Casio is the perfect keyboard instrument for beginners. In addition, the smaller and lighter models are suitable for traveling. While you may need to read the manual to use more complex features, such as the programmed lessons feature, using a Casio keyboard is actually quite easy. After using and understanding how to use it, you can practice the basic skills of playing music. Once you've cultivated a basic “capital,” you can start playing simple songs, such as the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Casio Keyboard Instruments
Step 1. Turn on the device and adjust the volume
The placement of the power button will depend on the model of the instrument being used. Usually, it's on the left or right side of the device, in one of the corners of the keyboard. The volume buttons or knobs usually have their own label and are located on the left or right side of the device.
- Many keyboard instruments are equipped with a small LED next to the power button. When the device is powered on, it will light up to indicate the power is on.
- If the instrument does not turn on, check the power cord. The instrument will not turn on if the cable is not plugged into the wall outlet or if it is too loosely attached.
- If the instrument is on battery power and will not turn on, you may need a new battery. Replace the old battery with a new battery and check if the instrument can be started this time.
Step 2. Select the type of sound you want to play if you want
On most keyboard instruments, the first default sound type selected (after the instrument is powered on) is the piano sound. However, electronic keyboards can usually produce a variety of different sounds. Use the pad or number pad which is usually on the right side of the device to change the type of sound produced when you press a key.
- Typically, the device comes with a directory of instruments displayed near the keys. This directory contains the names of instruments (eg organs, trumpets, etc.) and their numbers.
- If your device does not come with an instrument directory, look up the instrument numbers in the manual. If you lose your instrument manual, Casio offers an electronic manual that you can access on the internet for free.
Step 3. Read the manual to learn the features of the keyboard instrument
The features of the Casio keyboard will depend on the model. Older models usually have fewer features, but newer models may come with programmed piano lessons, an auto-chord feature, a metronome, and more.
- The programmed lesson feature often uses lights on the keys. These lights can change the color of the keys (more precisely, mark them with light) to indicate which keys should be pressed to play a song.
- The auto chord feature can condense a simple chord into a single note. This can be a fun way to learn simple chord structures.
Step 4. Record your playing to improve your music playing skills
You will focus on correct keystrokes/notes, hand positioning, etc., especially in the early days of learning. Going forward, you'll be fine-tuning a lot of finger positions and movements so it's hard to imagine the right mix of sounds without listening to your recorded performance.
- On most Casio keyboard instruments, the record button is red and labeled “Rec.” Usually, you only need to press the button once to start recording a performance and then press it again to stop the recording process.
- Recorder features will differ from model to model. The instrument you are using may come with storage space so that you can store some recorded performances that you should be proud of.
Method 2 of 3: Developing Basic Keyboard Skills
Step 1. Recognize the names of the keys on the keyboard
Keys are named after the musical note they represent. Musical notes use the letters A to G. Each white key is named after a letter, and the sequence of letters is repeated after every eight key sequences (octaves).
- If it moves towards a higher octave (right), the notes (white keys) that are after the G note are called A notes. However, the letter order pattern returns to normal after the A note (e.g. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, …) and vice versa when the octave is played downhill (to the left).
- One of the notes that can be found easily on keyboard instruments is C. Look for a black key group consisting of two keys (there may be several key groups like this on your device). The white key directly to the left of the black key group is (and always has been) the C key.
- The C key in the middle of the fingerboard is called the middle C key (middle C). A C key that is an octave above it is called a high C key (high C), and a C key that is an octave below it is called a low C key (low C). This pattern also applies to other keys/notes.
Step 2. Get to know fingering notation
As a beginner, you may not know what fingers to use to play notes. For this reason, fingering notation is often included in many simple sheet scores. The numbers displayed above the notes indicate which finger to use to press the keys, in the following notation:
- Number 1 represents the thumb.
- Number 2 represents the index finger.
- Number 3 represents the middle finger.
- Number 4 represents the ring finger.
- Number 5 represents the little finger.
Step 3. Sit in front of the instrument with good posture
This is no joke. The better your posture, the better your music will be. Good posture allows you to use your full body when playing an instrument so you can produce a richer, richer sound.
- Straighten and align your back and neck. This posture helps you when you have to bend over if you place a mirror on one side of the instrument.
- Sit in a position high enough for your elbows and arms to "hang" freely from your shoulders, and your forearms parallel to the floor.
- Adjust your sitting distance with the instrument so that your elbows are slightly in front of your body when you play the instrument.
Step 4. Keep your hands relaxed and press the keys gently
When placing your fingers on the keys, raise your wrists so that they are parallel to your hands and do not feel stiff. Make sure the shape of the finger is slightly bent. Press the keys in a gentle, flexible motion, as when a cat bends its body.
- Some keyboard instruments will not make a sound at a different volume when you press the keys gently or hard. This volume change feature is commonly referred to as a key mechanism feature (“key action” or “weighted keys”).
- Even if your device is not equipped with these features or mechanisms, you should still practice proper keystrokes. With this exercise, you can still produce beautiful music when using a keyboard instrument that features weighted keys.
