Shave and a Haircut is one of the best-known rhythmic and music samples in the western world.
It’s a popular way to knock on a door. It’s a rhythm so familiar that if you knocked the first part, most people would be able to answer it with the remaining ‘knock-knock’.
‘Shave and a Haircut’ has also become a cheerful way to finish a piece of music with its humorous little kick.
As a quick recap, this is a blog series on the following piece, ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’. Take a listen! You’ll hear ‘Shave and a Haircut’ at the end!
The piece above is called ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’. We’re breaking it down and introducing one pattern per blog post. Each post comes with a couple tutorial videos and a free printable of the music!
This instalment of the series teaches the finishing pattern, ‘Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits!’
In this post, we explore this ending four different ways:
- Playing with repeated eighths on the second beat.
- Playing the eighth notes with a lowered sixth, which is a white key in this key signature (technically an E-double-flat, but to keep it simple, just think of it as the white D key).
- Playing with triplet eighths on the second beat.
- Playing any of the above variations with LH octaves.
Shave and a Haircut Ending A
Shave and a Haircut Ending B
Shave and a Haircut Ending C
Shave and a Haircut Ending – Add octaves
Shave and a Haircut: You’ve probably heard…
Because of the popularity of the Faber piano method, some teachers know ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ by the title Shave and a Haircut, which is printed in the Faber 2B Lesson Book.
Long story short, the Fabers transposed ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ into the key of C, added a phrase similar to ‘I Love Coffee, I Love Tea’ and then finished with ‘Shave and a Haircut’. Here it is:
The Faber title actually comes from the ending they’ve added, an ending which has been added to many different recordings and pieces of music from 1899 to the present day.
Shave and a Haircut: Some fun history
We’re musicians, so rather than read it, let’s hear the history of the Shave and a Haircut rhythm and tune!
Note: I recommend that parents preview this video prior to showing it to their children.
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]
Rote Piano ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the First Pattern 3 different ways [FREE printables]
Rote Piano ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Second Pattern 2 different ways [FREE printables]
Rote Piano ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Third Pattern 2 different ways [FREE printables]
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Shave and a Haircut Ending 3 different ways [FREE printables] [Current post]
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’.
‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’ is THRILLING to play! It’s a traditional masterpiece. I hope you and your students enjoy!
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I appreciate shares, comments and likes. Happy teaching! ❤
Video of the Week
Sneaky Skeleton Pranks was created to have memorable black-white key patterns that are easy to teach and learn, just like ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’. Are you in for a spooky prank? Here’s a game-like rote and note piece that explores black and white key patterns, cross hand slurs and staccato, simple pedalling and hand-over-hand playing. Late Elementary, Level 2. Want this piece? Check out the Sneaky Skeleton Pranks eSheet in my shop!
