Grade One Music Lesson: The Fab Stomp

Hi, everyone! How's it going? Today, we are looking at Grade One and we've got The Fab Stomp right here in front of me. It's a really catchy song with a kind of 60s vibe.

Influences and Vibe

If you read the information sheet, you'll see mentioned bands such as:

• The Beatles
• Freddie and The Dreamers
• Dave Clark 5

These are all iconic bands from the 60s, and this piece recreates that innocent, poppy joy that was a signature of 60s rock and roll. The song definitely has that vibe!

Chord Progression

Even the chords we're using reflect this:

• D
• C
• G

This is a classic chord progression that was frequently used in the 60s and 70s.

Key Signature

Talking about the piece:

• Key: D Major
• Sharps: F sharp and C sharp

Interestingly enough, even with that key signature, we don't actually play any C sharps until the B section, where we transition into the dominant key.

Notation and Rhythms

In the first bar, you'll see all the Cs are given a natural sign to make them C natural. This creates something like this (play here).

Rhythmic Idiosyncrasies:

• There's a dotted note
• A quaver, followed by another dotted quaver

These rhythms create an interesting effect. Try to bring out the melody strongly! Imagine you're a guitarist rather than a keyboardist, as back then, they didn't have much piano in those songs.

Engaging with the Track

You are in the band right now! Your role is to play the melody and sync along with the track. So, put your headphones on, play through, and immerse yourself in the music. Even at Grade One, you're given a chance to show keen interest in the musical shape of the song.

Structure of the Piece

• A section: A repeat of the four-bar phrase.
• B section: Suddenly in the key of A Major.
  • Pay attention to the rhythms here, as they go against the beat with syncopated rhythms against the left hand.

C Section

At the C section, we shift to the dark key of B minor, moving from off-beat to straight crotchets. Be careful not to rush this; hold the long sustained chords:

• Count: 2, 3, 4

Make sure to maintain that rhythm as you transition:

• 2, 3, 4
• Crescendo at the end

Chord Voicing

This chord can be tricky:

• Use your fifth finger (pinky), fourth finger, two, and one.

For chord shapes, consider the following:

• A and G together: I would play this as described.

Notice that C naturals return after the A Major section. Pay attention, because we have a dominant seventh chord here, adding that G natural, which brings us back to the home key of D major.

Left Hand Roles

As we delve deeper into the piece, you'll notice:

• The left hand plays chords throughout, supporting the melody in the right hand with robust chords.
• These are three-voiced chords, also known as triads. Most triads are based on the root, the third, and the fifth of the chord.

Familiarization with Chords

For example, in bar one, you'll find this D major chord:

• F sharp ? thumb
• D ? second finger
• A ? little finger

This then transitions smoothly to the second chord and the G major in root position.

Full Voicing Practice

Get familiar with those shapes and try for full voicing of the chords:

• Strive for a nice ringing sound from those three notes.

Shoulder Movement

I recommend a bit of shoulder movement while playing chords to avoid stiffness and to engage with the music.

Left Hand Practice

Try practicing the left hand alone while playing along with the track. Your goal is to achieve vibrant and strong voicings:

• 1, 2, 5 for the first chord
• 1, 2, 5 then find the shape of the G major.

Conclusion

That's repeated all the way through the piece. As we move up to the B section in A major, remember to practice those triads and suspended chords.

I hope you enjoy playing this piece! Immerse yourself in the music and experience the vibe it's creating. Best of luck with your learning on this piece!

Many thanks!