3. The Basics of the Piano Keyboard

Loudlands Music. “Piano Keyboard Layout.” Loudlands Music, https://www.loudlandsmusic.com/blog/piano-keyboard-layout. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Learning the piano can be both exciting and rewarding. This guide is designed to help beginners familiarize themselves with the piano keyboard, understand its layout, and get started with playing simple tunes. Let’s get started!

3.1 Recognizing the Piano Keyboard

The Layout: White and Black Keys

  • White Keys represent the natural notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).
  • Black Keys represent sharps (#) and flats (b) of the notes, arranged in groups of twos and threes.

Groups of Keys:

  • Locate the repeating pattern of 2 black keys followed by 3 black keys.
  • The white key to the left of each group of 2 black keys is a C note.

3.2 Finding the Middle C

Middle C: The starting point for most beginners.

  • Find the middle of the keyboard.
  • Look for the white key just to the left of the group of 2 black keys near the center.

Take a quick keyboard quiz!

Drag the names to their notes on the keyboard

3.3 Hand Position and Posture

Correct body and hand positions provide access to more keys.

  • Sit comfortably at the piano with your elbows slightly above the keys.
  • Right Hand: Start with your thumb (1) on Middle C.
  • Left Hand: Start with your pinky (5) on the C below Middle C.

3.4 Playing Simple Tunes

Now it is time to play with some simple tunes.

  • Start with easy songs like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star“. Use the keys around Middle C:
  • Do not forget the sheet music!

3.5 Practice Makes Perfect

  • Spend a few minutes each day finding notes and playing simple patterns.
  • Gradually increase your familiarity with the keyboard layout.
  • Try to play songs with more complicated songs.

3.6 Our London Bridge Tutorial

Tuturial of Mary Had A Little Lamb: Correct hand position and rhythm.

3.7 To do

Try learning to play Mary had a Little Lamb using the same strategies we used in the video! Try playing one line at a time, one hand at a time to start.

“Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Wikimedia Commons, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Mary_Had_a_Little_Lamb.jpeg. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

3.8 More to Explore

Free Online Piano Apps: Practice finding notes and playing simple songs.

YouTube Tutorials: Search for beginner lessons, and watch how others play.

Mangoldproject provides clear and step-by-step instructions about how to play piano as a beginner. He also teaches basic music knowledge such as differences between majors and chords.

REFERENCE

Hello Simply. “Quickly Learn Piano Notes and Chords.” Hello Simply, 2022, https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/piano-beginner/quickly-learn-piano-notes-and-chords/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Simplifying Theory. “How to Play the Keyboard – Piano Lesson for Beginners.” Simplifying Theory, n.d., https://www.simplifyingtheory.com/how-to-play-the-keyboard-piano-lesson-for-beginners/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

User69462922. “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Musescore, 22 Oct. 2023, musescore.com/user/69462922/scores/13362724. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.