Piano Lessons and Your Instrument.doc

Piano Lessons and Your Instrument

Whether you have a full size piano or a electronic keyboard, or even an organ, these lessons will teach you how to play your keyboard instrument.

The study of "piano" includes learning the names of the keys, where to place your hands, how to manipulate your fingers, how to play with both hands and of course, how to read music!

What kind of keyboard instrument are you using for these lessons?

If you are using an electric keyboard, how many keys (including the black ones) does it have? I recommend a keyboard instrument with at least 61 keys on it.)

For simplicity, I will now start to refer to "your keyboard instrument" as "your piano."

White Keys, Black Keys...Where do I begin?

Just looking at your piano can be overwhelming! You wonder, "How am I ever going to learn all these notes?"...Well, you have come to the right place..I am going to teach you how to "shrink" your piano and become familiar with all the keys during this first lesson. "Piano shrinking" is not a big secret, but it's overlooked quite often.

You can print the test version of Lesson 1 if you find it inconvenient to juggle between reading the computer screen and playing your piano.

Groups of Two Black Keys
 

Look at your piano and find the black keys that are grouped in two. There will be groups of two and groups of three. Find each group of two, and play them. Use the hand that is closest to the group that you find. For example, when you find the groups of two that are easy to reach with your left hand, then play them with your left hand. When you find the groups of two that are easy to reach with your right hand, then play them with your right hand. Use any fingers you are comfortable with.

If you are using a full size piano, you will have found 7 groups of 2 black keys. If you are using a 61 key keyboard, you will have found 5 groups of 2 black keys. You might have a keyboard that only has 4 or 6 groups of two black keys...just keep following directions and don't worry about what size keyboard you are working with.

Groups of Three Black Keys
 

If you understood the last page about the groups of 2 black keys, then this page will be easy! This time look at your piano and find and play all the groups of three black keys....

Middle C
 

Now that you are comfortable with finding the groups of two black keys and the groups of three black keys, it's time to talk about the white keys.

As you look at the piano on this page, you will notice that there is a letter "C" on the white key that is found on the left side of each group of two black keys.

Now look at your piano and find and play all the C's. After you have done that, find the C that is closest to the EXACT middle of your piano and that one is called MIDDLE C.

Continue to practice finding all the C's on your piano and finding Middle C until it is very easy for you.

Piano Sections

Here you will see that I colored all the white keys in different colored sections. Look closely, can you figure out how I divided the piano into sections?

Each section starts with a C and includes the next 6 white keys, making 7 keys in a section.

Notice that each section of 7 keys includes a group of 2 black keys and a group of 3 black keys.

The piano is made up of the same 7 keys, over and over and over again.

Now look at your piano and instead of feeling like there are A LOT of keys, look at it in sections, kind of like a puzzle. An easy way to see the piano in sections is to look at the groups of 2 black keys. Each group of two black keys starts with a C and represents a "7 key" section of the piano.
 

Let's Play!
 

Are you ready to start having some fun? Let's play the piano!

First we are going to give each of your fingers a number....Your thumb is number 1, your next finger is number 2, then next is number 3, then number 4 and finally your little finger is number 5.

Place your RIGHT hand thumb on MIDDLE C.

Then place each of your fingers, one at a time, on the next 4 white keys. If you did it right, your thumb (remember to use your right hand only) will be on MIDDLE C and each one of your other 4 fingers will be resting on one key each. You should be covering 5 keys in a row with 5 fingers.

The next page will show you if you did it right.....

Middle C Position

Did you do it right? Look at the piano on this page and see if you have your fingers resting on the correct keys. If your fingers are in the correct position, congratulations!

The position you are in is called Middle C position.

Now, one at a time, play each key once. Do not move your hand and do not move your fingers. You should play Middle C with your thumb,

then the next key with your #2 finger,

then the next key with #3 finger,

the next key with #4 finger,

then the last key with #5 finger.

If you did it right, with the correct fingers, then go ahead and play it over and over and over again. (Only use your right hand!) Get really comfortable with it. Play it fast, play it slow, play it backwards, and play it out of order. ALWAYS play each key with the finger that is assigned to it! .

Practice Suggestion:

With your right hand in Middle C position, play the following patterns..

Play C (thumb) when you see the letter C, play key 2 with #2 finger when you see the number 2...etc...

C 2 3 4 5 5 5 5
5 4 3 2 C C C C

C 2 3 2 5 3 2 C
5 4 2 3 C C C C

You can write your own patterns and play them. When you are really comfortable with playing patterns smoothly with your right hand and you are always using the correct fingers, then you may go on to the next page.

Which hand do I use and when?

Notice on the piano above that there is a green dot and then there are arrows pointing in opposite directions. This is showing you that whenever you play keys that are below Middle C, you will play with your left hand and whenever you play keys that are above Middle C, you will play with your right hand. (You were playing above Middle C on the previous page, that is why you were instructed to use your right hand.)

