Alternating Octaves

Lesson 2/43 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Rock Keyboard Method

Alternating Octaves

Another useful technique in Rock keyboard playing is the use of alternating octaves with the left hand. Written in the next example is the E natural minor scale played in alternating octaves by the fifth and first fingers of the left hand.

Here is a keyboard part using alternating octaves. It will probably sound familiar to you.

This example shows the same part transposed to the key of A minor.

Using octaves on repeated notes is a great way to create a driving rhythm. The following 12 Bar Blues shows chords played over an alternating octave left hand part. Take it slowly at first and practice each hand separately if necessary.

Here is a final solo which makes use of the alternating octave technique. Coordinating the two hands may be difficult at first, so practice each hand separately if necessary.

Keep playing, keep practicing and have fun!

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Class Sessions

1- Basic Chords, Rhythms and Sounds 2- Alternating Octaves 3- Blues Scales in E 4- The Blues Scale 5- The Minor Pentatonic Scale 6- Minor Keys 7- Using Ties 8- How to Transpose 9- Chord Construction 10- Scale Tone Chords 11- More New Chords 12- Turnaround Progressions 13- Combining Major and Minor Chords 14- Minor Chords 15- New Chords and Keys, Transposing, Pentatonic and Blues Scale Riffs 16- Using Keyboard Voices 17- INTRODUCTION 18- The Major Chord 19- Creating a Part 20- The 12 Bar Blues 21- Chord Inversions 22- Eighth Note Rhythms 23- A Major Scale 24- The C Major Chord 25- New Chords in the Key of G 26- Slash Chords 27- Intervals 28- Riffs 29- D Minor Chord Inversions 30- C Major Chord Inversions 31- The Chromatic Scale 32- A Minor Chord Inversions 33- E Minor Chord Inversions 34- D Major Chord Inversions 35- Chord Diagrams 36- G Major Chord Inversions 37- B Diminished Chord Inversions 38- Interval Names 39- B Minor Chord Inversions 40- The G Major Chord 41- F Major Chord Inversions 42- F<span class="symbolA">#</span> Diminished Chord Inversions 43- The F Major Chord

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Alternating Octaves