A little jazzy exercise!

(This is a memory aid for my students)

In Key of “C”

“Boogie Woogie”

Start in “C” Position (right hand) using thumb on “c” and pinkie on “g”.

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie with me.

Again in “C” Position

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie with me.

Move hands so thumb is on “f” and pinkie is on “c” (in F position)

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie with me.

Move hands up one key so thumb is on “g” and pinkie is on “d” (in G position) 

Boo-gie UP DOWN, HOLD! 

Move hands back so thumb is on “f” and pinkie is on “c” (in F position)

Boo-gie UP DOWN, HOLD!

Move hand back to “C” Position

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie UP DOWN

Boo-gie with me.

(End with Bb,B,C – finger 2,1,2)

Hit thumb and pinkie on every “Boo-gie” beat (each syllable = one beat).  “Boogie with me” is 4 beats.

Use chart below for example in “C” Position.  Thumbs and pinkies start on yellow.  Always keep three white keys between your thumbs and pinkies.

Use only the middle fingers whenever you say “UP DOWN”.  Take the middle finger “UP” to the black Eb key (red on the chart below) and then slide it off to E (blue-green on the chart) on “DOWN”.  (It is not going “UP, DOWN” in the scale but the movement on the piano!)

Use a similar pattern in F position and G position.

Play with one hand at a time, then see if you can play with both hands.