Compound Time and D Sharp: A Music Lesson

Introduction to Compound Time

In this section, we deal with compound time. Up till now, we've been dealing with time signatures in what we call simple time:

• 2/4
• 3/4
• 4/4

In simple time, each beat is divided into two quaver beats. Compound time, however, involves dividing each beat.

Understanding 6/8 Time Signature

The unit of pulse in 6/8 is the dotted crotchet, which is worth three quavers. While this sounds complicated, it's actually quite simple when you put it into practice.

Key Points:

• 6/8 has two big beats in the bar, each beat being a dotted crotchet.
• Comparison with 2/4:
  • 2/4: 1, 2, 1, 2, T, T, T, T, T, T
  • 6/8: Ta, T, T, T, T, T, T, T

Rather than counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, you can think of it as:

• 1 and a, 2 and a, 1 and a 2 and a.

In a fast tempo, you would play 6/8 in two. For pieces written in slower 6/8, count in six:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Practical Exercise

• Examples of both are included in this section.

Introducing D Sharp

The note D sharp is fingered the same as D:

• Thumb on the register key
• Little finger of the right hand

Important Notes:

• D sharp presses the first key you come to (not the low C key).
• D sharp and E flat sound the same, although they are written differently. These are called enharmonics, which we will discuss later in the course.

Sounding D Sharp

• D: [audio example]
• D sharp: [audio example]
• E: [audio example]

Notation

D sharp sits on the fourth line with the sharp sign.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Workout for Little Fingers in 6/8

• Set a pulse and notice the bar repeat sign (looks like a percentage symbol: two dots and a slash).
• This sign tells you to repeat the previous bar. You can have any number of these repeat signs.
• In Exercise 1, play the first bar three times, and settle on the E.

Repeat this exercise as many times as you like. Though I suggest four times, you can do it 40 times if you're feeling good!

Exercise 2: Finger Strengthening with F

• Similar to Exercise 1, but now you'll also practice F.
• Start slowly, then gradually build up speed.
• Aim for an even finger technique so all notes sound the same length.

Technique Tips

• Remember the old click stop position.
• Avoid dragging your fingers: keep a firm action to prevent sounding slurred.

E Minor Scale

Now, we come to the scale of E minor. This scale on the saxophone spans over a twelfth, going up 12 notes (not a full two octaves, but a twelfth for convenience).

Key Points about Minor Scales:

• These are harmonic forms.
• Watch for the big gap between the sixth and seventh degrees (C natural and D sharp).

Tip:

• This gap is an interval of an augmented second, so be mindful of that leap, as it may feel like breaking into an arpeggio.

Practicing the E Minor Scale

• When played in its entirety, the scale sounds quite nice.
• You can loop the second bar, which aids in developing an even technique.

The scale gives an oriental flavor, characteristic of the harmonic minor scale.

E Minor Arpeggio

• The arpeggio of E minor consists of: E, G, and B.
• Since it spans only a twelfth, repeat the top and final notes to maintain rhythm.

Slurring Techniques

• Some scales have slurs with broken lines, allowing you to play them either tongued or slurred.
• Practice both methods, as you will need to perform scales in these ways for exams.

Study in E Minor

Now, we turn to our next piece: Study in E Minor. This piece is written in a fast 6/8.

Practice Method:

1. Choose a pulse of 2 in a bar.
2. Start at a slow tempo, gradually speeding it up as you gain confidence.

The Secret of Fast Playing

• As I tell my students: the secret to fast playing lies in slow practice.
• It's much like programming a computer; building a program takes time, but once done, it operates smoothly.

Finger Technique Tips

• Concentrate on the speed of release of your fingers.
• Your fingers should move rapidly, even when playing slowly.

The fingers should move like little electromagnets, but avoid any clattering. Aim for clear, clean sounds.

Conclusion

When practiced correctly, the transition to faster playing will come naturally, and the music will resonate clearly and beautifully.