After knowing that you can really play the piano without going to a music school, you must consider though to still learn the basics.
Of course, it would be good to get some online courses from Udemy or enroll in any music school like Yamaha to learn the foundation and technic but self-learning is really possible.
Here are some commonly used terms essential to be familiar with:
White keys:
They represent the seven notes C-D-E-F-G-A-B.
Black keys:
The black keys are used to identify the sharp note (with a symbol of ‘#’) or flat note (with a symbol of ‘b’).
Illustrations of keys and their corresponding notes
You will see in below photo the location of the middle C based on the number keys of your piano. Also, it is always a white key before two black keys.
Sharp (#):
These are the black keys to the right of white keys (a half note higher than the white keys). For example, the black key next to the C note (white key) is called C-sharp with a symbol of C#.
Flat (b):
These are the black keys to the left of white keys (a half note lower than the white keys). For example, the black key next to the D note (white key) is called D-flat with a symbol of Db.
Please note that the black keys are located in between two white keys wherein it has two names. For example, the black key to the right of C is called C-sharp (C#) and it is also called D-flat (Db). The black key to the right of G is called G-sharp (G#) or A-flat (Ab).
There are no higher half notes for keys E and B (There is no black keys next to them). Similarly, the keys F and C have no lower half notes (There are no black keys before the white keys).
Octave:
It is about series of eight. Do not be confused because we use octave in two different ways – scale or interval.
The scale is an order of collection of notes. The series A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A and C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C are both octave in nature.
The interval is about the musical distance between two same notes. For example, if we have a scale of C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C, the interval between C-1 (first C note) and C-2 (second C note) is also an octave.
Sustain pedal:
The Sustain pedal is the common pedal used in the piano. The sustain pedal is located at the right if you have a three-pedal piano or keyboard but if you only have one pedal, that is most likely your sustain pedal.
The sustain pedal is used to keep the note or chord sounding while your hands move to the next note or chord. This will allow you to fill the gaps between your note or chord transition.
Tips
You may lift the pedal up when you are pressing a new note(s) or chord and push the pedal down again after pressing the new note(s) or chord.
It is confusing in the beginning as you may possibly push the pedal down as you press the chord down but that is fine. You will get the right timing if you continuously practice.
Some people inclined to playing sports, saving/investing, or even writing or blogging however, most people listened to music.
Some people can play piano and some cannot because they find it difficult. In my next blog, you will know the secrets and tricks on how to learn the piano.
Keep practicing and learning and don’t forget to enjoy.
