{"id":3698,"date":"2021-06-11T14:22:22","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T21:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=3698"},"modified":"2024-02-09T09:25:18","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T17:25:18","slug":"how-to-play-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Play Piano &#8211; The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Want to learn how to play the piano? You\u2019ve come to the right place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With 88 keys, a rich history, and many associated celebrities, the piano can be an intimidating instrument. But it\u2019s also an accessible one. <em>Anyone<\/em> can learn the piano at any age and have hours of fun on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This comprehensive series will take you from never touching the piano to playing your first chords and first song. You\u2019ll also learn fundamental skills, good habits, and some shopping tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Getting Started<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 1: Before You Start<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#1-1\">1.1 Why Learn How to Play the Piano? (5 Reasons)<\/a><br><a href=\"#1-2\">1.2 What to Expect: Time, Cost, etc.<\/a><br><a href=\"#1-3\">1.3 Learning Piano as an Adult<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 2: Shopping Guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#2-1\">2.1 Buying Your First Piano or Keyboard<\/a><br><a href=\"#2-2\">2.2 Piano Accessories and Maintenance<\/a><br><a href=\"#2-3\">2.3 Learning Methods<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Mastering the Fundamentals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 3: Take a Seat!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#3-1\">3.1 Good Piano Posture<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 4: Basic Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#4-1\">4.1 Navigating the Keyboard and The Musical Alphabet<\/a><br><a href=\"#4-2\">4.2 The Five Finger Scale<\/a><br><a href=\"#4-3\">4.3 Your First Chords<\/a><br><a href=\"#4-4\">4.4 Playing with Both Hands<\/a><br><a href=\"#4-5\">4.5 Playing Scales with Both Hands<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Music Theory<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 5: The Grand Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#5-1\">5.1 How to Read Music<\/a><br><a href=\"#5-2\">5.2 Music Symbols<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 6: More About Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#6-1\">6.1 How Chords Work<\/a><br><a href=\"#6-2\">6.2 How to Use Chord Charts<\/a><br><a href=\"#6-3\">6.3 How to Use Lead Sheets<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 7: Your First Songs!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#7-1\">7.1 Easy Piano Songs to Learn First<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Next Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 8: Exploring Genres<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#8-1\">8.1 Jazz Piano<\/a><br><a href=\"#8-2\">8.2 Worship Piano<\/a><br><a href=\"#8-3\">8.3 Classical Piano<\/a><br><a href=\"#8-4\">8.4 Pop Piano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chapter 9: FAQ and Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#9-1\">9.1 Free Online Resources<\/a><br><a href=\"#9-2\">9.2 Pianist Communities<\/a><br><a href=\"#9-3\">9.3 FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Get exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading full-width has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>PART 1: GETTING STARTED<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large full-width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14111109\/how-to-play-piano-header-1-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Angled image of grand piano.\" class=\"wp-image-15371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14111109\/how-to-play-piano-header-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14111109\/how-to-play-piano-header-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14111109\/how-to-play-piano-header-1-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14111109\/how-to-play-piano-header-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"ch1\">Chapter 1: Before You Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>1.1 Why Learn How to Play the Piano? (5 Reasons)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re reading this article, you\u2019re probably already excited to learn how to play piano! But in case you\u2019re not convinced yet, this section is for you \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We think the piano is the best musical instrument to learn. Of course, we\u2019re biased as pianists, but there are compelling reasons to pick up piano as your first musical instrument:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#1: You can make amazing sounds from day 1<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some instruments, like the violin or the trumpet, take skill just to make a decent sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But piano is rewarding from day 1 because you don\u2019t have to \u201cmake\u201d the sound yourself. All you have to do is press a key that\u2019s attached to a hammer that hits a string to create a perfectly clear note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people can figure out a simple melody on a keyboard by playing around. Of course, there\u2019s more to playing piano than eking out \u201cTwinkle, Twinkle Little Star,\u201d but at least you won\u2019t be squeaking through your first few lessons!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#2: You learn both melody and harmony, treble clef and bass clef<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A neat thing pianists can do is play both melody and harmony. Most instruments can\u2019t do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a pianist, you\u2019ll gain a deeper understanding of both melody <em>and <\/em>harmony \u2014 that is, both the foreground and background of music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowledge of both treble and bass clef also helps. Many instruments only use the treble clef, but if you decide to pick up the tuba later on, that bass clef knowledge will come in handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#3: You are an independent music-making machine \u2014 but you can also have fun with other people<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since pianos handle both melody and harmony, you don\u2019t require someone to accompany you. Other instruments, such as the violin or guitar, require bands, backing tracks, or an accompanying pianist to sound \u201ccomplete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But pianists aren\u2019t doomed to be alone! Pianos are a pillar instrument in many ensembles, from jazz bands to church <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/easy-worship-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">worship<\/a> teams. If you play piano, we encourage you to jam with other