BEGINNING PIANO LESSON 1: Learn The Keys - Part 2

In your beginner piano lessons at Matlin Piano Studio, you'll notice that the black keys are organized in groups of 2’s and 3’s. There are 7 groupings of each across a standard piano—be sure to count them. If you're using a smaller keyboard, you will find only 5 of each group: 5 groups of 2 and 5 groups of 3. COUNT THEM ON YOUR INSTRUMENT. Start your piano keys learning by mastering the 3 white keys that surround the group of 2 black keys first.

STEP #1

In your beginner piano lessons, you'll discover that the white key to the left of the three black keys is F.

Now, play and count the number of F’s on your piano or keyboard. There are 8 F’s on a piano and 6 F’s on a keyboard, so this is a great step in your piano keys learning process.

Take a moment to play and count all the F’s again on your piano.

STEP #2  

In your beginner piano lessons, locate the black key in the center of the three black keys. The white key immediately to the left of this middle black key is G.

Now, play and count the number of G's on your piano or keyboard. You'll find that there are 8 G's on a standard piano and 6 G's on a keyboard, which is an essential part of your piano keys learning journey.

Go ahead and play and count all the G's again on your keyboard as you practice at Matlin Piano Studio.

STEP #3 Find the black key in the middle of the three black keys. The white key to the right of the middle black key is A. As part of your beginner piano lessons at Matlin Piano Studio, play and count the number of A's on your piano or keyboard. There are 8 A's on a piano and 6 A's on a keyboard. Be sure to play and count all the A's again on your keyboard to enhance your piano keys learning.

STEP #4

The white key to the right of the three black keys is B. It can also be easily identified by locating any C on the keyboard. The white key to the left of C is B. 

As part of your beginner piano lessons at Matlin Piano Studio, practice by playing and counting the number of B's on your piano or keyboard. There are 8 B's on a piano and 6 B's on a keyboard. Make sure to play and count all the B's again on your keyboard for a thorough understanding of piano keys learning.

DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER UNTIL YOU CAN FIND AND PLAY THESE 4 NOTES ANYWHERE ON YOUR PIANO OR KEYBOARD.

Sit directly in front of the middle of the keyboard to begin your beginner piano lessons. Place your right hand pointer finger on the C directly in front of you; this is Middle C, which will be a foundation key for many pieces you learn at Matlin Piano Studio.

Using your pointer finger, play eight piano keys to the right starting with Middle C, saying the note names as you play them. It will sound:

C D E F G A B C.

Next, use your pointer finger to locate A. Play eight keys to the right starting with A, saying each note as you play. It will sound:

A B C D E F G A.

Continue this exercise by finding any white key on the keyboard, playing it, and saying its name. Then, practice playing eight keys to the right of that letter, clearly pronouncing the names of the letters as you learn more about piano keys.