The piano holds a high spot in music history. It is a rich and versatile instrument. The fundamentals of piano playing are structural and simple; however, it can take years of intense study and practice to become a master. The piano will become less of a mystery to you when you understand the way the notes fit with each other and follow this up by practicing melodies and chords. When you have studied sufficiently to understand the mechanics of music, you will be able to compose on your own. This is a very impressive skill to have.
Here's What You'll Need
1. Seat yourself at your piano. Look at the entire keyboard, and you will notice that the keys lie in the following combinations: Black keys fall in a pattern of 2 and then 3 keys. White keys fall between these keys with 3 white keys for each set of 2 black keys and 4 white keys for each set of 3 black keys. Locate a cluster of 2 black keys and play the white key that immediately precedes it. The name of this note is "C". In all, there are eight C keys on a standard piano, although if the piano is smaller, or you are using a keyboard, there may be less.
2. Use your right hand for the center C note. The name of this key is "middle C." Go up and down the piano, locating all of the "C" notes on the white keys, and play each one. There are eight notes between two C keys, including the C keys themselves. The first is note C, followed by D, E, F, G, A, B and C again. Practice this pattern on each octave (C to C) on the keyboard. Listen carefully to familiarize yourself with the sounds produced. Practice often to gain proficiency. Learn the names of the white keys by heart, from beginning to end.
3. Use your little finger, middle finger and thumb of your left hand to play C, E & G simultaneously on the lower end of the keyboard. This is where the notes have a lower tone. Playing these 3 notes simultaneously produces a C major chord. Practice playing C major chords at all points on the keyboard. After you have become familiar with this, you can play other chords (3 note combinations). Here are some examples: A minor = A, C, E. G minor = G, B, D. F major = F, A, C. E minor = E, G, B. D minor = D, F, A.
4. On the upper end of the keyboard (where the notes have a higher tone) use your right thumb to play a C. At the same time, using your left hand on the lower end of the keyboard, play a C major chord. This consists of C, E & G. Allow these 4 notes to ring strong and clear. Now try playing the C repeatedly with your right thumb while shifting chords using your left hand (e.g. A minor, F major, etc.) When you switch chords, listen carefully to discern the variety of harmonies and tones that are created.
5. Now use your left hand to play one of the 6 chords with which you are familiar - C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor. Now you should play a succession of the 8 notes - C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - you know. Now improvise by using your left hand to play chords to your liking and your right hand to play notes to your liking. Imitate songs you enjoy and experiment with piecing together notes and chords that you like. There are many popular songs, such as Pachelbel's Canon, that have familiar chord combinations (C major, G major, A minor, E minor, F major, C major, F major, G major). You should learn these useful combinations. Play frequently and feel free to experiment as you practice so that you can truly enjoy the music you create.
Here's What You'll Need
1. Seat yourself at your piano. Look at the entire keyboard, and you will notice that the keys lie in the following combinations: Black keys fall in a pattern of 2 and then 3 keys. White keys fall between these keys with 3 white keys for each set of 2 black keys and 4 white keys for each set of 3 black keys. Locate a cluster of 2 black keys and play the white key that immediately precedes it. The name of this note is "C". In all, there are eight C keys on a standard piano, although if the piano is smaller, or you are using a keyboard, there may be less.
2. Use your right hand for the center C note. The name of this key is "middle C." Go up and down the piano, locating all of the "C" notes on the white keys, and play each one. There are eight notes between two C keys, including the C keys themselves. The first is note C, followed by D, E, F, G, A, B and C again. Practice this pattern on each octave (C to C) on the keyboard. Listen carefully to familiarize yourself with the sounds produced. Practice often to gain proficiency. Learn the names of the white keys by heart, from beginning to end.
3. Use your little finger, middle finger and thumb of your left hand to play C, E & G simultaneously on the lower end of the keyboard. This is where the notes have a lower tone. Playing these 3 notes simultaneously produces a C major chord. Practice playing C major chords at all points on the keyboard. After you have become familiar with this, you can play other chords (3 note combinations). Here are some examples: A minor = A, C, E. G minor = G, B, D. F major = F, A, C. E minor = E, G, B. D minor = D, F, A.
4. On the upper end of the keyboard (where the notes have a higher tone) use your right thumb to play a C. At the same time, using your left hand on the lower end of the keyboard, play a C major chord. This consists of C, E & G. Allow these 4 notes to ring strong and clear. Now try playing the C repeatedly with your right thumb while shifting chords using your left hand (e.g. A minor, F major, etc.) When you switch chords, listen carefully to discern the variety of harmonies and tones that are created.
5. Now use your left hand to play one of the 6 chords with which you are familiar - C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor. Now you should play a succession of the 8 notes - C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - you know. Now improvise by using your left hand to play chords to your liking and your right hand to play notes to your liking. Imitate songs you enjoy and experiment with piecing together notes and chords that you like. There are many popular songs, such as Pachelbel's Canon, that have familiar chord combinations (C major, G major, A minor, E minor, F major, C major, F major, G major). You should learn these useful combinations. Play frequently and feel free to experiment as you practice so that you can truly enjoy the music you create.
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