musicians. It\u2019s a wonderful experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#4: Pianos can play practically every musical genre possible<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it\u2019s classical, jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, rock, pop, or experimental avant-garde stuff, the piano can handle them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the skills required for different genres can be very different. But you don\u2019t need a whole different instrument (such as going from steel-string to nylon-string guitar) to learn a new genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#5: Piano knowledge lets you pick up other musical instruments with ease<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Because piano requires fine motor skills, knowledge of both treble and bass clefs, and good musicality, when you learn piano, you gain transferable skills for other instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since learning piano, I\u2019ve learned flute, electric and acoustic guitar, electric bass, and a few basic drum patterns. I believe these instruments were definitely easier to learn because I had piano skills as a foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/lisa%20instant%20pianist.jpg\" alt=\"Bird's eye view at an angle of Lisa playing on studio piano.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Are there any disadvantages to learning piano?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a legitimate question. After all, no musical instrument is perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can think of two potential things pianists have to watch out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ear training. <\/strong>Violinists and guitarists have to tune their instruments before every practice session, which trains their ear. Pianos don\u2019t require daily tuning, so pianists may lose out on built-in ear development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Isolation. <\/strong>Pianists can feel isolated because the piano is such a self-sufficient instrument.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These aren\u2019t unfixable problems, though. To develop a good ear, actively listen to lots of music, gain a deep understanding of chords and harmony, and learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-by-ear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">play by ear<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also encourage you to find a community with other pianists and musicians. Community is something we\u2019re very passionate about at Pianote, which is why we\u2019ve created an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/inside-pianote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online space<\/a> for students to gather, discuss, and troubleshoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/benefits-of-learning-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">14 Benefits of Playing Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/yvette-young-piano-podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano, Guitar, and Healing With Yvette Young<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>1.2 What to Expect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing piano isn\u2019t cheap. And it does take up time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We want you to be prepared and know what to expect. In this section, we\u2019ll go over the cost of making piano a part of your life, as well as the time commitment involved in becoming a competent pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How much will playing piano cost?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The core costs of learning piano include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your piano or keyboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lessons and books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintenance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your instrument will likely be your biggest cost, but there are <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/DVLLJq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">plenty of options<\/a>. Some pianos cost as much as a luxury car while entry-level keyboards can cost just a few hundred dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may also be able to grab a piano for free or very low-cost if you buy used!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Piano instructors can cost anywhere from $20 to $100+ per hour, and you should factor in transportation too. However, online piano lessons (like the Pianote Method) can be significantly cheaper. We\u2019ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online vs. &#8220;in real life&#8221; lessons in the <a href=\"#2-3\">Shopping Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike other instruments with amplifiers and moving parts, accessories for the piano are mostly optional. But you\u2019ll likely need a <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/zagKq0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">metronome<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=books+for+playing+piano&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=d809b349916dc739845e0df4d6537d51&amp;tag=pianotemediai-20&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a few books<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/gbooQv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">music stand<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/QOP9za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">pedal<\/a> (if your piano doesn\u2019t have those), and some hardware and software if you want to record yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you buy an <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/DVLLJq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">acoustic piano<\/a>, you\u2019ll have to hire someone to tune it once in a while. But <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/O6MMr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">electric keyboards<\/a> don\u2019t need a lot of maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How much do I need to practice?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve probably heard stories of professional pianists practicing an insane amount of hours from a very young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The piano has a long history, and the caliber for performers today is very high. If you plan to become a professional pianist, expect to practice <em>a lot.