Music Lessons – Introduction to Piano/Keyboard
Lesson 2
rThis lesson you will be learning more about the keyboard, playing on the black keys, playing on the white keys, the whole tone scale, the treble clef, E G B treble lines, crotchet (quarter note), exercises reading and playing notes on the treble staff, sharp sign, F A treble spaces, and theory work.
The Keyboard
Last lesson it was mentioned that the keyboard has white keys and black keys, and the black keys are grouped in twos and threes, and C D E are the three white keys near the two black keys. This week you will learn about the other four white keys F G A B. They are the four white keys near the three black keys.
Playing on The Black Keys
Play the two black key groups going up and down, with your right hand finger numbers 2 and 3. Start on the two black keys near the middle of the keyboard and play each group going up the keyboard to the right, then coming down and back to the middle of the keyboard. Keep an even beat and try connecting the sound from one note to the next. When the next note is played try to lift the finger that has just played. Now put your left hand finger numbers 3 and 2 on the two black keys just to the left of the middle of the keyboard. Play each pair of two black keys going down the keyboard to the left, then coming up and back to the starting pair.
Playing on The White Keys
Find and play all the F G A B keys on your keyboard using finger numbers 2 3 4 5 of your right hand. Fly from one group to the next in the shape of an arc. Say the names of the keys ‘ALOUD’ as you play. Now play B A G F all over the keyboard saying the letter names of each key ‘ALOUD’ as you play.
Do the same as above, but now use finger numbers 1 2 3 4 of your right hand.
Now do the above two actions with your left hand, first using finger numbers 5 4 3 2, then 4 3 2 1.
The Whole Tone Scale
Debussy, a famous composer of the Impressionist Period, often used this scale. The keys of the whole tone scale always have one key (black or white) between them. For example C to D is a whole tone because there is one black key between them.
Place your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of your right hand on a three black key group with thumb on E and 5th finger on C. Play each key. Play up the keyboard to the right, then play down the keyboard to the left. You need not try to connect the sound from one key to the next for this exercise. If you have a piano, depress the right pedal keeping it down while you play all the keys up and down, and listen to the effect. If you have a pedal on your keyboard, depress the pedal and listen to the effect.
Place your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of your left hand on a three black key group with 5th finger on E and thumb on C. Play each key. Play up the keyboard to the right, then play down the keyboard to the left. Likewise as above, you need not try to connect the sound from one key to the next. Once again depress the pedal if you have one, and listen to the effect.
Treble Clef
This introduces the treble (G clef) sign (or symbol). When placed at the beginning of the staff, it is called the treble staff. There are several different clef signs. They signify the pitch of notes for that staff. For instance, the treble clef signifies that any notes on it are above middle C. Middle C has a middle sounding pitch; it is not high or low. On the piano, Middle C is the C closest to the middle of the piano keyboard. On the keyboard Middle C is usually the C closest to the middle of the keyboard. However on the keyboard this C may sound lower or higher depending on which registration is being used. Notes in the treble clef have a middle sound, then as they go up higher, their sounds gradually become higher sounding in pitch.
E G B Treble Lines Notes on the staff are on lines or in spaces. Most notes have two parts, a head and a stem.
You must see the head and see if it is on a line
(sitting on the line with a part of the head each side of the line),or in a space
i.e. the head fills the area between the two lines.Treble Staff
Numbering the Lines
The staff has five lines. The lines are numbered from the lowest line up. E is on the first line of the treble staff (sometimes called the treble clef). (First line treble clef E) is a way of remembering it.
On the ‘Treble Staff’ number the five lines with the lowest line being number 1. Make sure each line runs through the middle of each number.
