Description
In this lesson I play and talk you through the entire melody note by note.
Notice the first eight measures repeat with a first and then slightly different second ending. So, once you learn the first eight measures, play them again and you are well on your way to know the whole piece!
The next section is the part that accompanies the lyrics, "And the rocket's red glare ..." In this section we will end on a musical comma. Essentially, this is a dramatic rest pause that is meant to be held a little longer than the actual rest beat that occurs.
How much longer? As long as the performer desires. Usually, I give it four counts; three for another measure length and one for the actual rest in the music.
After that we are on the homestretch. The next symbol to be aware of is the fermata. This symbol means to hold the note for longer than actually indicated in the score. Again, this is for dramatic purposes and can held as long as the performer desires. Again, I usually give it enough of pause to sound in time with the piece, even though it is a note held longer than written.
And that's the entire melody!
Lesson Info
