Slash Chords
The F chord in example 17 is played over a C bass note as indicated by the chord symbol F/C. This is an example of a slash chord. With slash chords, the symbol before the slash mark is the name of the chord played by the right hand and the letter after the slash mark is the bass note.
Slash chords will be dealt with in more detail in later lessons. Notice that the first chord in the final bar is played staccato (short and separate) as indicated by the dot below the chord. If you are not familiar with staccato playing, see Progressive Beginner Piano.
The right hand part here is the same as the previous example, but this time the left hand plays alternating octaves on the C note. Even though the left hand is still playing constant eighth notes, this alternating octave pattern creates a different feeling from the previous example.
Here is another octave based eighth note pattern for the left hand. This time the right hand plays on beats 2 and 4 which coincide with the drummers backbeat played on the snare drum.
The Dotted Quarter Note
A dot written after a quarter note means that you hold the note for one and a half beats.
A dotted quarter note is often followed by an eighth note.
This example demonstrates the use of the dotted quarter note in the left hand part. The rhythm played by the left hand coincides with the bass drum part and once again the right hand part coincides with the backbeat on the snare drum. Listen to the recording to hear the effect this creates.