With the finger tip (use a pencil if you prefer) of your right hand pointer finger (number 2 finger), point at the first line and say ALOUD ‘E’. Now place your right hand pointer finger tip between the first and second lines and whisper ‘F’. Place your finger on the second line and say ALOUD ‘G’. Place your finger between the second and third lines and whisper ‘A’. Place your finger on the third line and say ALOUD ‘B’. This is a very good way of learning the letter names of the first three lines in the treble staff, as you are learning your way up the treble staff, and forward through the musical alphabet. Now say ALOUD ‘First Line E’, ‘Second Line G’, ‘Third Line (or middle line) B’ pointing precisely to each line with your pointer finger or pencil.
Crotchet (Quarter Note) A crotchet note receives one count. It has a black head and a stem. The stem goes down or up, depending on its position on the staff.
Exercises Reading and Playing Notes on the Treble Staff
First Exercise
Middle E is the second white key to the right of middle C.
The first exercise you will be learning is playing Middle E. Play this exercise
with your right hand thumb, and play Middle E eight times (1st finger) and keep a steady beat.
The Keyboard
Last lesson it was mentioned that the keyboard has white keys and black keys, and the black keys are grouped in twos and threes, and C D E are the three white keys near the two black keys. This week you will learn about the other four white keys F G A B. They are the four white keys near the three black keys.
Playing on The Black Keys
Play the two black key groups going up and down, with your right hand finger numbers 2 and 3. Start on the two black keys near the middle of the keyboard and play each group going up the keyboard to the right, then coming down and back to the middle of the keyboard. Keep an even beat and try connecting the sound from one note to the next. When the next note is played try to lift the finger that has just played. Now put your left hand finger numbers 3 and 2 on the two black keys just to the left of the middle of the keyboard. Play each pair of two black keys going down the keyboard to the left, then coming up and back to the starting pair.
Playing on The White Keys
Find and play all the F G A B keys on your keyboard using finger numbers 2 3 4 5 of your right hand. Fly from one group to the next in the shape of an arc. Say the names of the keys ‘ALOUD’ as you play. Now play B A G F all over the keyboard saying the letter names of each key ‘ALOUD’ as you play.
Do the same as above, but now use finger numbers 1 2 3 4 of your right hand.
Now do the above two actions with your left hand, first using finger numbers 5 4 3 2, then 4 3 2 1.
The Whole Tone Scale
Debussy, a famous composer of the Impressionist Period, often used this scale. The keys of the whole tone scale always have one key (black or white) between them. For example C to D is a whole tone because there is one black key between them.
Place your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of your right hand on a three black key group with thumb on E and 5th finger on C. Play each key. Play up the keyboard to the right, then play down the keyboard to the left. You need not try to connect the sound from one key to the next for this exercise. If you have a piano, depress the right pedal keeping it down while you play all the keys up and down, and listen to the effect. If you have a pedal on your keyboard, depress the pedal and listen to the effect.
Place your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of your left hand on a three black key group with 5th finger on E and thumb on C. Play each key. Play up the keyboard to the right, then play down the keyboard to the left. Likewise as above, you need not try to connect the sound from one key to the next. Once again depress the pedal if you have one, and listen to the effect.
Treble Clef
This introduces the treble (G clef) sign (or symbol). When placed at the beginning of the staff, it is called the treble staff. There are several different clef signs. They signify the pitch of notes for that staff. For instance, the treble clef signifies that any notes on it are above middle C. Middle C has a middle sounding pitch; it is not high or low. On the piano, Middle C is the C closest to the middle of the piano keyboard. On the keyboard Middle C is usually the C closest to the middle of the keyboard. However on the keyboard this C may sound lower or higher depending on which registration is being used. Notes in the treble clef have a middle sound, then as they go up higher, their sounds gradually become higher sounding in pitch.
E G B Treble Lines Notes on the staff are on lines or in spaces. Most notes have two parts, a head and a stem.
You must see the head and see if it is on a line
(sitting on the line with a part of the head each side of the line),or in a space
i.e. the head fills the area between the two lines.Treble Staff
Numbering the Lines
The staff has five lines. The lines are numbered from the lowest line up. E is on the first line of the treble staff (sometimes called the treble clef). (First line treble clef E) is a way of remembering it.