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But you don\u2019t need to practice eight hours a day to jam with a band, lead your church worship team, or even teach beginners. If you just want to play your favorite songs and have fun, practicing 15 minutes a day will allow you to progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, in general, the more you practice, the faster you\u2019ll improve. But practicing is less about putting in the hours and more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/ultimate-practice-routine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">honing the right skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The awesome thing about piano is that you don\u2019t need to be a top-level performer to reap incredible rewards. Pop songs can be as easy or difficult as you want them (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-tiny-dancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5 Levels of Tiny Dancer<\/a> for an example of this!). And even classical icons like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/easy-classical-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d<\/a> are considered intermediate pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/is-piano-hard-to-learn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Is Piano Hard to Learn?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/cost-of-piano-lessons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Cost of Piano Lessons, Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-piano-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Long Does It Take to Learn Piano? We Asked 1000+ Pianists<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>1.3 Learning Piano as an Adult<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you too old to learn the piano? Nope! If you\u2019re an adult beginner, you may actually have several advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adults tend to be purpose-driven. <\/strong>Whether it\u2019s a song or a skill, <em>you\u2019re<\/em> in charge of what you want to learn \u2014 not your parents or teachers! And when you\u2019re in charge, you\u2019re more motivated to take initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adults understand hard work. <\/strong>After a lifetime\u2019s experience with responsibilities (school, work, childcare, etc.), you understand what it takes to learn something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adults can manage their time. <\/strong>While adults are busy people, they also have initiative, which makes them perfect for self-paced learning. It only takes 15 minutes a day of practicing to see results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adults already know music.<\/strong> Unless you never listen to music ever, chances are you\u2019ve had more exposure to music than most children. If you know how to keep a beat and sing a melody, you\u2019re well on your way to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For an encouraging discussion on learning piano as an adult, watch this video where Lisa shares some exercises you can get started on <em>right away <\/em>to kickstart your learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Learn Piano As An Adult! \ud83d\udd1e\ud83c\udfb9\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EH3oHMUQ3O0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Article:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/learn-piano-as-an-adult\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learning Piano As an Adult<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 2: Shopping Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>2.1 Buying Your First Piano or Keyboard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134254\/keyboards-red-studio-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Digital pianos and keyboards in a red lit studio.\" class=\"wp-image-15373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134254\/keyboards-red-studio-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134254\/keyboards-red-studio-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134254\/keyboards-red-studio-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134254\/keyboards-red-studio.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying your first piano or keyboard can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.&nbsp;Here are a few things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is your budget? <\/strong>The price range for pianos and keyboards is huge. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=pianos+and+keyboards&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_2&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=pianotemediai-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=f061170ce2f78ccc6a3a65a126b2971d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">There are keyboards going for less than $150 on Amazon<\/a>. Meanwhile, concert grands can net six digits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How much space do you have?<\/strong> Measure the area you intend to fit your piano in and bring your measurements to a store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who do you live with? <\/strong>If you live with roommates, family, or in an apartment building, you may want to choose a piano you can use <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/mgnnJy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">headphones<\/a> with. Many acoustic pianos also come with a quiet practice pedal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Acoustic, digital, or hybrid?<\/strong> The sound quality of an acoustic piano is unparalleled, but digital pianos and keyboards are way more affordable and often come with useful features. A <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/qnggLq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">hybrid piano <\/a>has elements of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rent or buy? <\/strong>If you\u2019re uncertain about committing to the piano, you may want to rent one first. You may also be able to find affordable, high-quality second-hand pianos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Features to Look For<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are so many products available \u2014 how do you know what features to prioritize? We have the following recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim to get 88 keys. <\/strong>This is the standard number of keys on a piano, so you won\u2019t run out of notes. If you can\u2019t get<a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/QOKKv9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\"> 88 keys<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/rnggqd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">get at least 61.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Look for touch-sensitive weighted keys. <\/strong>This means the piano can be played loud or soft depending on how much pressure you put on it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try before you buy! <\/strong>If possible, play a piano before you buy it. See how the keys respond to you playing them hard (loud) or softly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re still stuck, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/Pianote\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/Pianote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lisa&#8217;s gear recommendations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Buy a Piano: The Ultimate Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/best-beginner-keyboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What\u2019s the best beginner keyboard? Digital Piano Reviews (2023)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keyboard vs. Piano: What\u2019s the difference?