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Teach Yourself Piano: For The Beginner

March 7, 2010 on 5:08 am | By admin | In Arts and Entertainment | Comments Off

Getting To Know The Keys

A piano has two different sets of keys. The white keys are natural and the black keys represent sharps and flats. Your piano has 88 keys and 7 octaves among them. This may seem complicated, but it is necessary to teach yourself piano. Let’s begin.

Finding Middle C

Every C note on the keyboard is located adjacent and to the left of  the two black keys sitting together. Beginning from the left, move up four octaves. This is middle C. An octave consists of  8 natural, or white keys.

 

The Scale

From middle C, work your way up to the next octave, striking only white keys. They are: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.

Understanding Written Music

Don’t panic! If you do not know how to read sheet music, you can still teach yourself piano, but getting to know how the notes on the keyboard correspond with sheet music will help the learning process.

Music is written on a staff, which has five lines and four spaces between them. From bottom to top the notes in the spaces are F-A-C-E. From top to bottom the notes on the lines are E-G-B-D-F. A good way to remember this is: Every Good Boy Does Fine.

Sharps And Flats

An easy way to find a sharp and flat is this: Find middle C. Now strike the black key to the right. This is C sharp, or C# This note is also known as D flat or Db, as the next natural or white key up from C is D as demonstrated earlier.

Basic Chords

Now that you know the basic scale, time to learn a chord. This is the best way to teach yourself piano-starting from scratch. Find middle C. With your thumb on middle C, place your middle finger on the natural E and your pinky on natural G. This is the basic C chord, also called the initial chord, as other variations exist for C.

The best way to discover chords is to experiment. If it sounds good and not out of tune, you are on the right track.

Chord Charts

To learn your chords and master the many variations of each you can find chord charts. They are available for free on the Internet. Tack them up where you can refer to them. They are invaluable in learning to teach yourself piano.

Once you master the basics, a greater understanding will develop. Take things slow and learn at your own pace. The piano is a complex instrument, but once you learn how to play it will be with your forever. It is definitely worth the time and effort!

 

copyright by Lauren Paltrow