Repeat the exercise over and over until you can do it perfectly. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Make sure that you practice this style with both hands. But, at this point in your lessons, it is okay to bounce your hands up and down while doing the staccato motion, as long as they are bouncing from the wrists and not from the arms. Learn how to play piano with us in only 13 steps for free! Start by trying it with a single note. This 1-3-5 works for all keys. First, look for Middle C on the keyboard. Best piano songs for beginner to start playing. You will notice that there are fewer numbers for the left hand. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This is generally the lead hand, the one that plays the melodies while the left hand plays the bass lines. Play this scale over and over again until, building up speed as you become more confident with it. If you want to learn how to play your favorite songs on the piano, you are going to need to learn how to play chords. Play each note slowly at first, with no pauses between notes. Now let’s talk about keyboard layout, because you will need where your fingers are supposed to go. By using our site, you agree to our. Now that your right hand is in this position, it is time to play a short, numbered pattern, one note at a time, releasing each note before pressing the next. PIANU IS FUN, EASY, AND ACCESSIBLE. Keep your wrist up so your fingers can be curved. Now you can learn about actual fingering, or where your fingers need to be on the keyboard. If you know you are serious about learning and want something that you won’t outgrow quickly, then spend more. Instead, for this lesson, we are going to simply concentrate on the C scale, which is played on the white keys. Let’s go back to the right hand for a little while. Our Rating: 3.5/5. Again, play each note one at a time, slowly at first, and then start building your speed, still playing the notes in legato style. Use your computer mouse or keyboard to play the virtual piano keyboard (or the device touch screen for mobile users). As with the right hand, make sure that your hand is steady, and that it is not moving or rocking. Once you can play it at a slow speed, you can begin to increase the speed at which you play the notes. There are two lines of numbers now, with the top line being for the right hand, and the bottom being for the left hand. Now that you are used to playing the notes with both hands, it is time to make it a little bit more difficult. We will do this through a series of simple exercises. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Some keyboards have 49, 61, or 76 keys. Many beginners make the mistake of tensing their hands when playing staccato. Remember, you still have to play each note with equal force so they have the same volume. Was this easier, more difficult, or the same level of difficulty as it was with your right hand? If you are serious about learning to play the piano, the first thing you will need to do is put those negative thoughts be… Chapter 3 - Proper Piano Technique. If you play two or three C’s at once, you will see that they are in harmony. This is important, because one of the biggest mistakes many beginners make is improper fingering, which makes it difficult to learn scales, arpeggios, chords, etc. Yes, we know that practicing scales is boring, but it is something that every piano player needs to do if they really want to be able to play well. Once you are able to do this on one note, start using this style for the entire sequence. Now that you know where the C is on any part of the keyboard, you can start figuring out where all of the other notes are, from A to G. If you play all of the white keys from one C to another, you will be playing the “Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do” scale that you learned as a child in school. Sit at the center of the instrument. Remember the numbered finger system you learned earlier? In this complete guide we give you piano lessons for beginners that will have you playing simple songs in no time at all! In our crash course for beginners we teach you the (not at all boring) theoretical basics at home: The names of all the notes on the keyboard; Whole and half notes; Note values and rests; Beat and tempo; For a more practical approach, we added lots of illustrations, sheet music to perform, exercises and various quizzes for you. Along with the notation, there will be numbers either above or below the notes, which represent which fingers to use (it is the same for both hands). You have just played your first chord on the piano. E now becomes Eb) and there you have your C minor chord. Be patient, because these simple songs will start you on the path to where you really want to be. Each note must be played separately, and at the same volume (hitting each note with the same amount of force). Now you can finish the rest of the scale. Want to learn how to play keyboard, but don’t have the time for traditional piano lessons? Okay, so you know that there are 12 notes, which means that Middle C can be found every 12 notes. Take a look at the following diagram to get a better understand of what we are talking about. 