This is a general rule with exceptions. There are times when the right hand will play below Middle C and times when the left hand will play above Middle C. However, for now, we are going to follow the general rule until later.

Left Hand C Position

Time to use your left hand!

On the piano above, you will see that I colored 2 C position sections below Middle C. Look closely at the numbers.....C...4..3..2..1..is written on the keys instead of C...2...3...4...5...

Place your LEFT hand on one of the C positions that are colored, do it on your piano. Notice that when you use your left hand, your thumb is not the finger that you would use on the C. You have to use your little #5 finger. So, when you play the C position pattern with your left hand, you will start with your #5 finger on C,

then #4 on the next key,

then #3,

then #2

and finally your thumb.

Practice playing this several times.

C Positions
 

Here is the final step to "shrinking your piano" and getting familiar with playing all the keys.

Your assignment is:

1. Place your right hand in Middle C position with your thumb on Middle C. Play any patterns you like and at different speeds. When finished, move your right hand up to a different C section of the piano (the notes will sound higher) and with your thumb on C, again play all the patterns that you like. Continue to move your right hand to different sections and with your thumb on C, play whatever you like. (Make sure that the sections you choose are above Middle C)

2. Do the same as above, except do it with your left hand. Remember, your left hand will be placed in a C position with your #5 finger on the C. Again, move your hand around and play in different C sections of the lower part of the piano, (below Middle C).

3. If you are very brave and want to try something new....try placing both hands on the piano, each in a different C section and play both hands at the same time. Make sure you match the same note with the same note, not the same finger with the same finger. For Example:

If you play a C with your right hand thumb, then at the same time, you will play a C with your left hand #5 finger and so forth.

Do not play your right hand thumb, with your left hand thumb....that is something that will come later.

Have FUN! Move your hands around the piano, use every C position on the piano, try different combinations of C positions withboth hands, play different patterns, make up your own songs and maybe even a few words to sing along! Be creative!

If you liked this lesson, and would like to continue, please feel free to do so absolutely FREE! If you have any suggestions for me to make any of these pages more understandable, I am definitely open to listen!

Eye-Hand Coordination

Before you start Lesson 2, make sure you understand EVERYTHING about Lesson 1. Your chances of success are very high if you take your time and move to the next lesson only when you are very comfortable with what you have learned so far. Remember, if you were taking lessons from a live teacher, your lessons are given only once a week. So, give yourself the time you need to succeed!

The goal of Lesson Two is to teach you "Eye-Hand Coordination" and by presenting you with some short songs to play without the confusion of note reading just yet. Don't worry...note reading will be introduced in Lesson Three.

Getting Ready to Play

Now the "eye-hand" training will begin. We will start by using the right hand only.

You will need to be able to play your piano and look at the screen at the same time, or if you are a member, you can print Lesson 2 and place the pages on your piano.

Place your right hand in Middle C position, remember your thumb should be on the Middle C and each of your other fingers should be placed on one key each.

What you are about to do is play the keys while you are looking at the song on the screen. The song will consist of finger numbers, except for the C, which you already know to play with the #1 finger, your thumb..

Find and play each key WITHOUT looking at the piano and WITHOUT looking at your fingers. Your EYES will remain on the screen. Your HAND and FINGERS will stay in position.

Play the piano key that matches the finger number that you see on the screen....if you practiced Lesson One well, and you know how to keep your hand and fingers in C position, then you should be able to accomplish this with very little effort.

Proceed to Page 3 to play the song....

My First Song

Did you keep your EYES on the screen?

Did your hands and fingers stay in place?

Practice the song until you can do it without looking at your hands.
This is called "eye-hand" coordination. This "eye-hand" coordination that you are trying to develop is going to be VERY important and will determine how successful you will be on the piano.
You will need to be able to look at your music and not at your hands as much as possible. You probably already found out that if you look at your hands, then you lose your place on the music when you look back up.

Practice this song until you sound smooth, (no pauses) and you feel very confident.

Every Mark Has A Meaning.....

Everything you see on your music means something. Do not EVER pass over an unfamiliar mark without understanding what it is telling you to do.

On this song, you will see that there is a new mark...it is colored RED. This particular symbol is not a official music symbol, but it is important to know what it is telling you.

The RED dash (-) symbol on the music tells you to hold the note you are currently playing for an extra beat. For example...when you start to play this song, and you reach the RED dash, your #5 finger will have just played...the dash tells you to hold that 5 in place of the dash...in other words, 1 extra beat.

Treble Clef and G

You didn't think you were going to stay on readng numbers forever did you? This song has eliminated the number 5 and replaced it with a G. Everytime you see the letter G, then you will play your #5 finger because G is the REAL name of the key your #5 finger rests on.

Also, there is a new mark on this page other than G, (which is marked in RED), the other new mark is also marked in RED and it is found at the beginning of each new line of music. It is called the Treble Clef.
The Treble Clef tells you to use your right hand, just like you are already doing.

