More elaborate Footsies

It is possible to produce more intricate footsies that are not overly difficult and very rewarding.

A. Changing levels

It is possible to change levels as we go along, and it is especially easy to do so at the repeat of a short song. This will mean changing the tempo of the feet, in this case, twice as slowly, without changing the tempo of the song.

The right spot
This change of tempo will take place at the beginning of the last note of the previous section.

Exercise
Try running through the 4 levels of Twinkle, Twinkle,
     from the smallest to the largest,
and see if you can do it without looking at the Animation.

B. Combining 2 levels

It is possible to have the feet beat 2 levels at the same time, by placing the feet farther apart, and by having each foot touch the ankle of the other foot (without striking the ground) before striking the ground.
     This would give the following sequence -
          1. the Right foot strikes the ground,
          2. the left foot Touches the right ankle,
          3. the Left foot strikes the ground, and
          4. the right foot Touches the left ankle,
                    the whole sequence indicated R-T-L-T.
               A Touch is always made with the foot which follows.
     At the larger of the 2 levels -
          step 3 is the Off-Beat and step 1 is the Beat, and
     at the smaller of the 2 levels -
          steps 2 and 4 are the Off-Beats (steps 1 and 3 being the Beats).

A 4/4 bar would be footsied R T L T, at Level -1 and Level -2.
One cell would be footsied L T / R T, at Level 0 and Level -1.
Two cells would be footsied T / L T // R, at Level +1 and Level 0.

Exercise
Now, placing this with the melody might not be that easy
     (we'll start with Twinkle, Twinkle).
          Remember that you must end on step 1 (where the right foot strikes).
It's very good practice to get the answer by yourself but the Footsie Animation
     is there to help you, placing the feet at Level 0 and Level +1.

Exercise
Now, if you want to try with Red River Valley
     you will find the Footsie Animation
     at Level -1 and Level 0 because Level 0 is so much longer and slower.

C. Adding a second level with Hand-Claps

To the Level 0 movements of the feet,
     we will add Handclaps on the Off-Beats of Level -1.

Exercise
Try this by yourself first, with Twinkle, Twinkle
     and then check with the Animation

D. Adding a third level with Hand-Claps

To the Level 0 and Level +1 movements of the feet, (see B. Twinkle, Twinkle)
     we will add Handclaps on the Off-Beats of Level -1.

Exercise
Try this by yourself first, with Twinkle, Twinkle
     and then check with the Animation

It is difficult to overestimate how beneficial all these footsies are
to a good sound development of rhythm.
Apply these four kinds of footsies (with and without hand-claps) to any melody.
You may have to clap hands twice if that particular level is ternary.

Above all, enjoy!
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