Introducing the Keyboard

Introduction to the Keyboard.

This is the keyboard

Three black notesTwo black

notes

The Keyboard is laid out in a pattern of groups of black notes: two then three then two then three etc.

Two black notes

The octave (8 Notes apart)

Three black notesTwo black notes

Two black notes

C

C

If you find the pair of black notes, the note on the left is always C. The distance between each C is 8 white notes.

8 n o t e s a p a r t

Finding other notes

CGF

Two black notes

Once you have found C, you can find other notes as well – there are 7 of them.

C

D EA B

First hand position

To begin with you will be given pieces to play that only use the notes C – G.

With your fingers slightly bent, rest your hand on the keyboard with your thumb on C and your little finger on G. Covers D E & F with the other fingers.

C

G

Another keyboard

This keyboard diagram starts on the note A (like most pianos)

You can print this off to put by your own keyboard.

C EA B F G A B C DD

Making progress

You will only get better if you PRACTICE regularly.

You should not MOVE ON from a lesson until you have mastered all the exercises and pieces.

You should regularly REVISE the pieces and exercises from previous lessons – go back to them before trying something new.

How to practice Play little and often – three 20 minutes sessions a

week are worth much more than an hour all at once Play very slowly until you know the music well Correct your mistakes, don’t just keep starting at the

beginning but get the tricky bit right first! Use the correct fingers all the time Learn each piece in small chunks – or bar by bar. Do play your latest piece to your family and friends.

Now you are ready for Green Lesson 1

Play the Keyboard

Green Level: Lesson 11

Learning Objectives

In this lesson you will: Learn to play three tunes Learn to play some simple exercises Learn about simple rhythm (note durations) Think about how you practice

Duration (length) of notes

This note lasts 1 beatThis note lasts 2 beats

4

4

Count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Clap or tap this rhythm

Clap this to your teacher before you move on

Get your fingers ready

Put your fingers on the keyboard like this.

Fingers bent and relaxed.

Thumb on C.

You are gong to play with your thumb (1), the index finger (2) and the middle finger (3).

Here’s how we number fingers:

Thumb is finger 1, little finger is 5

1 2 3 4 5

Finger exercise

Play these notes up and down lots of time.

Play slowly and evenly. Keep your hand relaxed.

Don’t play any notes at the same time, each note must sound on its own.

C D E D C D E D C

Th 2 3 2 Th 2 3 2 ThUse these fingers

Welsh LullabyWhat a lovely simple piece – but I’ve only included three note names – try to read the rest.

2 beats 2 beats 2 beats 2 beats

Count 1 2 3 4

C D E

You only need the first three fingers – see the previous page

Mary had a little lambThere are many tunes to this song. This one only uses three notes. Use the thumb and next two fingers only.

Mary had a little lamb, her father shot it dead.

Now it goes to school with her between to hunks of bread.

Well done!Green Level: Lesson 1You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play the last tune. Move on to Lesson 2.

Play the Keyboard

Green Level: Lesson 2

Learning Objectives

In this lesson you will: Learn to play tunes with all five fingers Strengthen and control your fingers Learn more about rhythm Think about how you practice

Duration (length) of notes

This note lasts 1 beat

These are 1/2 beats

Count 1 2 3 4 1 & 2 3 4

Clap or tap this rhythm

1 Crotchet (Quarter note)

2 Quavers (Eighth notes)

2 claps in one beat

Finger strength and controlPut your fingers on the keyboard like this. Fingers bent and relaxed. See Green 1

Play each note, one at time.

You should release each note before playing the next.

C D E F G F E D C

Try saying the name of each note as you play.

Do this five times before you play.

Here’s how we number fingers:

Thumb is finger 1, little finger is 5

1 2 3 4 5

Ode to Joy by BeethovenHere is a simple piece. Every note is a next door note – they “move by step”. Keep your fingers on the notes. The hardest note is G, why?

Hint: You will be a better keyboard player if you keep your fingers like this – don’t play with just one finger.

Theme from the New WorldUsing all five fingers – play this simple piece. Make sure you hold each note for its correct length.

Count 1 2 3 4

Keep your hand like this, don’t let your fingers move off their keys.

E G E D C D E G E D

D E D C

This semibreve lasts for 4 beats

Lightly RowStill use those five fingers in the same position.

Well done!Green Level: Lesson 2You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play the last tune. Move on to Lesson 3.

Play the Keyboard

Green Level: Lesson 3

Green 3

Learning Objectives

In this lesson you will: Learn to play tunes which use quavers Strengthen and control your five fingers Play a little faster Read notes without the letter names

Green 3

Finger Exercises

You need to exercise the muscles in your fingers to make them strong and flexible and your finger work independently.

Keep your hand like this, Thumb on C.

Don’t let your fingers move off their keys.

YOU MUST USE ALL FIVE FINGERS. C G

1 3 2 4 3 5 5 5 3 4 2 3 1 1

Green 3

Merrily we roll alongAnother five finger tune.

