Two-Hand Coordination Exercises 1

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Instructor

Jonny May

Course Type

Course

Skill Level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

02:01:09

Getting your two hands to play different things at the same time is one of the biggest challenges for new pianists, and one of the most exciting skills to unlock. This course gives you 36 exercises designed to help your hands line up naturally, so playing with both hands starts to feel easy instead of awkward.

Every exercise uses the same simple chord pattern, which Jonny calls Pop Chord Progression #1. It’s used in hundreds of popular songs, so as you practice each rhythm, you’re also learning patterns you can use in real music. You’ll start with slow, steady rhythms in your right hand, then gradually speed things up with shorter notes and broken chords, a great pattern for playing with other musicians.

Next, you’ll explore fun rhythms in your left hand, including off-beat patterns that give music its catchy, toe-tapping feel. Then you’ll switch roles, keeping a steady beat in your left hand while your right hand plays a variety of rhythms. You’ll finish with triplets, a rhythm that groups notes in threes for a rolling, flowing sound. Sheet music is included, and when you’re ready for more, check out Part 2 here.

Course Objectives

Develop two-hand coordination through 36 progressive rhythm exercises
Practice pulse patterns in half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and broken eighth notes
Explore left-hand rhythms, including syncopation and counter-melodies
Play a variety of right-hand rhythms over a steady left-hand pulse, including triplets
Apply every rhythm to Pop Chord Progression #1, used in hundreds of popular songs

Learning Focus

Chords
Exercises
Rhythm
Technique

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

RaNae Rowles verified

Cross-body coordination exercises!

Do you remember learning to pat your head and rub your tummy? Now switch hands! The patterns are really catchy, but I am surprised how easily I lose my place and need to start over. This is a course I will be adding to my practice routine.

Laura Ottaviani verified

Fundamental and challenging

The exercises look easy at the first look, but they build on complexity of rhythm and coordination. They are a fundamental tool for beginners and intermediate players.

Cesar Ribas verified

Challenging and usefull

I learned, of course... but the most important for me was to separate rithms in my hands... Of course I have a lot of work in the future, but I startting to be confident with my capabilities in piano. Thank you very much!!!!

Kevin Muir verified

Extremely useful info

This is like a graduate level course in how to accompany pop songs. I don't know a lot about pop, but I'm guessing these numerous patterns cover just about anything and everything you could expect from a pop song. The chords won't always be identical, but if you really get these patterns down, adapting to different chords should be pretty quick work. Very useful!

Shelley Higgins verified

Hard but I learned alot

This took me a loooong time, but I now have a better sense of independence of the two hands. The written notes really helped. I returned to Jonny's playing so I could listen again and again. My ear helps me alot more than the clapping, but I understand how that could be a great help for some.

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