What is Blocking?
Blocking is the act of holding down notes together to learn a hand shape for scales or a phrase in a song.
Part I: Blocking a Scale
Let’s learn a C major scale using blocking. Keep all the colored notes pressed at the same time. First the blue, and then the green.
- Thumb on C (Blue Shape)
- Place your right-hand thumb (Finger 1) on C.
- Place Fingers 2 and 3 on D and E
- Play all three notes together
- Move your thumb (Finger 1) to F.
- Place Fingers 2–5 on G, A, B, and C.
- Play all five notes together.
- Now, separate the notes.
- After blocking each shape, play the notes one at a time
Part II: Now, let’s try blocking in the context of a 1 measure. What chord is this?
Fill in the blank:
The notes is the measure make a ___ chord
Part III: Now, let’s try blocking in the context of a song. First, play the individual notes in the measure together. Second, define the chord. Third, play is written.
Chord Bank. Hint: Remember, you don’t need all three notes for it to be considered the chord.
