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Playing with crossed hands gives you a whole set of off-the-shelf Snake Dance variations - and looks good!

First, though, we pick up the speed a little. Here are three build-up versions at a slightly smarter pace.

Snake Dance Build-up at 76bpm

The three versions are:

1. With left hand 'block' intervals (including the B flat);
2. With the left hand rocking; and
3. The 'final' syncopated left hand version.

Glance at the music for the texture, then hop aboard the 'four in'. The right had comes in on 'four'.

Hands crossed, 'loco'

When you can keep up with the video above, swap you hands round (right hand under), covering exactly the same notes ('loco' - in place).

Your left hand is where your right hand was and your right hand is where your left hand was.

Then practice playing the three build-up versions with the hands crossed. The hands play exactly the same notes as before, but in the new place.

Hands crossed, '8vb'

Next, unwind your hands and put back in the 'normal' place.

Then, leaving your left hand where it is, put your right hand under and on to the next group of D-to-A notes down.

'8vb' (ottava bassa) means 'an octave lower' - the lowest note is an octave lower than before.

Play the build-up again.

You will need to lean over or even shuffle to the left a bit to get your hands comfortably to the keys. It might be a bit of a strain at first!

Next, go on to learn some more rhythmic variations.

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