Self-study piano basics course 5 - Measures and slurs -

This is a learning course for adult beginners who want to learn piano for free on their own.

In step 5, we will learn about measures and slurs.

This is a development of the "musical score" that we learned last time If you haven't read it yet, please read that first.

Let me explain in detail.

The required time is ``about 15 minutes.''

This time's theme

1. "Time signature and measures"
2. "Slurs and ties"

beat and measure

First, let's talk about "time signature and measures."

first"measure' is a group of musical scores divided at regular intervals to make it easier to understand.

Most songs have the same rhythm or accompaniment repeated over and over again. Particularly common is left-handed accompaniment. Although the pitch changes little by little, the accompaniment follows the same flow over and over again.

next"beat” determines the number of beats in each measure.

For example, the time signature determines, ``Let's make four quarter notes into one measure.'' All subsequent measures will then be created according to that. 　

*How the time signature is determined is more of a composer's problem, so I won't go into it here. When playing a piece of music, don't think about the reason behind the time signatures on the score, just play exactly as the score says.

Now let's explain the time signature in a little more depth.

How to write the time signature

The time signature is usually listed next to the clef. Most beats are represented by two numbers. As shown in the image above, there is one in the bottom half of the staff, and one in the top half.

The number at the bottom indicates how many minutes the reference note is. For example, if there is a "4" written at the bottom as shown in the diagram above, it is a quarter note.

And the number at the top shows how many of them are included. In the diagram above, it is "4", so it means "four quarter notes."

in Step 3, "Notes and Rests," one quarter note equals two eighth notes, so this can also be thought of as "eight eighth notes." The same goes for "one whole note."

In addition to "4/4", "3/4", "2/4", and "6/8" are also often used.

exceptional writing style

There are exceptional ways to write meter.

What you often see is the one with a "C" written in the middle of the staff, as shown in the image above. This has the same meaning as "4/4" when written in numbers. This is a frequently used writing style, so keep it in mind.

*There is also another way to write C with a vertical line in the center, which has the same meaning as "2/2".

slurs and ties

Both "slur" and "tie" are represented by the same symbol. It looks like parentheses ")" pointing downwards.

However, these two meanings are completely different.

Let's take a look at each.

slur

A slur is a symbol that connects notes of different pitches

Parts connected by slurs are played smoothly and without any pauses.

Therefore, you need to make the note a little longer than a normal note without a slur.

Thailand

A "tie" is a symbol that connects notes of the same pitch

For example, if two quarter notes are tied together, as shown in the image above, they will be played as half notes. The sound must not be cut off in the middle.

Why do we go out of our way to connect two quarter notes with a tie when it would have been better to write it with a half note?

The answer is bars.

The number of beats included in a measure is determined by the time signature. Therefore, if you want to extend the last note, you have to cut the note once. That's the example below.

If the 4/4 time signature is listed first like this, you must divide the novel accordingly. In these situations, when you want to extend the final A, you use a tie.

Be sure to memorize the difference between "slur" and "tie" so that you can easily distinguish between them when looking at the score.

Summary of this lesson

1. "measure"
   • ・Scores divided at regular intervals to make them easier to read
2. "beat"
   • ・Determines the number of beats in a measure
   • ・It is usually expressed as two numbers, with the reference note at the bottom and the number of that note at the top.
3. "slur"
   • ・Those that connect notes of different pitches, where the sounds are connected smoothly.
4. "Thailand"
   • - A combination of notes of the same pitch, in which notes are played continuously without cutting off.

Basic piano course

• Step 1: How to play correctly
• Step 2: Note names and keyboard positions
• Step 3: Notes and rests
• Step 4: Sheet music and clefs
• Step 5: Measures and slurs