Remember, practice slowly – progress fast.

Green 3

German Folk Tune

Using all five fingers, thumb (1) on C and finger 5 on G

Green 3

Oh! When the Saints

This piece does not start on the first beat of the bar. It has an upbeat.

It uses quaver rests (half beat silences). Practice slowly.

Green 3

Well done!Green Level: Lesson 3You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play the last tune. It’s a good idea to go back and play all the tunes you have leaned so far.

Green 3

Play the Keyboard

Yellow Level: Lesson 1

Yellow 1

Learning Objectives

In the Yellow level you will: Learn more notes, from C up to E. Play with your hand in different positions Use your left and right hands Read notes without the letter names Play scales and exercises to help your

technique.

Yellow 1

Reading the Music

C E F G A B C DD E

Here are the positions of notes in the TREBLE CLEF.

The TREBLE CLEF means notes are played HIGHER THAN MIDDLE C

Print this sheet and put it by your keyboard if you need to

Middle C “Dangly D”

If you pick out the notes in the spaces, they spell:

F A C E

Top C Top D Top E

Yellow 1

London BridgeTry to read the notes from the music – I have left off most of the

notes names – go back to the previous page for help.

Hand Position: Start with your thumb on D instead of C

G

C

4 5Fingers to use

DE

G

1 5 3 1

1 2 32 3 4

Yellow 1

New Hand PositionsTo play the next song you will have to move your hand along the

keyboard during the piece.

Start with your Thumb on G and all your other fingers ready to play

Half way through you will put your 4th finger on the note Top E (Your thumb will now be on B)

G

D

GB

E

Yellow 1

Aura Lee

Move your hand to the second position

Play these E notes with finger 4

Read the previous page carefully before playing this piece. Your thumb should start on G. Look at the finger numbers above the music.

G C B C D A D C B A B C

1 4 3 4 5 2 5

E D C D E E E F E D A D C B E D C

4 3 2 3 4 4 4 5 4 3 1 3

You have to reach down with the thumb for A

4

Yellow 1

Well done!Yellow Level: Lesson 1You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play. You can progress to level 2

Yellow 1

Play the Keyboard

Yellow Lesson 2

Yellow 2

Learning objectives

In Yellow 2 you will: Practice reading notes from the treble clef Read some notes in the bass clef Use your left and right hands to play a tune Learn to play scales to help your technique.

Yellow 2

Scale of C majorHere is the scale of C Major for the Right Hand.

You must use the correct fingers to play the scale:

Start with thumb (1) on C, play three notes C, D, E

Then your thumb swings underneath to note F

play F G A B C with all the fingers of your hand.

Yellow 2

Th 2 3 Th 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 Th 3 2 Th

Thumb goes under

Finger 3 goes over

Reading the bass clef

The bass clef is for notes that are all BELOW MIDDLE C.

You normally play bass clef with your Left Hand

Middle C B GA

CBG A

Left hand thumb on Middle C.

A tune for both hands.

Right Hand

E

G

G G

Left Hand thumb

Put both your hands on the Keyboard. Right Hand thumb on Middle C. Left hand thumb on the G below that. You should be

able to read the notes of the treble clef.

Left Hand thumb G

Old MacDonaldHarder work for your left hand!

Start with your left hand thumb on C. Your right hand middle finger (3) on E. Keep both hands on the keyboard while playing.

G

Left Hand thumb

A

Right hand middle finger

34

2

G

A

E

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Yankee doodle went to London, riding on a pony.

Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni.

2 3

2 3 4

1 4 1 2 4

D E G E

D E F

Another piece to get your left hand working.

B G A B

C

Well done!Yellow Level: Lesson 2You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play.

Yellow 2

Play the Keyboard

Yellow Lesson 3

Yellow 3

Learning objectives

In Yellow 3 you will: Read note more confidently in bass and

treble clef Play tunes in your right hand while the left

hand plays simple accompaniments Learn another exercise to help your

technique.

Yellow 3

Scale of C majorYellow

3

5 (little) 4 3 2

Here is the scale of C Major for the Left Hand.

Start with left hand little finger (5) on C (use the C one octave below middle C)

Play C D E F G with all five fingers. Then your middle (3) swings over to the note A. Play A B C with 3,2 & Thumb.

Thumb 3 2 Thumb

C D E F G A C Middle C

Playing Chords Chords are made up of several notes played together.

Here is the CHORD of C, played with the left hand.

Play the notes C E G together (below middle C)

Yellow 3

More Chords

The Chords of F and G are played like thisLeft Hand: Play C F and A

Keep your little finger on C and stretch your fingers.

Left Hand: Play B D and G

Keep your thumb on G and stretch your fingers

Yellow 3

When the SaintsYellow

3

Well done!Yellow Level: Lesson 3You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play.

Yellow 3