Down Home Blues by Dennis Alexander and Martha Mier

8th Note Parallel 3rds

Intervals

A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand and move up or down in primarily 8th note rhythms.

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8th Notes

Rhythm

Notes whose lengths are equal to one-eighth the value of a whole note or half the value of a quarter note.

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Accidentals

Intervals

Sharps, flats and naturals that do not appear in a key signature.

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Blocked 7ths

Intervals

Two notes played together, usually in one hand but sometimes in both, whose distance is the interval of a 7th of any quality.

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Blocked Intervals Accompaniment

Accompaniment Patterns

An accompaniment that uses a variety of blocked intervals with a relatively equal rate of occurrence.

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Crossing Over Thumb

Hand and Finger Techniques

The physical motion of crossing fingers 2, 3, 4, or 5 over the thumb; used when playing scalar passages or outside of five finger scales.

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Extended Hand Positions

Hand and Finger Techniques

Hand positions that require stretching beyond a five finger scale; usually to play intervals that are 6ths or greater.

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Fermatas

Rhythm

Indications placed above or below notes instructing the player to hold those notes longer than their original notated length.

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G Major Five Finger Scale

Scales and Hand Positions

A simple scale that contains the first five notes of the G Major scale.

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G Minor Five Finger Scale

Scales and Hand Positions

A simple scale that contains the first five notes of the G Minor scale.

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Intermediate Single Note Accompaniment

Accompaniment Patterns

A type of accompaniment pattern where only one note is played at a time but with large intervals, many hand positions, and complex rhythms.

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Legato

Expression

A type of articulation indicating the player to play smoothly and seamlessly, with the notes slightly overlapped.

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Octave Higher or Octave Lower

Notes and Notation

Symbols that indicate playing a note or range of notes either an octave higher or lower than notated.

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Parallel 3rds

Intervals

A series of any amount or quality of blocked 3rd intervals that are played in one hand, and where both notes move up or down in parallel motion.

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Ritardando

Meter

An Italian term meaning "delaying"; an indication instructing the player to decrease speed, often gradually.

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Shifting Hand Positions

Hand and Finger Techniques

A technique that requires the player to pick up and move their hand to a new position; usually from a five finger scale to another.

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Staccato

Expression

A type of articulation indicating the player to play short and light; notes not held for their full value.

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Swing 8ths

Rhythm

A technique of playing 8th notes where the first 8th note is held longer than the second of a grouping of two; used often in jazz and blues.

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Down Home Blues

Dennis Alexander
Martha Mier

Video

Elements

8th Note Parallel 3rds

8th Notes

Accidentals

Blocked 7ths

Blocked Intervals Accompaniment

Crossing Over Thumb

Extended Hand Positions

Fermatas

G Major Five Finger Scale

G Minor Five Finger Scale

Intermediate Single Note Accompaniment

Legato

Octave Higher or Octave Lower

Parallel 3rds

Ritardando

Shifting Hand Positions

Staccato

Swing 8ths

Details