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Beats and percussion

Three four time signature, dotted notes, ties.

There are three songs here to keep the beat with hand movements while you name the notes. The two first have got a 2/4 time signature and the third one a 3/4 time signature. Pay attention to other symbols indicating tempo, agogics and dynamics and of course, take into account minims, crotchets and quavers. You can use the score, the sound file or a video, depending on the help you need.

Exercise 1: Merrily we roll along- Great Britain

You've got a stave here to keep the beat with hand gestures while you name the notes. Then repeat it while you listen to the sound file to help you feel the key signature and you can also watch the video with the score.

keeping the beat exercise 1

Now we are going to work with the beat using this video. Try to repeat the hand percussion while you listen to the melody. Rehearse till you can do it properly.

Lorena Varela. Merrily We Roll Along Hand Percussion (CC BY-NC-SA)

Exercise 2: Zeg Moeder, Waar Is Jan?- Netherlands

gif accordionThis is a song to practise 2/4 bars. Look at the stave and say the notes aloud while you keep the beat. Again you have a sound file combining the notes a metronome beat.

keeping the beat exercise 2

Let's do the same as with the previous song. Watch the video and try to repeat the movements while keeping the beat.

Lorena Varela. Zeg Moeder, Waar ist Jan? Hand Percussion (CC BY-NC-SA)

Exercise 3: Oh, du lieber Augustin- Germany

Let's keep on working. Pay attention to notes, time signature and all the indications in the score so that you cannickelharp image keep the beat properly. Click on the image to know more about that instrument.

keeping the beat exercise 3

Practise this hand percussion till you do it properly. Don't forget to keep the beat!

Lorena Varela . Oh, Du Lieber Augustine Hand Percussion (CC BY-NC-SA)

Question 1

giff electric guitarAnd now let's see if you have paid attention. Taking into account all we have studied in this unit, say if the sentences are true or false. Discuss your answers with the rest of the group.

Question 1: A nickelharp is a percussion instrument. 

Question 2

Question 2: The three songs have got the same tempo indication.

Question 3

Question 3: In Merrily We Roll Along song there are some notes to be played staccato.

Question 4

Question 4:  This slur joins the note and the time signature.

Question 5

Question 5: The song Oh Du Lieber Augustine starts with a dotted note.

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