the two notes: (starting notes) The piece does not begin with a complete measure.

The missing part of the beginning (1 & 2 & 3 &) will be found in the last measure. Moderato means : moderately.

You must not try all the numbers of a lesson on the first day.

Do not expect to do much but rather a little and do that little well.

N. B. Always mention your instrument and name of your last lesson received.

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© 2003 R. Fingerson
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