Step 5. Read the musical notes on the piano score
Music for fingerboard instruments is usually represented by two sets of five lines each. The top row indicates the notes to be played by the right hand, while the bottom row indicates the notes to be played by the left hand. Each line and space on the line represents the notes to be played.
- In musical scores for beginners, at the far left of the top row is a symbol that looks like an “&” sign. This symbol is known as the treble clef. Meanwhile, the bottom row is usually marked by an inverted "C" shaped symbol and is known as the bass clef.
- In a treble row, the five lines that make up the row represent the notes E, G, B, D, and F (counting from bottom to top). Meanwhile, each space between the lines represents the notes F, A, C, and E (counting from bottom to top).
- On the bass line, the five lines that make up the line represent the notes G, B, D, F, and A (starting from the bottom up). Meanwhile, each space between the lines represents the notes A, C, E, and G (starting from the bottom up).
Step 6. Play an octave scale with your right hand
This is the time for you to use all the basic skills that have been developed and perform a song. Octave refers to a series of eight notes on the fingerboard, and you must play those notes to the right on the fingerboard (known as the octave up direction). Usually the middle C key can be the right middle note to start playing octaves:
- Extend your fingers so that each finger is on one key, with your thumb resting on the middle C key.
- Press the keys gently. When you take one key off the key, play the next white key.
- When you reach the third note (E), slide your thumb down to play the white key (F note).
- Keep playing the octave up and pressing all the keys until your little finger reaches and presses the top C key (high C).
- Play an octave down from the top C key. When your thumb reaches the F key, cross your middle finger over your hand to press the next white key (E note).
- End the scale on the middle C key.
Step 7. Continue right-handed practice or octave playing with your left
For this scale, you need to start on a lower key. Look for the low C key, which is exactly one octave below the middle C key. Remember that you can easily find C notes on the fingerboard by looking for groups of two black keys. To play a scale with your left hand:
- Position one finger for one key, with the little finger of the left hand on the low C key.
- Play an octave up by pressing each key one at a time until you hit the G key with your thumb.
- Cross your middle finger over your hand to play the next white key (A note).
- End the scale with your thumb (on the middle C key), then play an octave down by pressing the keys one at a time.
- When you reach your third finger (the A key), slide your thumb under your hand to play the white key that follows (the G key).
- Continue the octave down until you finish the octave with your little finger (on a low C key).
Method 3 of 3: Playing the Song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Step 1. Position your hands on the low C key and the high C key
For the left hand, place your little finger on the low C key. Meanwhile, for the right hand, place your thumb on the middle C key. Each finger on both hands must be positioned on each white key. The five fingers of the left hand will play the low C, D, E, F, and G keys, while the five fingers of the right hand will later play the middle C, D, E, F, and G keys.
- Although the movement of both hands in this song is the same, the alignment can be difficult. Usually, singing can help you get into the rhythm of the song.
- At first, you may find it difficult to play the keys with both hands. Even talented pianists practice playing difficult pieces by playing them separately (one hand first) if necessary.
Step 2. Play the first line of the song
Each syllable of the song is represented by a note that will be played using one finger on both hands. In the following pattern, the slash symbol (/) represents the syllable separator. This means, the first line of song lyrics can be broken down into: twin / kle / twin / kle / lit / tle / star. The notes that both hands must play are: C / C / G / G / A / A / G.
- Right hand fingering pattern: 1 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 (You must spread your fingers so that your little finger can press the A key).
- Left hand fingering pattern: 5 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 (You must spread your fingers so that your thumb can press the A key).
Step 3. Continue the first row with the second row
This line can be broken down into: How / I / Won / der / what / you / are. The notes that both hands must play are: F / F / E / E / D / D / C.
- Right hand fingering pattern: 4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 1
- Left hand fingering pattern: 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 5
Step 4. Play the last line of the song
You almost finished this song! So far, you've done well. The last line can be broken down into: up / a / bove / the / world / so / high. The notes that both hands must play are: G / G / F / F / E / E / D.
- Right hand fingering pattern: 5/5/4/4/3/3/2
- Left hand finger pattern: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4
Step 5. Repeat the last row
Although the lyrics are different, this line is played with the same notes and fingering pattern as the previous line. This line can be broken down into: like /a/dia/mond/in/the/sky.
Step 6. End the song by playing the first line, followed by the second line
Since the song begins and ends with the same two lines, the last two lines of the song are played with the same notes and fingering patterns. Practice this song until you can play it perfectly.
Tips
- Memorize the notes for each line on the bass line (from bottom to top) with the following phrase: Gugun Botak Doyan Fanta Apples. For space, you can memorize notes with the following phrase: Beautiful Child is Gesin.
- Memorize the notes for each line in the treble line (from top to bottom) with the following phrase: Emilia is a Good Girl Crazy by Her Fans. For spaces, you can memorize notes easily because the notes for each space (from top to bottom) form the word “FACE”.
- Search and watch YouTube videos that feature easy, hands-on tutorials to learn and practice your musical skills.
