Welcome to Lesson 29!
Today we turn back to p.69-70, to play Molly Malone (also known as Cockles and Mussels). We initially skipped it because it has some tricky rhythms, and I wanted you to advance a bit further before taking them on! Mid-February is a great time to start practicing Irish songs for St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) so let’s dig in!
[NOTE: If you are just joining us for the first time, you can find my previous Sixty and Me Free Piano Lessons on my Author page. You can join our lessons any time and move at your own pace!]
In Lesson 16 I introduced you to dotted notes, and we started playing Dotted Quarter Notes, which are held for a beat and a half (counting “1 & 2,” “2 & 3,” or “3 & 4” in 4/4 time.) In Trumpet Tune, Largo and Sonata (p.54-58) we played Dotted Quarter Notes followed by Eighth Notes. In Molly Malone we are playing that rhythm again, plus we are playing Eighth Notes followed by Dotted Quarter Notes!
Instead of a long-short feel, these rhythms are short-long. To help you learn the difference between these two rhythm patterns, I am playing and singing the lyrics in my demonstration video below. Often the brain grasps rhythms better when we put words to the notes, so sing along with me!
Here’s a closeup of me playing Molly Malone. Once you know the notes and rhythms, try playing the right-hand melody along with me!
Now would also be a great time to review a couple other Irish songs, The Irish Washerwoman and The Three Sailor Boys (p.24) which I demonstrated in Lesson 5. Next lesson we’ll have more Irish fun with The Moreen on p.78, a beautiful Irish ballad. Have a great couple of weeks, and I will see you in Lesson 30!
What are your favorite Irish songs? I love playing and singing The Wild Rover and Si Bheag Si Mohr, a beautiful piece by the 18th Century harpist Tulough O’Carolyn. Do you go to an Irish pub for St. Paddy’s Day? Do you make corned beef and cabbage? Irish Soda Bread? Irish Stew? Or do you prefer to avoid the holiday all together? I love that Irish music is so melodic and fun to play. And Corned Beef and Cabbage is one of my favorite dishes!
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