For people who have never tried to make music on a keyboard or a piano, or do not even have the ability to read music, the idea of playing a popular song might appear impossible. But, by learning from the very beginning and building on each skill you learn by practicing on a regular basis, everyone has the ability to become an accomplished keyboard player. All you need to do is be patient and don't worry if you're not sounding like a professional after only a few lessons.
To start with, you must be able to identify the notes each key on a keyboard represents.
The first note you must recognize on the keyboard is middle C. After you know which key represents middle C, all other notes will fall into place fairly easily. Middle C will be in a different location depending on how many keys your keyboard has.
If your keyboard has either 61 or 76 keys, middle C will be the white key right before the 3rd black 2-key set from the left. If your keyboard has 88 keys, middle C will be the white key just before the 4th black 2-key set from the left.
On electronic keyboards, all keys are arranged by octaves, and all octaves start with C. If your keyboard has 61 keys, it will also have five octaves with 12 keys each. In any given octave, the black keys come in sets of either two or three, and all other keys are white. The notes that are contained in an octave are:
C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B
The # indicates that the note is sharp, and will be played by a black key. If there is no # next to the note, then it is played by a white key.
Once you recognize the notes, you can attempt a scale. A C scale is fairly simple because you play it using just white notes. Begin with middle C and depress the following 8 white keys, then reverse and return back to middle C using the same white keys. So this translates to C,D,E,F,G,A,B, and on the way back: B,A,G,F,E,D,C.
To start, we'll learn to play the first five keys. Using your right hand, put your thumb on middle C and hover the rest of your fingers over the next four white keys, which would be D,E,F, and G. Then, depress each key, one after the other, beginning with your thumb on middle C. After you press five keys, return to middle C in reverse order.
Very good. However, you might wonder how you're going to play the other notes in the scale with no other fingers available. Some of your fingers will have to play more than one note. There is a proper method of doing this that you can grasp fairly easily. Learning the technique now will save time later as you learn to play actual songs. Here's the correct method:
Put your hand in the same position as indicated above. Once you sound the initial 3 tones (C,D, and E), take your thumb and cross it under your fingers and place it on the following white key (F). Then, cross your fingers over your thumb and your fingers should then hover above the following four white keys. Sound F using your thumb, then the following four keys (G,A,B, and C). After you get to C, go back down the scale (B,A,G,F). Take your middle finger and cross it over your hand to get to E. Sound the final two keys, D with your index finger, and C with your thumb. Practice this technique until you are able to complete it flawlessly.
Of course, this is only a start, learning to play the electronic keyboard will require many more methods and techniques than illustrated here, but acquiring the ability to read music is an important skill you should think about learning next. A number of great instructors are available if you want one to show you how to do it, and to keep you on track. Or, if you learn better on your own, you can access a multitude of Internet-based lessons that can allow you to go at the speed that's right for you.
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