If you're just learning how to play a keyboard instrument, whether it's a MIDI controller, organ, or an 88-key grand piano, learning the notes on the keyboard is an important first step. This article will help you figure out how the keys on the keyboard are located, what notes are, and start your music career. Read on!
Step
Method 1 of 2: All Kinds of Keyboards
Step 1. Notice the repeating pattern of the keys on the piano
Find the note “C” on your keyboard, as shown below. This is the first note of the C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and back to C.
- Notice the pattern of the white keys: three white keys with 2 black keys in between, and four white keys with 3 black keys in between.
- You can also look at it like this: black keys have a repeating 5-key pattern and consist of 2 black keys separated by 1 white key, then 2 white keys, then 3 black keys separated by 1 white key, then 2 white keys.
- This pattern is the same on all keyboards. Each note on the keyboard is represented by these 12 octave keys - only differing in high and low.
Step 2. Identify the black keys
See the picture below, recognize and learn the black keys on the keyboard.
- Know that each black key has 2 possible names. For example, there are sharp C (C♯) and D mol (D♭). The name for this note depends on what chord you are playing. Here are some names for black keys:
- The first black key is called C♯ or D♭
- The second black key is called D♯ or E♭
- The third black key is called F♯ or G♭
- The fourth black key is called G♯ or A♭
- The fifth black key is called A♯ or B♭
- Note that the names of the black keys are related to their location from the white keys. Whether it's on the right side of the white keys (kres) or on the left of the white keys (mole).
Step 3. Find the octave of the note
Use the image above to help you.
- Start by looking for middle C. This note is in octave 4, and is marked in red in the image above.
- Move up or down to reach that note, raising or lowering the octave you play.
Step 4. Learn the characteristics of the note
Studying the notes written in a book can also help you understand the relationships between notes.
- Here's an image showing how the notes on white keys are described in musical theory, starting from C4 (the C being in the 4th octave).
- Here is a picture showing the notes on the black keys depicted in musical theory, starting from C♯4. On the top line, notes are written in sharps. On the bottom line the notes are written in moles. Even though it's different, it's still the same tone.
Method 2 of 2: Keyboard and Piano with 88 keys
Step 1. Start with the first key from the left
This is the lowest note that can be played and is written as A0 (A in the 0th octave).
Step 2. Move up (to the right) by pressing only the white keys
The keys you play will be as follows:
- The first key (leftmost or lowest key) is: A0
- The second key is: B0
- The third key is: C1
Step 3. Follow the same pattern
Continue pressing the next white key, starting with the third white key from the far left:
- The third key is: C1
- The fourth key is: D1
- The fifth key is: E1
- The sixth key is F1
- The seventh key is: G1
- The eighth key is: A1
- The ninth key is: B1
- The tenth key is: C2
- Notice, if you have reached B1, the same pattern will repeat until the next octave: C2. This pattern continues on the keyboard: C2 to C3, C3 to C4, and so on.
Step 4. Learn the black keys
Starting from the lowest black key on the keyboard, located on the far left. The very first black key is A♯0 or B♭0.
Symbol read crisp, and the symbol is read mole.
Step 5. Moving up (to the right), you will find a collection of 5 black keys after the first black key:
- The second black key is C♯1 or D♭1.
- The third black key is D♯1 or E♭1.
- The fourth black key is F♯1 or G♭1.
- The fifth black key is G♯1 or A♭1.
- The sixth black key is A♯1 or B♭1.
- Just like white keys, black keys also have the same pattern on the keyboard and repeat.
Tips
- Memorize all the black and white keys for an octave -- C to C. Once you've memorized it, the next octave has the same key pattern on the keyboard. Even if your keyboard has 2 octaves or 8 octaves.
- When you want to start learning the piano, take the time to practice correct hand position. Also practice proper posture when playing the piano as this is an important basic technique. It will be even more difficult to fix bad habits!
