Basics of learning to play the piano
Sound names:
Each key on the keyboard (or any other keyboard instrument) corresponds to one of the letters: C, D, E, F, G, A,
B. You can best understand this by looking at the picture below.
Some of the white keys have shorter black keys in between.
• The black key to the right of the C key is the C# key.
• The black key to the right of the D key is the D# key.
• There is no black key to the right of the E key.
• The black key to the right of the F key is the F# key.
• The black key to the right of the G key is the G# key.
• The black key to the right of the A key is the A# key.
• There is no black key to the right of the B key.
Description of the entire keyboard:
The above pattern (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) is repeated several times on your instrument’s keyboard. So that the
letters do not get confused, we add numbers to them depending on their position on the keyboard.
• In the very centre of the keyboard, the letters have no numbers added.
• They are numbered 2 to the right of the keyboard, and 3 further to the right.
• They are numbered -2 to the left of the keyboard, and -3 further to the left.
As in the drawing:
Learning to play in three steps
STEP 1 – Practice the key names and play with your right hand.
If you are just starting to learn to play the piano, a good way to remember all the names of the keys (C, D, E, F,
G, A, B) is to only learn to play with your right hand.
Just ignore the left hand notes (the ones in the squares) and play only with your right hand. Thanks to this,
you will practice the names of the keys well and get used to the keyboard.
You will switch to the two-handed game once you have mastered the names of all the keys.
Always listen to the recordings before learning to play!
STEP 2 – Combine right and left hand play.
You already know keys names and can play with your right hand? Add your left hand.
Now if you see a square with a letter in the middle above the note for your right hand – press this key with
your left hand.
Continue the game with your right hand and keep the key pressed with your left hand until you come across
the next square with the letter in the middle.
Note,
some songs may not sound right when playing the left hand with just one key. You will be able to play
them when you go to step 3.
STEP 3 – A two-handed game with chords.
Two-handed play is no longer a problem for you?
Instead of playing only single notes with your left hand, play whole chords
(3 keys at the same time).
If, for example, you see the letter “C” in a square, then instead of playing only the C note with your left hand,
play the entire C chord.
You will find a list of all the chords and keys you need to press to play them in the attached
chord table (page 13 of our books).
It is best to practice all the chords in the song first before playing it.