Octaves Don’t forget about this convenient interval
With all these minor thirds and perfect fifths,
it’s easy to forget about the octave. An octave
is spread across 12 semitones and eight notes.
Whatever the root note of your two-note chord,
its octave will always have the same name: the
octave of Middle C will be another C note.
Octaves have many uses too. For example,
in the right hand you can double a melody in
octaves to give it another dimension. If you want
a delicate melody high up the keyboard but you
think it sounds too weak, add in the octave below
and hear the sound get stronger. It’s best to
keep this melody simple to start with, as moving
between the octaves is hard work.
Octaves can also be used with the left hand as
a simple accompaniment pattern. It won’t work
quite as well as a melody option, but it’s a great
way to support the tune.Thirds on both hands
Don’t be afraid to play the same interval on both
hands, although if your left hand is playing lower
down it might be best to just play single notes
F major
The tune is in F major – as you can tell by the key
signature. We’ve ended it on a straight F major
chord with all three notes representedRun down
This is similar to the run down in our right-hand-
only piece, except there’s a perfect fourth on the
first beat of both barsMinor seventh
These two minor thirds are on different staves,
but together they form Am7 – A minor seventh.
It adds a jazzy sound to the ending of our piece