Piano Hand Independence and Interval Theory: One Modern Pop Drill

This modern pop piano drill uses four right-hand notes from Bb major (G, A, Bb, F) over left-hand notes a diatonic third below, then builds hand independence with rhythmic ratios such as 1:4, 4:1, 1:3, 3:1, 2:4 and 4:2 before stacking fifths and thirds into seventh chords.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 32 min

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This lesson by Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music combines hand coordination, scale knowledge, interval theory, timing and transposition in one exercise. It has the modern pop sound of bands like Coldplay or The Chainsmokers. It suits beginners who know a few scales and anyone who wants practice that sounds like real music.

Essential theory: Bb major, thirds and fifths

The drill is in Bb major, which has two flats, Bb and Eb: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb. Write the scale in a neat circle, or as a worm shape that matches the black and white keys you see on the piano.

Diatonic thirds

A diatonic third comes from the scale itself. From any note, skip one note and take the next. The thirds in Bb major are:

• Bb to D, C to Eb, D to F, Eb to G
• F to A, G to Bb, A to C

Diatonic fifths

Count five notes up the scale circle. Bb to F, C to G, D to A, Eb to Bb, F to C and G to D are all perfect fifths. The exception is A to Eb. There is no E natural in Bb major, so this fifth is a diminished fifth, also called a tritone. Practise saying and playing the fifths going up and coming down.

The four-note exercise

The right hand plays two bars:

1. Bar 1: G, A, Bb, then a higher F
2. Bar 2: G, A, Bb, then a higher D

For the left hand, ask which note has each right-hand note as its third. Then play that note in the bass:

• G over Eb, A over F, Bb over G, F over D
• Bar 2 is the same, except the higher D sits over Bb

Fingering: in the right hand, try index, middle and ring fingers, then your thumb for the higher note. Start the left hand with your ring finger on Eb. To reach the Bb, slide your thumb across and move your hand slightly inwards without bending it too much. You can also play both hands in octaves with thumb and pinky, which removes the fingering problems. The pattern sounds good in any register.

Hand ratios for independence

A hand ratio compares the left hand with the right hand. Count them away from the piano first: tap the left hand on your chest and the right hand on your leg.

• 1:4: the left hand plays once while the right hand plays four notes. Keep the left-hand key held down rather than relying on the sustain pedal.
• 4:1: the left hand plays four notes against one in the right.
• 1:3 and 3:1: a waltz feel in three. Both hands land together on beat one.
• 2:4 and 4:2: minims against crotchets. These are slightly trickier and need practice.

Focus on control and sound more than perfect fingering.

Stacking fifths and thirds

Next, add a fifth above each left-hand note: Eb–Bb, F–C, G–D, D–A, and Bb–F for the last chord. Then stack fifths in the right hand too: G–D, A–Eb (remember the tritone), Bb–F, F–C, and D–A at the end.

Together, the two fifths form proper seventh chords: Ebmaj7, F7, Gm7, Dm7, and finally Bbmaj7 at the end of bar 2.

Play these as whole notes first. Then try them with the ratios, play them together, or cascade the notes from left to right. For a simpler modern pop sound, play thirds in the right hand over the left-hand fifths. For example, G–Bb over Eb–Bb.

Transposing to other scales

Write the Bb major scale, number it 1 to 7, then write the new scale underneath. The right-hand notes are degrees 6, 7, 1 and a higher 5, then 6, 7, 1 and a higher 3. In G major this gives:

• Bar 1: E over C, F# over D, G over E, D over B
• Bar 2: the same, ending with B over G

Everything else, including the ratios and stacking, works the same way in the new key.

Three-note clusters for improvising

Finally, give each right-hand note a set of three scale notes starting from it:

• G A Bb
• A Bb C
• Bb C D
• F G A
• D Eb F

Keep the left hand playing its fifths. Then make up your own melodies using only those three notes. The left hand must stay steady while the right hand improvises.

Questions about this lesson

How do I find a third in any major scale?

Start on a note, skip the next scale note and take the one after it. In Bb major, Bb's third is D and C's third is Eb. Drawing the scale in a circle makes this easier.

Why is A to Eb not a perfect fifth in Bb major?

Bb major has Eb, not E, so the fifth above A is Eb. That makes it a diminished fifth, also called a tritone.

What does a 1:4 hand ratio mean on piano?

The left hand plays one note while the right hand plays four, starting together. Hold the left-hand note down for the whole duration instead of relying on the sustain pedal.

How do I transpose this drill to another key?

Write Bb major with the numbers 1 to 7 underneath, then write the new scale below and map each degree. In G major the right hand becomes E, F#, G, D, and the left hand becomes C, D, E, B.

Practise it

• Two NotesA guided field guide to intervals: consonance, inversions, scales, modes and the Circle of Fifths.
• SpanAn interval practice studio with separate Ear, Eyes, Hands and Voice drills.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

Related lessons

• Beginner Piano Exercises That Actually Sound NiceThree musical beginner piano exercises from Jason Zac: repeat E G# A B over changing left-hand bass notes, improvise grooves on the E minor pentatonic over a steady pulse, and pair each note of the Ab major scale with the diatonic third below it in the left hand.
• One Piano Exercise for Scales, Intervals and Chords (E Minor, Both Hands)This combo exercise trains the E natural minor scale with both hands at once: the right hand plays every diatonic interval from seconds to octaves while the left hand supports with roots, octaves, thirds, fifths, triads or seventh chords.
• How to Creatively Practise Thirds Over Piano ScalesTo practise thirds over a piano scale, write the scale in a circle, pair each note with the scale note two steps above it (E with G#, F# with A, and so on in E major), then play those pairs up, down, or in mixed directions to build both technique and melody.
• How to Transpose to Any Key, Scale, Mode and Chord Progression on PianoTo transpose a melody on piano, first choose its tonic and scale, write each note as a scale-degree number (or swara), then rebuild those numbers in a new key, a new scale, a new mode or over a new chord, singing it before you play it.