2-Mallet Keyboard Exercise: Interval Focus in Triplets

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This exercise is great for practicing short and wide interval leaps.  It is comprised of three parts:

  • Measures 1-24: The triplet pattern starts on a B-flat (check the key signature!), descends a half step, returns to B-flat, descends two half steps, returns to B-flat, descends three half steps, etc.  I would recommend starting this section on the right hand.

  • Measures 25-48:  This section follows the same pattern as the previous section, except the intervals move ascending instead of descending.  I would recommend starting this section on the left hand.

  • Measures 49-74: Finally, this section also starts on a B-flat, but the intervals both ascend and descend at the same time, ultimately spanning two octaves.  I would recommend starting this section on the right hand.

Due to the wide interval, the final two measures are the most difficult to play quickly.  I recommend seeing how fast you can play these two measures first.  That is your tempo for the entire exercise.  While this exercise is good practice for various intervals, another challenge is to maintain a steady tempo.  Most people will want to start too quickly and be unable to maintain that tempo throughout the entire exercise. Don’t let that be you!