Shoo Fly – grace notes
Found in: Arrangements & Variations, Foundation Songs
Tanya M., California
I’m in the process of learning Shoo Fly in Level 5. The teacher training video mentions grace notes when demonstrating the right hand, and suggests teaching students later, but I can’t find when/how the grace notes are introduced later. I’d love any help you could provide!
Ian M., Indiana
Grace notes are the tiny notes in the music – they’re played very quickly and don’t count against the rhythm count for the measure. So when you play Bb B, the Bb is very quick and the B really gets the full count of a quarter note.Have you listened to/watched Neil demonstrating the piece? There’s a lot you can learn there.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
Whatever is appropriate for your students. I typically add them later. Some students will figure it out on their own too.
Amber B., Michigan
The Pipes variation introduces grace notes. Usually on the spot, students are reluctant but they try at home and eventually play the grace notes. Since there are three notes, I try to add one a week. Once they get the grace notes we discuss how much they resisted in the beginning.
Stephen R., California
Once students have the core piece down, then the grace notes are the final layer. I tell students to add the grace notes (half step below) every Beat 1 in the piece. They need to really understand the rhythm diagrams to be clear on this.