INTRODUCTION TO PIANO
NAME OF THE KEYS AND TYPES OF KEYS
THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF
KEYS ON THE
KEYBOARD WHITE AND
BLACK KEYS, WHITE
KEYS ARE CALLED
NATURAL NOTES WHILE
BLACK KEYS ARE
CALLED SHARPS/FLATS.
Meaning & symbols of sharps/flats and natural keys:-
Sharps (♯), flats (♭), and naturals (♮) are musical symbols used to
indicate changes to the pitch of a note on the piano. Here's what
they mean:
1. Sharp (♯):
Meaning: A sharp raises the pitch of a note by a half step (one
key higher on the piano).
Symbol: ♯
Example:
o If a note is C♯, it is the black key immediately to the right of
C.
o If the note is F♯, it is the black key immediately to the right
of F.
Visual Representation on Piano: Usually played on the black
keys, although it can also be a white key (e.g., E♯ is F).
2. Flat (♭):
Meaning: A flat lowers the pitch of a note by a half step (one
key lower on the piano).
Symbol: ♭
Example:
o If a note is B♭, it is the black key immediately to the left of
B.
o If the note is A♭, it is the black key immediately to the left of
A.
Visual Representation on Piano: Usually played on the black
keys, though some flats correspond to white keys (e.g., C♭ is B).
3. Natural (♮):
Meaning: A natural cancels any previous sharp or flat applied to
a note, returning it to its "natural" state (its original white key
pitch).
Symbol: ♮
Example:
o If you see C♮ after a C♯, play the C (white key) instead of the
C♯.
Visual Representation on Piano: Always corresponds to the
white keys.
Practical Guide for Piano:
Sharps and Flats on Black Keys:
o Each black key can have two names:
C♯ is the same as D♭
D♯ is the same as E♭, and so on.
Naturals on White Keys:
o The white keys (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) are naturally occurring
notes. Adding a ♯ or ♭ modifies them.
Example on the Piano:
C (white key) → C♯ (black key) → D (white key)
B (white key) → B♭ (black key) → A (white key)
THE TWO TYPES OF STEPS IN PIANO
The two types of steps in piano are half steps and whole steps:
Half step: The distance between one note and the next, whether black or white
Whole step: The distance between one note and two notes away, whether
black or white
FINGER NUMBERS:-
Easy Beginner Piano Hand Exercises:
Here are some simple hand exercises for beginners to develop
finger strength, coordination, and familiarity with piano keys.
1. Five-Finger Scale Exercise
Purpose: Strengthens all fingers, introduces hand positioning.
Notes:
o Right Hand: C - D - E - F - G (Ascending) and G - F - E - D - C
(Descending)
o Left Hand: C - B - A - G - F (Ascending) and F - G - A - B - C
(Descending)
Finger Numbers:
o Right Hand: 1 (thumb) - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 (pinky)
o Left Hand: 5 (pinky) - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 (thumb)
2. C Major Chord Pattern
Purpose: Helps practice holding and releasing multiple notes.
Notes:
o Play the C Major chord (C - E - G) with the right hand and
left hand alternately.
Finger Numbers:
o Right Hand: 1 (thumb) - 3 - 5
o Left Hand: 5 (pinky) - 3 - 1
