Can’t get your head around playing quavers in one hand and triplets in the other? Can’t seem to co-ordinate your hands and don’t understand how the rhythm and the notes fit together? Need help? Look no further! With the assistance of a couple of ‘frogs’ – you’ll be successfully playing this polyrhythm in no time…

0:29 An example of quavers vs triplets from Debussy’s “Arabesque No.1”
1:42 Quick explanation of what a triplet is
2:26 Definition of ‘Polyrhythm’
2:50 Quavers vs triplets represented and notated ‘mathematically’
3:06 Use the phrase “Four Funny Frogs” to help the rhythmic co-ordination
3:24 How to play quavers in the right hand and triplets in the left hand
3:58 Tap out the co-ordination without having to play the notes
4:20 How to play quavers in the left hand and triplets in the right hand
4:44 Saying “Four Funny Frogs” in Debussy’s “Arabesque No.1”
5:38 How to use scales to practise quavers vs triplets
6:28 Scale example using one finger in each hand – right hand triplets and left hand quavers
6:57 Scale example using one finger in each hand – right hand quavers and left hand triplets
7:28 Scale example using the correct fingering for B Major
7:53 Concluding Summary

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Jane is a professional piano teacher providing personalised, individual tuition both in-person and online. With over 30 years of specialist knowledge, she teaches students ranging from beginners (both children and adults) through to Diploma level.

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