7 Steps to Learn How to Play Piano: Many people who want to learn to play the piano are put off by the idea of spending long, boring hours learning music notes. Then, start playing the notes, with both hands. How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer. Pianos and keyboards follow the same pattern, with the same notes repeating in the same order along the keyboard. Let’s start with the C chord. The tenser your hands are, the less speed you will be able to achieve. Simply looking at the instrument and memorizing where each key is located is not enough. Next, play the black key to the left of Middle C. This note is C flat. For now, just hit notes close to what you think the singer is singing and adjust as needed. This is because you will be playing two notes on the right hand for every one left hand note. Intermediate and even advanced players will also find many of the articles, videos and diagrams very useful. Now that you have completed your first seven beginner piano lessons, you probably want to learn more so you can start playing songs right away. If you want to learn how to play piano or keyboards, you’re definitely in the right place. Your elbows should be a little bit higher than the keys, and bent so your forearms and the floor are parallel to one another. Learn more... Learning the piano keyboard takes time. This exercise is going to really test, and improve, your coordination. To create this article, 13 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. To create this article, 13 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The login page will open in a new tab. Proper piano posture is important, because you need to learn how to reach the whole keyboard span comfortably. Play a Middle C note. Each key should be hit with the same intensity. The pattern is as follows: Make sure that you are only moving your fingers, and that your hand is neither moving nor rocking back and forth as you play each note. The first note you need to find is Middle C. This is the white key that is to the left of the first of the two black keys that are nearest the center of the piano or keyboard. ​​Casio CTK-2500AD Electronic Keyboard. Start by choosing a key and using chord progressions from that key. And what features should we look for in a MIDI keyboard if it’s main intended purpose is to play the piano. At this point, you should have a pretty good feel for where your fingers should be placed. This time, you are going to be playing the same notes with each hand, and there are no double right hand notes. When you have mastered playing this sequence quickly, both legato and staccato, you can move on to something a bit more complicated. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Keep practicing the exercises from this and the previous lesson until you feel confident enough to start playing with both hands. Pianuhelps you learn piano faster because it feels like a game! If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Now that you have mastered playing a few notes legato, it is time to learn how to play staccato. It is going to take a bit of practice to get used to using both hands, but keep on trying. All five fingers should be resting on these five keys. You don’t have to learn how to read music, or use key signatures when you are learning how to play scales. Start learning piano now for just $14/month – cancel anytime. These are the same numbers, and the same fingers are used, but the sequence is scattered, so your fingers have a bit more work to do. Can I learn piano on a keyboard? This article has been viewed 136,885 times. Optimally, if you are using a keyboard, it should have 88 keys, just as an acoustic piano does. You can learn to play piano on a midi keyboard, but it is not ideal. Place your right hand in the Middle C position, and then put your left hand in the C position, which is located just below Middle C. Make sure that your wrists are bent and that your fingers are curled somewhat. How Many Keys Should a Beginner Keyboard Have? Again, practice in legato and staccato. Now, play the first black key to the right. This can get a bit confusing for beginners, because each of these notes has two names: sharp and flat. (It's also a good idea to keep your fingernails short.). Strike the key quickly, over and over again. As long as your fingers are where they are supposed to be, you shouldn’t need to look at where they are. Let’s take a look at some of the best piano songs for beginners. Ready for that sequence of numbers? Now that you see how easy it is, let’s take a look at the notes you need to play for the rest of the chords in the key of C. We are not going to get into finger numbering. Place your left hand so it is in the C position, with your fingers resting on the keys. Locate middle C on your keyboard, which is going to be the first note of the C chord (this will be the case with all chords, with the named note being the first). 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5- 4 - 3. The Notes The first thing to learn is where to find the notes on the keyboard. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. You will be playing the same patterns as above, but instead of playing the notes so they ring, they will be played in short bursts. This small step is going to make learning how to play the piano a lot easier. Again, start in the C position on the keyboard, which is seven notes to the left of Middle C. The numbering is the same for both hands, with the thumb being number one and the pinky being number five. some basic lessons to get you started followed by a complete chord sheet with the 24 basic major and minor chords. Every chord is built on 1-3-5. Practice as much as you can and soon you will not need the chart. We are going to start with this sequence of 15 numbers, each corresponding with your fingers. This is because it is easier to learn things on one hand, at least when you are a beginner. If you want a minor chord, all you have to do is lower your third (e.g. This may seem confusing at first, but you should have no trouble picking it up after a few tries. Work on developing your ear, and it will come to you if you practice. Again, you will be playing two notes at the same time all the way through this exercise. When playing these lines together, play the ones, threes, and fives together, holding between notes on the left hand so you can play the second note with the right hand. By now, you should be able to play any sequence of notes without looking, as long as you were starting out at the right place. Now, you are going to play the same sequence of numbers that you used in the first exercise for the right hand. The following lessons use the numbering technique. For the purpose of these beginner piano lessons, we are going to stick with chords in the key of C for the time being, C Major, C Major Seventh, D Minor, D Minor Seventh, E Minor, E Minor Seventh, F Major, F Major Seventh, G Major, G Dominant Seventh, A Minor, A Minor Seventh, B Diminished, and B Minor Seventh Flat Five. Playing the piano helps to apply what you have learned and furthers your understanding of the keyboard. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. This is a three-note chord, with the other notes being E and G. The E note is two notes to the right of the C, and the G is four notes to the right of the C. To play this chord, place your thumb on the C, your index finger on the E, and your ring finger on the G. Play all three notes at once. In addition to making it easier to play the piano, fingered piano music also makes it easier to learn how to read music notation. Now, slowly start playing each note, one at a time, without looking at your fingers. The first thing to do is to once again locate Middle C again, but with the left hand this time. So, start with your right hand in the Middle C position, and study the above sequence of numbers. Note that the numbers are again a bit more scattered, so you have to concentrate more on what you are doing. We’ve only talked about the white keys. But, as long as your fingers are starting out in the right places in the C position, you shouldn’t even have to look down at your hands at this point. Yes. Write a piano key chart and put on the piano to help you remember where the keys are. Don’t worry, it isn’t as difficult as it sounds. This would be C sharp. So, you will start both lines with your thumb, which is 1. The best beginner keyboards for learning piano should be playable and portable and have useful features like metronomes and built-in speakers. Your job is to play these notes without looking down at your hand. Keep your feet flat on the floor, with your right foot slightly ahead of the left (for the pedals). This is staccato. This article has been viewed 136,885 times. Pianu is the easy, affordable, fun and fast way for ANYONE to learn piano. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. For this lesson, this is position number one. It is best to start out with simple songs, and every piano teacher will have you playing things like Mary Had a Little Lamb, no matter how old you are. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. With your right hand on the keyboard, find the Middle C, and place your 1 finger on it (thumb). The next exercise gets even trickier, but it is going to get you used to playing different notes with both hands, thereby improving your coordination even more. Please log in again. For example, if you're starting on C, and you know your C major scale, you can use the 1st note (C), the 3rd (E) and the 5th (G). Once you are able to easily play these notes in order on your keyboard, it is time to step it up to the second sequence, which is a bit more difficult. Our goal is to ensure that you will be able to find any of these notes in any part of the keyboard. Again, start out slowly, and build up your speed as you become more confident. The numbering will look a little different, because it is backwards. Even having a handful of simple skills on the piano can pay dividends for any musician. You have to have a musical ear if you want to hit the notes a singer is singing without struggle. How to Fix Dead Keys on a Yamaha Keyboard? Lean forward just a bit, with your arms hanging loosely at your sides. For this lesson, we are pretty much going to repeat Lesson 1, but with the left hand instead of the right. Play it slowly at first, then build up your speed as you feel comfortable playing the notes in this style. We will get into the fingering of the various notes a bit later. You should be sitting up straight, but not so straight that you are stiff. This is known as playing “legato” style. So, let’s start this exercise by placing your right hand in the Middle C position, and your left hand in the C position. Learning the piano keyboard takes time. This is where it will really start to come in handy. For this exercise, you will be playing the same notes on the right hand that you played in the right hand lesson, and learning new notes for the left hand. Playing with proper piano technique is not just about pushing the right keys. When your fingers are resting on the keyboard, they should be curved, just like if you were holding a ball. Watch the video below to see it in action. Mastering these will enable you to play most popular songs by ear or by reading chord sheets. But, you really need to make an effort to not watch your hands all the time while you are playing. Using a good method book is one of the most important beginning steps in this learning process. The design of the piano … Whether you choose a real acoustic piano or an electronic keyboard, the layout is going to be the same, although a keyboard may have fewer keys. Black keys are a half step higher or lower in pitch than the white keys that surround them. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Start by sitting properly at the piano or keyboard. Practice until you don’t have to look at the keyboard, and then work on speed. The Imperial March (The Darth Vader Theme), Best Beginner Piano Books: 15 Top Piano Books for Children & Adults. Our top 10 best beginner keyboards and digital pianos have instruments close to $50 and some not too far from $1000. Now that you know the basics of fingering and the keyboard layout, let’s start learning how to play the piano. This site contains many free step by step beginner lessons that will take your playing to the next level. Now that you are used to doing simple exercises with your right hand, it is time to start practicing with the left hand. Then, you can build notes from that scale on top of the chords until you have a good song. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Once you feel confident that you can play both lines without looking down at the keyboard, you can start increasing the speed at which you play them. On the left hand, play fingers one, two, and three, or the notes C, D, and E. Your right hand should be positioned so the thumb is on F and the pinky on C, right above Middle C. On the right hand, play the next note with finger one or your thumb. How to Connect a Casio Keyboard to a Computer, Alesis Recital 88-Key Digital Piano Review, Alesis Recital: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, Hamzer Keyboard: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, Hamzer Keyboard 61 Keys vs Rockjam 61 Keyboard, RockJam Keyboards: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, The ONE Smart 88 Weighted Key Piano Review, How to Buy a Keyboard Piano for a Beginner. Okay, if you need to, you can cheat the first couple of times. I’ve called this the all-rounder, because I … Now we are going to move on to the second exercise that you played with the right hand, and add a left hand line, just as we did above. These are all played on the white keys, and use three to four fingers. https://piano-keyboard-reviews.com/tutorials/how-to-play-keyboard Simply looking at the instrument and memorizing where each key is located is not enough. But what are the trade-offs when going down this route? This is a bit trickier than the last exercise, because you will be going in one direction with your right hand, and in the opposite direction with your left hand. This will be position 1, or Middle C position. Bring up your hands so they are lightly resting on the keys. If you want to start learning the piano, Sweetwater carries plenty of beginner keyboards that are well suited for new players. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Again, keep doing this until you can do it perfectly, and then begin to increase the speed at which you are playing the series of notes. For learning and playing your favorite songs, use OnlinePianist’s piano tutorial app. A full sized piano keyboard will have up to 88 black and white keys. https://takelessons.com/live/piano/piano-practice-tips, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvsM5LSh_HM, https://www.musicnotes.com/now/tips/10-piano-practice-tips/, Imparare a Conoscere la Tastiera del Pianoforte, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This is where the numbering system really comes in handy, so hopefully you have memorized the numbers that correspond to each finger. Let’s jump right into the two hand exercises. Your bottom should be firmly planted on the bench, forward so your thighs are barely on the bench. They’re not exactly the same thing, but beginners will be pleased to know that you can learn much of the technique and hand positions needed by playing on a keyboard. Practice the sequence in legato and staccato. % of people told us that this article helped them. We are not going to give you a lot of complicated scales to worry about. Learning Piano as an Adult: Benefits & Tips for Speeding Up Learning, Piano Exercises: Guide for Beginners & Intermediate Players Striving to Improve, How to Teach Yourself Piano (2020): 26 Best Online Courses, Apps, Books, PDFs & More. Then, play two notes together, hold with the left, play second note with the right, etc. I would also recommend reading through wikiHow's article on. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Playing the piano helps to apply what you have learned and furthers your understanding of the keyboard. Study the notes in this chart for a couple of minutes, and if necessary, take a look at the keyboard to see where they are in relation to your fingers. Now we are going to get into the really fun stuff, exercises using both hands. Well let’s look a little closer: Why not just get a piano? So, it is one, two, and three on the left hand, and one, two, three, four, and five with the right hand. Now, try the same exercise, playing each note, one at a time, without pausing between notes, and playing each note with the same amount of force. Copyright © 2020 Piano Keyboard ReviewsAbout | Contact | Affiliate Disclosure | Terms of Service | Privacy PolicyPiano Keyboard Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Using a good method book is one of the most important beginning steps in this learning process. Who Invented the Electric Piano Keyboard? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 136,885 times. Using the numbering for your fingers, place your hands in the C position. Once you are in the proper position, your knees will be just under the keyboard. It is important to keep your hands relaxed, and not tense up the muscles. It is going to get you more used to playing melody lines with the right hand and bass lines with your left hand. Before you can start learning how to play the piano, you should learn how to sit at one properly. You need to also feel relaxed. Once you get used to playing the sequence, start working on your speed. Don’t peek at your hands. It may take a while to get used to playing the notes with fingers 3 and 4, but it will come with practice. 1 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 3 - 1 - 5 - 4 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 5 - 4 - 1 - 5. No matter how many keys your keyboard has, there will always be 12 notes that are repeated all the way across the keyboard, from left to right (bottom to top). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In this lesson, we will be doing some right hand exercises in the C Major position. Next, place your 2 finger (index finger) on the white note to the right of Middle C. Place the 3 finger (middle) on the next white key, the 4 finger (ring or third) on the next, and finally, your 5 finger (pinky) on the next white key. That applies to buying keyboards or digital pianos for both kids and adults. Now comes what may seem like a really boring part of the lesson, but it is necessary to help you learn the numbering, and to get your fingers moving. If you are serious about learning how to play, the minimum amount of keys your keyboard should have is 61. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Learn-the-Piano-Keyboard-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Learn-the-Piano-Keyboard-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Learn-the-Piano-Keyboard-Step-1.jpg\/aid1371725-v4-728px-Learn-the-Piano-Keyboard-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"