Practice this page until you are comfortable with finding G...if you need more help with this, the printable version provides more detail with playing the rhythm correctly and gives you more songs to practice.

Quarter Rests

The new mark on this song, which is marked in RED, is called a QUARTER REST.
What a quarter rest tells you to do is REST for 1 beat. It is different than the dash (-) that tells you to hold for 1 beat.

In this song, after you play the first note, which is G, you will see a quarter rest. Immediately let go of the G and give the quarter rest 1 silent beat and then proceed with the song.

Make sure you understand the difference between the dash and the quarter rest. Each receives 1 beat, but the dash is a held previous note, and the quarter rest is total silence.

If you need more help in counting the rest and hold correctly, go to the print version of Lesson 2 where you will find more detailed information along with a link to view a short video.

New Key E

Number 3 will now be taken away and replaced with the REAL name of the key, which is E. Everytime you see E, then you will play your #3 finger.

Measures and "D"

A measure is a small segment of music. If you look at the music on the screen, you will see that I shaded 3 measures for you. I shaded measure #1, #6 and #8.

Measures are used to organize music. For example if I say, play measure #5 for me, you will know exactly where to start playing.

New also on this page is "D". Instead of seeing a number 2, you will see a "D", which you will play with your #2 finger.

Also notice that this song contains 8 measures. Previous songs were only 4 measures.

If you play this song correctly and smoothly, you will recognize the tune!

Barlines and "F"

"F"is the new key here. You should know the routine by now...."F" will replace the number 4 on your music and when you see the F, you will use your #4 finger.

Congratulations! Did you notice that now you are completely weaned off of all the numbers and you are reading music by letter?

Make sure you are NOT looking at your hands to play...keep your EYES on the music. This song is an old melody that you will recognize if you play it right...

The little red arrows you see on this page are pointing to what are called BARLINES.
Barlines separate the measures into tidy little boxes. These barlines do not tell you to do anything...they are just for organization.

Play this song...I know you will enjoy this familiar melody.

Minuet

Use all your new playing skills...keep your eyes on the music..not on your fingers! When you are comfortable with this, proceed to Lesson 3.

Chords

Chords (pronounced: kordz) are defined as "a combination of two or more tones which sound harmonious when heard at the same time".

A chord, when playing the piano, is playing two or more notes at the same time, with the same hand.

By the end of lesson three, you will be able to play chords with your left hand while you are playing with your right hand! That's right! You will be playing songs with both hands at the same time by the time you reach the end of this lesson!

The "C" Chord

Place your left hand in C position as learned in Lesson One. The diagram above will help you remember.

As you can see, the diagram above shows 3 keys colored. The C, which you pinky (#5 finger) should be resting on, the E, which your middle (#3 finger) should be resting one and the G, which your thumb (#1 finger) should be resting on.

Play all three of those keys at the same time with the fingers that are resting on them. Do NOT change the fingers.

If you played it correctly, it will sound like this.

"C" Chord Exercise

The above exercise shows what the C chord looks like when written in note form:
(3 notes stacked like a snowman.)
It is important to notice where the C chord is placed on the staff.
Also notice the bass clef, which reminds you to play with your left hand.

Now it's time to play the exercise.....

1. Place your left hand in the C chord position.

2. Place the correct fingers on the C chord notes:
(#5 little finger, #3 middle finger and #1 thumb.)

3. Look at the exercise and play the chords as you see them.

4. Don't forget to rest for 1 beat when you see the rest sign.

Practice this exercise several times before listening to what it should sound like.
DO NOT listen to the exercise before you start playing.
Listening to the exercise BEFORE you practice will SLOW your progress because it is
easy to mimmick what it sounds like, instead of reading the notes and symbols.
If you want to succeed, then please follow this advise.

After you have practiced this exercise, you may listen to what it should sound like and then use it to correct yourself if needed.

Test your new skill....

Play the the following exercise.
Remember to REST for one beat at each REST sign.
After you have practiced several times, listen to it's sound and see how
well you did.

Look Ma! Two Hands...

Place both hands in position. This song will involve using both hands.
Start this song with your right hand playing the letters.
When you see the C chords, play them with your left hand.
Practiced it several times before listening to it.

Together At Last...

Place both hands in position. This song will involve using both hands AT THE SAME TIME!!
Start this song with your right hand playing the letters.
When you get to the letter "G", you will see a C chord directly beneath it.
Play the C chord with your left hand at the same time that you play the letter G right hand.

In this particular song, you might want to listen to it before playing it
so that you will understand it better.

Note Values

Notes are written in many forms. Some are solid black, some have stems, some have flags, some are white and so forth.
So far, the notes you have been playing are solid black with a stem, as seen in the C chord.
Solid black notes with a stem are called quarter notes and they receive one beat... exactly the way you have already been counting it.

Now I would like to introduce to you the WHOLE NOTE. Whole notes are white and do not have a stem.
Whole notes are held for four beats.
When you play a whole note, count to four before you let go.
...