How to Play Simultaneous Melodies on a Piano

Being able to play two or more melodies simultaneously on the piano is an important skill necessary to tackling the instrument's advanced music. Classical and jazz music all make use of simultaneous melodies, also known as counterpoint.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metronome

1. Play the first melody with your right hand. Focus on maintaining the melody's rhythm and playing it in time.

2. Run through the second melody with your left hand. Again, pay attention to the rhythmic accuracy of your playing, as this determines how well the two melodies will fit together.

3. Combine the two melodies. Start them at the same time and play them slowly at first. If it helps, set a metronome at either half or two-thirds the piece's actual tempo and carefully plod through the counterpoint.

4. Speed the piece up as you become more comfortable with its rhythm and the coordinated finger movements. Using a metronome is the best way to control your tempo and keep you rhythmically on track.

5. Repeat the piece until you can play it perfectly without stopping and without the help of a metronome.

Tips & Warnings

• It's natural to mess up as you learn to play the melodies simultaneously. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it. Just relax and start over.
• Break the piece up into smaller chunks and practice each separately before putting them together. This especially helps you learn tough sections with syncopated rhythms.