Unit 4 — Treble G and up
The treble clef curls round G. From that landmark, A is a step up, B a skip, and treble C sits in the third space. Unit 4 teaches those three notes and the right hand's C major scale, the first time the hand leaves its position.
Songs in this unit
The treble clef curls round G. From that landmark, A is a step up, B a skip up, and treble C sits in the third space, an octave above middle C. Unit 4 teaches those three notes and the C major scale in the right hand, the first time the hand leaves its five-finger position.
- Prerequisite: Unit 3.
- New notes: A4, B4 and C5, on the treble staff.
- Landmark: treble G (and treble C joins as a landmark of its own).
The new notes
| Note | On the staff | From treble G | On the keys |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | The second space | A step up | Between the second and third of the three black keys |
| B4 | The middle line | A skip up | Just right of the three black keys |
| C5 | The third space | A fourth up; an octave above middle C | Just left of the next two black keys |
The sittings, in order
- Meet A, B and C. Read up from treble G: A a step, B a skip, C in the third space.
- Note cards. Twelve cards on the notes so far.
- Mix. Play it, find it on the staff, name it, step or skip, echo, and the first lightning round: ten cards against a gentle clock. It can always be skipped.
- Read a phrase. Positions from C and from G.
- C major scale (lesson). C D E, then the thumb passes under to F, then F G A B C.
- Use it: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. C position, with the little finger reaching from G to A and back.
- Use it: Jingle Bells (chorus). Repeated notes and a long phrase.
- Checkpoint. Cards, a short mix and a phrase.
Teaching notes
- A4 is a step above treble G, in the second space. It is the A orchestras tune to.
- B4 is a skip above treble G, on the middle line. From here up, stems usually turn down.
- C5 is treble C, in the third space: middle C's octave, and a landmark of its own for the upper half of the staff.
- The thumb under. In the scale, the right hand plays C D E with fingers 1 2 3, then the thumb tucks under to play F, and fingers 2 to 5 finish G A B C. Practise C D E F with the tuck slowly first.
- Twinkle's reach. The hand stays in C position; the little finger stretches from G up to A and comes back.
Common mistakes
- A and treble C confused. Both are spaces. Count from G: A is a step up, C a skip beyond B.
- The thumb tucking late in the scale, which pulls the wrist sideways. Start moving the thumb as 2 plays.
- Rushing the lightning round. It is optional and gentle. Accuracy first; speed follows.
Related guides
Next: Unit 5 — Two hands. Back to the whole path.