3 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. If you are serious about learning to play the piano, the first thing you will need to do is put those negative thoughts behind and start with an open mind. It does take time and yes, you have to learn the music notes, but it does not have to be boring, and it certainly does not have to take forever before you learn to play on your own.

Step 1: Get Familiar With the Notes

Music notes may seem strange now, but so did the letters of the alphabet when you first encountered them as a child. Your curiosity and the constant use of the written and spoken language around you have furnished your ability to read and not be scared of written words when you see them. The same will happen for music notes. They are the ABC of music, and with constant practice you will learn to sight read them just like you are sight reading this information now.

Step 2: Get Familiar With Piano Keys

The black keys are used to play what is known as sharp (#) and flat (b) notes and appear in groups of twos and threes. Look for the set of five black keys (1 group of 3 and one of 2) that are in the center of your piano. Middle C is the white key to the left of the two black keys in the middle of the piano. Place finger 1 (your right thumb) on Middle C. If you go up and down the entire length of the piano you will notice that the key to the immediate left of any set of two black keys is a C.

Step 3: Music Notes and Timing

Each note indicates how much count it should receive (how long you should down the key). Three notes are used in the music sheet but there are more (research those). Identify the notes one at a time then read below for the designated counts.

Whole note – Four beats (1 and -2 and – 3 and - 4 and).

Half note – Two beats (1 and 2 and).

Quarter note – One beat (1 and)