Use iReal Pro to Circle the Keys in Fives
As a pianist, there's no way around technical exercises if you want to train fingers in the way they should go. Building patterns in the hands will build a strong player, reader and improviser. There's no better way to work around these technical challenges than by circling the circle of keys. The theory-packed ring breathes life into and logically connects to just about every aspect of music theory.
Start with Five-Finger Patterns
This post is specifically dedicated to how I boost student knowledge and playing of five-finger patterns traveling around the circle of keys. It makes sense to begin with five-finger patterns as they easily fit under the hand. From beginners to advanced, I believe it is essential for all levels of students to know these pentascales as they are the building blocks for understanding chords, scales, modes, and more. I use the phrase “five-finger pattern” because it relates to students’ five fingers faster than the term "penta scale."Also it is SO similar to another term I use a great deal—pentatonic—and I don’t want students to get confused.
Circle of Keys Drills (1) copy
Find a Groove with iReal Pro
As players work to build a steady pulse, it seems fitting to establish that habit from the beginning with any drill or exercise, not just repertoire. Bradley Sowash introduced me to this idea and how to create backing tracks for exercises and tunes using the app called iReal Pro.
In the video below, you'll see Ella playing her five-finger patterns around the circle keeping time with theiReal Pro backing track playing a particular pattern. FYI: My iPad is hooked to the Clavinova with an RCA cable to amplify the iPad speakers.
All my students memorize the rhythm and melody of the pattern singing this phrase:
Mommy made me eat my M&Ms. Yum, yum!
No, I didn't make it up. A long time ago, I played that pattern and a student declared: "hey, we sing that melody in choir for warm-ups!" and sang along as I played. The lyrics have stuck with me and my students ever since. When students learn about minor, I encourage them to think of something they don't like to eat for the lyrics. For example:
Mommy made me eat my broccoli. Yuck, yuck!
This doesn't always work because MANY students like broccoli--good for them! If this is the case, be ready to brainstorm new menu items. Here are a few that work: vitamins, scrambled eggs, mac and cheese, and brussel sprouts.
iReal Pro chart
Build Technique
As students work their way around the circle, this is a great time to check hand position and build technical skills on each pattern by playing:
both hands piano or forte
both hands staccato or legato
both hands crescendo followed by diminuendo
one hand staccato and the other legato
one hand piano and the other forte
with straight 8th notes
with swinging 8th notes (watch Sara Campbell's student swing along with this exercise here.)
Be Creative
Traveling around the circles in fives can be used in a private lesson or in a group setting. Make sure to repurpose the drill with some improvisation!
Decide Now Wheel
Suggestion #1
Ask students to form a line at the piano. Or, you and your student could do this activity at a private lesson.
Student or teacher improvises a question phrase within the first measure of the C five-finger pattern ending on anything but C.
Student must improvise an answer phrase in the C five-finger pattern ending back on C, the home tone.
Both improvisers only have one measure—four beats—to complete this task and then must move to the next five-finger pattern in the circle and repeat the improv on the next five-finger pattern.
Tip: You may need to slow the tempo down on the iReal Pro chart.
Suggestion #2
Ask students to improvise within the two bars of a five-finger pattern.
If ideas are needed to spur improvisation, spin for a rhythm using a cuisine name on a Decide Now wheel.
Tip: Follow this link to get 50 more ways to use Decide Now that keeps lessons fresh with a slice of randomness.
MusiClock App
Suggestion #3
Ask students to spin the Decide Now wheel to determine a five-finger pattern.
Ask students to jam within that pattern playing along with the app MusiClock—another favorite app that provides upbeat and trendy backing tracks for major, minor, blues, bebop and pentatonic scales. Even though the students are only playing the first five notes of the major scale, it's good for them to see the entire scale and what is to come in the near future!
