Music Lesson: Grade 1 - "Rockin' Out"

Key and Time Signature

Let's have a look at your first grade piece: Rockin' Out.

• Key: C Major
  (No sharps or flats to worry about)

• Time Signature: 6/8
  (We will be counting to six in each bar)

Counting:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Remember, because there's an 8 on the bottom, an eighth note gets one count, while a quarter note receives two counts.

Rhythmic Patterns

Let's examine some of the rhythmic patterns in this piece:

• Bars: 21, 22, 25, and 26
  • Pattern: Dotted quarter note, eighth note, and quarter note.
  • In 6/8 time, it will sound like: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

There are also many places in the bass clef where you will encounter six eighth notes. Think of these as your steady beat, playing:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Playing Style

• The first four bars have legato slurs, so those notes should be played smooth and connected.
• The entire piece is marked as piano, meaning it will be a soft and gentle tune.

Practice

Let's give it a try! I'll count to six and then we'll start:

Counting in:
One, two, three, four, five, six.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
One, two, three, four, five, six.

Continue counting as follows:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Keep practicing, and remember to maintain the smoothness and softness through your performance!