Alma Mater Blues Rhythm
Found in: Blues, Curriculum, Foundation Songs
Neil Moore
(Over time, different teachers have faced situations in which a student finds it challenging to process the Alma Mater Blues rhythm. Here are Neil’s thoughts on how to handle such situations, video posted September 28, 2022. Below his video tip are two representative posts/questions within roughly the year prior to his video. See also other Simpedia posts on Alma Mater Blues.)
Jeanine Z, Maryland
One of my students (in level 2) is having a hard time with the timing in Alma Mater Blues (the 1, 2, & 3, 4 part). He keeps rushing the left hand and plays it with the right hand instead of keeping the LH at a steady beat. I’ve tried getting him to play the rhythm on his lap, and even on a drum. He is very successful playing it that way, but when he brings his hands back to the piano, he reverts back to the old way.. I’ve told him to control the events and keep it slow, but he is still struggling with this timing. Any other suggestions on what else I can do?
(Original discussion started September 22, 2021)
Leroy L., Malaysia
Hello everyone, I need advice here.
Two of my adult students are currently learning Alma Mater Blues from FL1 and they are really struggling to get the ‘swing’ feel. Their coordination of both hands are good but they play the RH notes too ‘straight’. They can’t really seem to translate the ‘Here’s Humpty Dumpty’ rhythm into their playing. I have tried explaining their playing in drawing, they understood it but can’t seem to play it.
What else can I do? TIA
(Original discussion started August 26, 2022)
