Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum. Though many have heard and played it, few in North America can name it.
For that reason, it’s like the dark horse of traditional rote music. (Or, should we say penguin?) After all, just like Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum, the penguin has an iconic black-white pattern. Let’s go with “it’s like the mysterious penguin” of rote music….
In the rest of the world, this music goes by many names, among them ‘Flohwalzer’ and ‘The Flea Waltz.’
In this post, we explore the third pattern of Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum, two different ways:
- With the left hand (LH) playing fourths and a chromatic line below the right hand (RH) harmonies
- With the LH playing upside-down (inverted) fourths above the RH, followed by a tune similar to the lower chromatic one, but with clever adjustments.
Third Pattern Part I Technical Read-out
Through this pattern, you’ll be able to practice:
- Cross-hand legato. The right hand slurs to the left hand in a zigzag pattern. This is as simple as walking. When you walk, there’s a smooth connection as you step foot to foot. When your hands slur right to left and key to key, there’s a smooth connection from one to the other.
Third Pattern Part II (LH Over) Technical Read-out
Through this pattern, you’ll be able to practice:
- Left over right. The left hand plays over the right hand for this extended passage.
- Cross-hand legato. The right hand slurs to the left hand.
Did you notice the Inverted keys?
Each of the main themes in Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum opens with the hands playing in their usual positions: LH low and RH high. These opening patterns have an interesting design on the piano’s keyboard. When the LH crosses over the right, these patterns are flipped (or, in music terms, inverted).
Question and answer phrases
In the third Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum pattern, the opening interval is a broken fourth descending, followed by a chromatic tune. This chromatic line rises up, creating a “question phrase,” named because our voices tend to bend upwards in tone when asking questions. This music phrase has an “up-in-the-air” and unfinished quality.
But when the LH crosses over the RH, the fourth interval is flipped, ascending, followed by an adjusted chromatic line. This time the end of the melody is changed to lean downwards, giving the quality of an “answer phrase” which sounds settled and finished.
Want to learn more?
Here are all of the posts in the Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum tutorial series.
Learning and Playing ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’
Rote Piano ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ / Shave and a Haircut [Teacher intro]
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the First Pattern 3 different ways [FREE printables]
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Second Pattern 2 different ways [FREE printables]
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Third Pattern 2 different ways [FREE printables] [Current post]
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Shave and a Haircut Ending 3 different ways [FREE printables]
Fun Intro to Keyboard Harmony
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ and the I – V7 – I chord progression [FREE printables]
I – V – I is the most common chord progression in music. This post shows how music is kept interesting with the pull between chord one (the tonic) and chord five (the dominant). Specifically, chord I and chord V7.
Unlocking creativity at the piano
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Create your own Variation [Coming soon!]
Explore being creative with music. ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ helps kids experience how easy it can be to branch out with a new variation.
As a follow-up to my series on Heart and Soul and I Love Coffee, I Love Tea, I wanted a series on this traditional rote gem, ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’.
And it’s THRILLING to play! It’s a traditional masterpiece. I hope you enjoy!
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Video of the Week
Elegy of a Lost Star (Late Elementary, Level 2) is a piece composed with loss and comfort in mind. Explores rolling eighths and dotted-quarters in 6/8 meter. The piece easy to learn and remember because of the black and white key patterns (just like Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum) and can be taught partly by rote. For example, the left hand’s descending harmonic fifths fall on white or black keys. Late Elementary, Level 2. Elegy for a Lost Star is available as a studio-licensed eSheet!
