Author: Jessica Montgomery
Grade 2 Learning Topics
Scales
In grade 2, all scales apart from arpeggios are played at 66bpm, arpeggios are played at 63bpm. Major, minor and arpeggios are played with both hands together, pentatonic scales are right hand only, and blues scales are hands separately. Chord voicings must be played from memory.
Harmonic minor:
There are different types of minor scales. In grade 2, students can choose to play the natural minor (as seen previously) or the harmonic minor. Harmonic minor scales are the same as a natural minor but with a raised 7th note. The raised 7thapplies in all octaves and on both ascending and descending parts. It is strongly advised to play the natural minor scale as this is easier for students to learn.
Please refer to this video for the scales required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fw5SiBWZdg
Time Signatures
In grade 2, we encounter some more advanced time signatures.A lower number of “2” tells us to count in minims or half notes.
2/2 means count two minims (half notes) per bar. Sometimes music in 2/2 is written with an old-fashioned time signature which we call “cut common time”. It is a C with a vertical line through it.
2/2 means count two minims (half notes) per bar. Sometimes music 3/2 means count three minims (half notes) per bar.
4/2 means count four minims (half notes) per bar.
A lower number of “8” tells us to count in quavers or quarter notes. 6/8 means count 6 quavers (quarter notes) in groups of 3 per bar.
Ledger Lines
When the notes get too high or low for the stave, we use ledger lines. Find the notes by using the alphabet on each alternating line and space.
Exercise: Name the notes on the ledger lines in bass and treble clef
Triplets
A “triplet” is a group of three notes played in the time of two. An easy way to count them is to say “bum-ble-bee” or “1-tri-plet, 2 tri-plet” for every beat.
The triplet lasts for the same amount of time as double the value of the individual note (eg, quaver (eighth note) triplets last as long as 1 crotchet (quarter note).
Refer to this video for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsLod8U2vLc
Repeats
Repeats can now have alternate endings. When a repeat calls for a different ending, numbered brackets above the bars indicate which to play the first time (1.), which to play the second time (2.), and so on if necessary. These are called “first-time bars” and “second-time bars”, or “first and second endings”.
Degrees Of The Scale
Here’s a scale of C major ascending, with all the degrees of the scale added:
Notice that both Cs are called the “1st degree” even though the last one is higher than the first. It doesn’t matter which register (high or low) the notes are in – the name is the same.
It’s important to remember that we work out the degrees of the scale from the ascending (upwards) scale only. If we write out the descending scale, we will need to reverse the order of the numbers
This also applies to chords as well as individual notes.
Symbols
Pause (or “fermata”). Hold on to the note for some time longer
Sustain Peddle (Right)
The sustain pedal is the most used pedal. It makes the notes “sustain” (or keep ringing) after you release the keys. This allows you to connect one note or chord to the next, without breaking the sound.
In acoustic pianos, the sustain pedal controls the dampers: felt pads that rest against the piano’s strings. This is why it’s also called the “damper” pedal. When you press down the sustain pedal, it lifts all the dampers off the strings- allowing the strings to resonate for longer.
The command “una corda” means use the “soft” pedal on the left hand side.
