Ok, I started lesson 2 (video 8). And I found it very hard to follow - even though the pattern couldn't be easier. I noticed that in the first lesson too, but then I could pinpoint why it seemed harder than the simple patterns warranted.
The reason is the notation... let me try to explain. This is how the score looks:
We are asked to tap in three ways: first time LH taps the bottom note, RH the top note. Second time this is reversed - then the LH actually needs to tap the top note, the RH the bottom note. This goes for the rests as well. Third time both hands tap together.
The first time is easy. I read the score, and my hands know exactly what to do.
But when tapping the second time, my brain freezes. Somehow I just can't wrap my head around tapping the top part with my left hand, and bottom part with the right... makes me feel like Alice who just stept through the looking glass.
Similar to this:
Unless the aim of this course is to give us brain twisters, I think it would become a million times easier if the score was presented like this:
First time:
Second time:
I agree with Animisha that it would probably also make more sense to start with both hands identical, but I am not sure what pedagogical reason there is for finishing with it so I won't actually contest that 🙂
But with this notation, I can actually concentrate on the rhythm itself, rather than having to spend much of my brain capacity doing constant mental flips 🙂
Sorry if that sounds a bit critical, I do very much enjoy these exercises but I'm finding I will have to write down the score like above to be able to follow it more easily 😃 And I'm always all for making life easier where possible!