On the ‘Treble Staff’ number the five lines with the lowest line being number 1. Make sure each line runs through the middle of each number.
With the finger tip (use a pencil if you prefer) of your right hand pointer finger (number 2 finger), point at the first line and say ALOUD ‘E’. Now place your right hand pointer finger tip between the first and second lines and whisper ‘F’. Place your finger on the second line and say ALOUD ‘G’. Place your finger between the second and third lines and whisper ‘A’. Place your finger on the third line and say ALOUD ‘B’. This is a very good way of learning the letter names of the first three lines in the treble staff, as you are learning your way up the treble staff, and forward through the musical alphabet. Now say ALOUD ‘First Line E’, ‘Second Line G’, ‘Third Line (or middle line) B’ pointing precisely to each line with your pointer finger or pencil.
Crotchet (Quarter Note) A crotchet note receives one count. It has a black head and a stem. The stem goes down or up, depending on its position on the staff.
Exercises Reading and Playing Notes on the Treble Staff
First Exercise
Middle E is the second white key to the right of middle C.
The first exercise you will be learning is playing Middle E. Play this exercise
with your right hand thumb, and play Middle E eight times (1st finger) and keep a steady beat.
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For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
Two things to remember when first playing an exercise:
(1) Read the note.
(2) Read the finger number. A number near the note (in this instance, the red number 1 under the first note) is the finger number to use to play the key. This will be the right hand thumb (1st finger). It is the right hand as the notes are in the treble staff.
When Playing an Exercise Remember to:Keep your hands in the correct position on the keyboard.
Play by feel. Do not look at your hands.
Keep your eyes on the music.
Always look ahead on the music.
Read each note then play, and look ahead to the next note.
Play the exercise. Keep a steady beat. Think of a steady heart beat that keeps the music alive.
Play along with the sound file.
Reading and Playing E & F (Middle E and Middle F)
Play E with the right hand thumb, and F with the right hand second (pointer) finger. Keep a steady beat.
Two things to remember when first playing an exercise:
(1) Read the note.
(2) Read the finger number. A number near the note (in this instance, the red number 1 under the first note) is the finger number to use to play the key. This will be the right hand thumb (1st finger). It is the right hand as the notes are in the treble staff.
When Playing an Exercise Remember to:Keep your hands in the correct position on the keyboard.
Play by feel. Do not look at your hands.
Keep your eyes on the music.
Always look ahead on the music.
Read each note then play, and look ahead to the next note.
Play the exercise. Keep a steady beat. Think of a steady heart beat that keeps the music alive.
Play along with the sound file.
Reading and Playing E & F (Middle E and Middle F)
Play E with the right hand thumb, and F with the right hand second (pointer) finger. Keep a steady beat.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
The above is how these two notes E and F look on the treble staff when written as crotchet notes.
E is a line note.
F is a space note (between the lines).
Sharp Sign
The sharp sign.
A sharp sign placed before a note means to play the next key up to the right.
E F sharp
Play E with your right hand thumb (1st finger) and F sharp with your right hand 2nd (pointer) finger. The two keys are written on the treble staff below.
The above is how these two notes E and F look on the treble staff when written as crotchet notes.
E is a line note.
F is a space note (between the lines).
Sharp Sign
The sharp sign.
A sharp sign placed before a note means to play the next key up to the right.
E F sharp
Play E with your right hand thumb (1st finger) and F sharp with your right hand 2nd (pointer) finger. The two keys are written on the treble staff below.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
When we say ‘F sharp’ the word ‘sharp’ comes after we say ‘F’. However on the music staff the sharp sign is placed before the note ‘F’.
Second Exercise
Here is the second exercise to practise.
When we say ‘F sharp’ the word ‘sharp’ comes after we say ‘F’. However on the music staff the sharp sign is placed before the note ‘F’.
