Piano Lessons for Absolute Beginners - Lesson 1

Introduction

• Series of ~30 piano lessons throughout 2017
• Aim: Learn piano from scratch and how to read sheet music
• Target audience: Absolute beginners and those with shaky reading skills
• Importance of reading music for flexibility and capability as a musician

Lesson 1 Overview

• Focus: Keyboard orientation and finger numbering
• Skip if you already know the notes and finger numbering

Understanding the Piano Keyboard

• 88 notes in total
• Directions:
  • 'Bottom' = lower notes
  • 'Top' = higher notes

Note Naming

• White notes: Named after letters A to G
• Repeating pattern for notes:
  • F: immediately left of the three black notes
  • C: immediately left of the two black notes
  • A: between three black notes with two to its left
• Learning white note names:
  • A, B, C, D, E, F, G sequence
  • Practice in different orders, e.g., starting from C
• Diagram available at www.billspianopages.com/beginners

Finger Numbering

• Right hand: Thumb = 1, Little finger = 5
• Left hand: Thumb = 1, Little finger = 5
• Numbering thumb as 1, thumb exception (sometimes referred to as 'thumb')
• Diagram for finger numbering available in PDF

Practice Levels - Learning Notes and Finger Numbers

• Level 1:
  • Think of a letter (A-G), play four notes using any right hand finger
  • Name the notes as you play them
  • Vary fingers and order
• Level 2:
  • Same as Level 1 but using the left hand
• Level 3:
  • Use fingers in order starting with thumb
  • Name both the finger and note
  • Practice across both hands
• Level 4:
  • Use one finger on each hand, play two notes at once
• Level 5:
  • Play runs of notes:
    • Start with thumb of right hand on a note, ascend to little finger, and back
    • Vice versa for left hand, starting on thumb
    • Aim for smooth and even play
    • Name fingers and notes alternately
• Practicing these levels helps build confidence and intuition

Importance of Regular Practice

• Best Practice Method: Little and often (e.g., 20 minutes a day)
• Helps build finger muscles, reduces risk of injury
• Quick practice sessions can be combined with brief note review during passing by the piano

Moving Forward

• Once confident with note names and finger numbers, proceed to lesson two
• Additional tutorials available for improvisation and fun
• Subscribe to the channel to catch all future lessons

Next Lesson

• Lesson 2: Introduction to written piano music