Learning the piano can be a fun a rewarding experience. It is not however without out its challenges. Learning to read and play music is just like learning to speak a new language. Once you learn the basics you will be able to play many different styles of music. So, let’s start with the basics.
Finger Numbers
When learning to read music, it is helpful to give numbers to your fingers. This helps with hand position early on and, also helps with learning difficult passages as you progress. The numbers of the fingers start with the thumbs. The thumbs on both hands are one and then we count from there. Check out the picture.
How to place your hands on the Keyboard
Now that you know the numbers of your fingers let’s talk about how to play the notes with your fingers. You want your fingers to be curved and you want your wrists to be flexible. Also, you want your wrists to be slightly higher than your fingers. This makes it easier to play and, also keeps you from straining as you play.
Where do we start on the Keyboard?
We are going to start on the keyboard with middle C. Before we play, let’s talk about the keyboard. The keyboard is made up of black keys and white keys. There are groups of two black keys and there are groups of three black keys. Notice the pattern. The note C is the first white key just to the left of the beginning of the group of two black keys. So, every note in this position is a C. Let’s find this note closest to the middle of the keyboard. This is middle C.
Let’s Play!
Now that we have found where middle C is let’s put the thumb from our right hand on it and play. Congratulations! You have just played your first note. For now, we are only going to be playing the white notes. So, again place the thumb from your right hand on middle C and let your other fingers cover the next four white keys. Go ahead and play each of them.
For the left hand, let’s find the C below middle C and place our pinky on it. Then let our other fingers follow on the next four keys.
Reading music
For now, we are only going to focus on the first five notes with the right hand. We are also only going to focus on the notes and not the rhythm. The first five notes are C, D, E, F and G. Memorize these notes and their position on the keyboard! Play them fast, play them slow. Read the music and notice that as the music rises your fingers go further to the right. As the music falls, your fingers move to the left.
Practice
Now that you know these five notes, memorize them. Play them up and down and in different orders throughout the week. Make yourself comfortable with these notes. Try and make up songs with just these five notes.