Second Exercise
Here is the second exercise to practise.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
Third Exercise
Here is the next exercise. Practise it until you know it well. Listen to it, then play along with it.
Third Exercise
Here is the next exercise. Practise it until you know it well. Listen to it, then play along with it.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
New Note G (on the 2nd line)
As you go up the staff from F in a space, the next note is G on a line.
Try to get into the habit of thinking forward alphabetically. Say ALOUD ‘E’, whisper ‘F’, say ALOUD ’G’, as you are now learning the treble lines.
New Note G (on the 2nd line)
As you go up the staff from F in a space, the next note is G on a line.
Try to get into the habit of thinking forward alphabetically. Say ALOUD ‘E’, whisper ‘F’, say ALOUD ’G’, as you are now learning the treble lines.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
For a larger picture click the small icon above right.
Fourth Exercise
Place your right hand thumb (1st finger) on middle E and your 2nd finger tip lightly touching the black key F sharp and your 3rd finger tip lightly touching the black key G sharp. Keep this good hand position and get the feel of these three keys under your fingers. The idea is to play by feel, and not to look at your hands.
After you have practised the exercise below, listen and play along with the sound.
Fourth Exercise
Place your right hand thumb (1st finger) on middle E and your 2nd finger tip lightly touching the black key F sharp and your 3rd finger tip lightly touching the black key G sharp. Keep this good hand position and get the feel of these three keys under your fingers. The idea is to play by feel, and not to look at your hands.
After you have practised the exercise below, listen and play along with the sound.
Fifth Exercise
After you have practised the exercise below, listen and play along with the sound.
After you have practised the exercise below, listen and play along with the sound.
F A Treble Spaces
F and A are in the first two spaces of the treble staff.
Copy the ‘Treble Staff’ and number the four spaces starting from the lowest space. Make sure each number occupies the space between the lines.
With the finger tip (use a pencil if you prefer) of your right hand pointer finger (number 2 finger), point in the first space and say ALOUD ‘F’. Now place your right hand pointer finger tip on the second line and whisper ‘G’. Place your finger in the second space and say ALOUD ‘A’.
Theory (Written) Work
Draw a treble staff and number the lines ten times.
Draw a treble staff and number the spaces ten times.
Draw a treble staff and name the first three lines ten times. Remember E on the first line then think up the alphabet skips. Play the three keys in the correct place on your keyboard using right hand finger numbers 1, 3 and 5.
Draw a treble staff and name the first two spaces ten times. Remember F in the first space then think up an alphabet skip. Don’t forget the musical alphabet ends at G, then starts all over again from A. Play these two keys in the correct place on your keyboard using right hand finger numbers 1 and 3.
Write the musical alphabet five times in one row.
F and A are in the first two spaces of the treble staff.
Copy the ‘Treble Staff’ and number the four spaces starting from the lowest space. Make sure each number occupies the space between the lines.
With the finger tip (use a pencil if you prefer) of your right hand pointer finger (number 2 finger), point in the first space and say ALOUD ‘F’. Now place your right hand pointer finger tip on the second line and whisper ‘G’. Place your finger in the second space and say ALOUD ‘A’.
Theory (Written) Work
Draw a treble staff and number the lines ten times.
Draw a treble staff and number the spaces ten times.
Draw a treble staff and name the first three lines ten times. Remember E on the first line then think up the alphabet skips. Play the three keys in the correct place on your keyboard using right hand finger numbers 1, 3 and 5.
Draw a treble staff and name the first two spaces ten times. Remember F in the first space then think up an alphabet skip. Don’t forget the musical alphabet ends at G, then starts all over again from A. Play these two keys in the correct place on your keyboard using right hand finger numbers 1 and 3.
Write the musical alphabet five times in one row.
This ends the lesson. I hope you have continued enjoying these lessons. Feel free to ask any questions; there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Don’t forget to submit the quiz. Next lesson will include using your 4th and 5th fingers.
