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### Lesson Two: Intervals

By choosing some interval other than the octave, you can create an easy harmony line.

First, choose an interval. You can use mostly thirds or mostly sixths for most tunes. Mostly sixths is a bit more "separated," so we'll use that for the example, again demonstrating with "Simple Gifts." Click for a MIDI file or sheet music (GIF).

Establish the interval relationship between your hands. A sixth interval means your right hand is across and down one course from your left. In other words, when your left hand is on G, your right hand is on B. You may want to run this interval up and down the bridges like you did with octaves in the previous lesson.

For thirds, put one hand two courses below the other -- i.e. when one hand is on G, the lower hand will be on E.

Now try playing the tune with your left hand playing melody on the left side of the treble bridge, and your right playing sixths on the right side. You may have to slow it down at first.

For thirds, both hands will be on the same side of the bridge.

You'll likely notice that some of those right-hand notes don't sound as good as others. In such cases, try a fifth interval instead -- your right hand will be straight across from the left, i.e. right on C when your left is on G. It's a little trickier to play this way, because the relationship between your hands will change.

For thirds, when a third interval doesn't sound so good, try a fourth -- three courses below, or when one hand is on G, the lower hand will be on D.

Challenge: When you play in intervals, both hands are moving in the same direction. You might try playing a tune with two diverging voices -- a melody and harmony, for example. If you have a hymnal, you could try playing the soprano and alto lines together. I play some classical pieces this way, too, like this bourree from Handel's Water Music.

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