The Basic 3-D Form (5.1)

Practise the Basic Three-Dimensional Form starting with the following:

• With your right hand, play the C above middle C with the right hand’s thumb.
• Note the difference between playing only with fingers vs. playing with integrated, three-dimensional movement.
• Start by playing each note, one at a time, portato, in good alignment.
• Review the process introduced when studying the three-note slur on the notes C-D-E by using an 'under and out' shape, and allow your hand to fall onto your lap.
• Repeat the gesture with four notes, C-D-E-F, and continue to use 'under and out' shaping as demonstrated in the video.
• Play the five-note ascending figure (pentascale), with an 'under' shape.
• Repeat the process with your left hand, starting with the thumb on the G below middle C.
• Return to the right hand; practise the 'turnaround' by successively adding one additional note, descending, to your pentascale, that is: starting with CDEFGF, then CDEFGFE and CDEFGFED, until you end up where you began, on C, with your thumb.
• Maintain good alignment, and note that the thumb ends in the same position in the vertical plane as when you began.
• Note that when playing 'under and out' (ascending in the right hand & descending in the left hand) on white keys, you should be able to see your fingernails near the edge of the white keys, as you integrate three-dimensional movement simultaneously. Practise this carefully as demonstrated in the video.
• When playing “over and in" (descending in the right hand & ascending in the left hand), we move closer to the fallboard. Hence, fingernails are not visible in the same manner as when playing 'under and out'.
• Repeat the basic form on a pentascale, consecutively—that is, do the shape more than once. Notice that the wrist is not at its lowest position when playing the thumb, but rather when the middle fingers play.
• As usual, also isolate all practise elements with the other hand.

• When supinating (moving from the thumb toward the 5th finger) the supporting three-dimensional movement, visible at the wrist and elbow, is 'under & out'.
• When pronating (moving from the 5th finger toward the thumb) the supporting movement is 'over & in'.
• When the Basic Three-Dimensional Form is mastered in each hand it is therapeutic to play with hands together in contrary motion, so that each hand is performing the same “under and out" and “over and out" movements simultaneously.