Ellen's Song
Ellen's Song is a six-measure piece for the right hand alone by O. Comeau, shared through the Mutopia Project. Octotune grades it 2 of 8: one note at a time, two flats (B flat and E flat), and quick sixteenths and eighths.
At a glance
| Composer | O. Comeau |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Starter pieces: grade 2 of 8 |
| Key | Key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭) |
| Time | 4/4 |
| Tempo | 60 quarter-note beats a minute, as the app starts it (it can go slower) |
| Length | 6 measures, about 21 seconds |
| Hands | right hand |
| Right hand | F3 to G4 |
It reaches past the staff: see ledger lines explained.
Levels in the app
| Version | Grade | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Ellen's Song | 2 of 8 | Full |
Practice notes
Ellen's Song is a short, modern piece by O. Comeau, shared freely through the Mutopia Project under a Creative Commons license. It is only six measures long, about twenty seconds, and it is for the right hand alone: one note at a time, no chords and no left hand to coordinate.
What it teaches
- Two flats. The key signature has B flat and E flat, and both are used. Every B and every E is the black key just below it. Circle them before you play.
- Below middle C. The tune dips down to the F below middle C and comes back up, so the hand moves out of one position. Read those low notes by stepping down from middle C.
- Quick notes. Most notes are sixteenths and eighths. They are short, but at Octotune's starting tempo they are not fast.
The tricky part is the mix of short and shorter notes. Tap the rhythm on your knee first, counting, then play it.
Practice plan
- Play it in Wait for me, naming each flat as you meet it.
- Then Play along at 50% with the Speed control, and raise it as the rhythm settles.
- Once it is steady, hide the falling notes and play it from the sheet alone.
Before you start: Octotune's path through Unit 10, which teaches B flat. The E flat is one step beyond it.
Questions
Is Ellen's Song easy?
Yes. It is a Starter piece, Octotune grade 2 of 8: six measures for the right hand alone. The challenges are its two flats, a few notes below middle C, and quick sixteenth notes.
Credits and license
- Music: O. Comeau
- Typeset by John Comeau for the Mutopia Project
- License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5
- Source and printable sheet music: the Mutopia Project’s page for this piece