UNIT 1 Lesson Book page 7

Finger Flashcards

  • Playing fingers in succession
  • Common finger patterns
  • Playing finger patterns in a steady rhythm
  • Playing finger patterns with a rounded hand shape
  • Learning Technique Secret 3

let’s get started

1

Let’s get our fingers moving. On this page there are six flashcards with short finger patterns for each hand.

2

On the closed keyboard lid, let’s play Flashcard 1 together four times without stopping! Which hand plays? Say finger numbers aloud as you tap. Here we go!

3

Now four times on Flashcard 2 . . . 3 . . . and switch to RH for Flashcard 4. Think steady, marching fingers!

4

Are your fingers tapping on their tips? Check for a round hand shape. Now I’d like you to tap while I play a jazzy duet. Say the finger numbers aloud four times with energy!

see video see duet appendix

explore & create

  • Flashcard Game 1 (Hands Ready!)
    I’ll point to any card. You play the pattern with a strong beat four times chanting the finger numbers. The fourth time through, I’ll point to a different card. You change to the new card without missing a beat!
  • Flashcard Game 2 (Hands Ready!)
    I’ll point to any card and you play it only two times. Chant the finger numbers. The second time, I’ll point to a different card. You change without missing a beat!
  • Flashcard Game 3 (Hands Ready!)
    I’ll point to any card and now you play it only one time. Watch for the next pattern!
  • Flashcard Game 4 (Hands Together)
    Now play the matching cards hands together while I play my jazzy duet.
    see video see duet appendix

technique & artistry book

  • Review:
    Technique Secret 1:
    GOOD POSTURE (p. 4)
    Exercise: Karate Pose
  • Review:
    Technique Secret 2:
    ROUNDED HAND SHAPE (p. 4)
    Exercise: Blooming Flowers

  • NEW: Technique Secret 3:
    FIRM FINGERTIPS (p. 5)
    Exercise: Making O’s

Watch my hand. Silently show the motion of Making O’s. What was I doing with each of my fingers?

Then present Firm Fingertips as Secret #3 with the Exercise called Making O’s.

For fun, look around the room and form glasses: 1-2 glasses, 1-4 glasses, etc. and name what you see. “I see a book with my 1-2 glasses. What do you see?”

pedagogy pointers

Knowing finger numbers is an important first step in getting fingers to move in succession. Fingering is often a matter of using established patterns, so it’s useful to prepare the student to think in this way. Experience these basic patterns first in the hand with tapping before needing to play them on the keyboard.

For most young students, finger independence develops only gradually because it requires a finer control of small muscles and joints.

Finger “warm-ups” get fingers ready for finger action to come.

see it in action

TEACHING VIDEO 4

We’re off to the Olympic Finger Gymnastics! And these are definitely some winning teams. The energy is high, the fingers are ready to whip through the drills, and finger numbers ring out with great enthusiasm. The strategy is to balance on the starting finger, then keep your fingers “on the mat” as each flashcard gets an athletic treatment.

Sometimes the fingers strut in succession, and sometimes they rock from side to side. Finger Flashcards can be done with or without a music accompaniment. Student excitement builds as the speed increases, and goes over the top as the hands play together. Bring out the gold medals. We’ve got Perfect Tens!

Ask Yourself

  • Can you think of other finger patterns that would make good flashcards?
  • What is the value of a piano accompaniment to finger drills like these?
Experience finger patterns through tapping before playing them on the keyboard.