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-brands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Most Popular Piano Brands<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>2.2 Piano Accessories and Maintenance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pianos are pretty self-contained. But you may have a more rewarding experience if you invest in a few accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Piano bench. <\/strong>Unless you plan to use your piano like a standing desk, having something to sit on is a must. While any old chair will work in a bind, a specialized piano bench gives you plenty of space to maneuver your body. Many<a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/YgDAoe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\"> piano benches are height-adjustable and offer storage<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pedal.<\/strong> If your keyboard doesn&#8217;t come with a pedal, we <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/QOP9za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">highly recommend you invest in one.<\/a> Pedaling makes a big difference and can even help you sound better when you&#8217;re first learning a song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Metronome.<\/strong> If you want to bring your playing to the next level, expect to <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/zagKq0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">practice with a metronome<\/a>. You can buy a stand-alone metronome, download an app, or even search Google for &#8220;metronome&#8221; and use their free tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134543\/singeo-metronome-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Triangular metronome on side table next to sixteenth note sculpture in front of white keyboard in purple lit studio.\" class=\"wp-image-15374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134543\/singeo-metronome-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134543\/singeo-metronome-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134543\/singeo-metronome-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14134543\/singeo-metronome.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Music stand.<\/strong> Most pianos come with a built-in stand. If yours doesn&#8217;t, <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/gbooQv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">invest in a hardy stand<\/a> that can hold up sheet music, books, metronomes, and stationery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recording equipment. <\/strong>Recording and then hearing yourself play can make a big difference in improving your technique. Many keyboards come with built-in recording capability. Otherwise, you may want to invest in a <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/Zdrrv0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">microphone<\/a> and some <a href=\"https:\/\/imp.i114863.net\/oennve\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tuning. <\/strong>Acoustic pianos need to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianobuyer.com\/article\/caring-for-your-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tuned<\/a> by a professional and this will cost between $100 and $200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-piano-pedals-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Piano Pedals Work<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-piano-tuner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Interview With a Professional Piano Tuner<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>2.3 Learning Methods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13134538\/pianote-on-ipad-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Over the shoulder shot of person with long hair playing blue keyboard with iPad showing online lesson on music stand.\" class=\"wp-image-14615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13134538\/pianote-on-ipad-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13134538\/pianote-on-ipad-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13134538\/pianote-on-ipad-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13134538\/pianote-on-ipad.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than your piano, this is probably your most important investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not too long ago, the only way to learn piano was to visit a teacher once a week. Today, thanks to the Internet and new technologies, we have many more options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at the pros and cons of three major ways of learning: in-person lessons, app learning, and online learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>In-Person Lessons<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pros<\/th><th>Cons<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>One-on-one personal attention<\/li><li>Live feedback<\/li><li>No additional technology required<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Higher cost<\/li><li>Lack of flexibility<\/li><li>Can be challenging to find a teacher with similar interests<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>App Learning<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pros<\/th><th>Cons<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Can be very fun<\/li><li>Gamified experience is motivating<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>May require additional equipment (ie. USB connection)<\/li><li>Gamified experience may simplify playing, neglecting certain skills<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Online Lessons<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pros<\/th><th>Cons<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Flexible\u2014learn whenever\/wherever you want!<\/li><li>Affordable<\/li><li>Usually, no additional equipment required other than device<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>No instant feedback on technique<\/li><li>Questions can take a while to get an answer<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, we at Pianote are biased towards the Pianote online learning method. But we wouldn&#8217;t be here if we didn&#8217;t believe in our method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pianote learning experience was crafted as a &#8220;best of both worlds&#8221; solution. Here&#8217;s a comparison between traditional lessons and Pianote to give you an idea of what we offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>TRADITIONAL LESSONS<\/th><th>PIANOTE<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>In-person, personalized attention<\/td><td>Personal attention through Student Focus and contacting instructors<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Can add up to $1700+ per year<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Starting at $200\/year<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weekly lessons (you won\u2019t see your teacher every day)<\/td><td>Learn as often as you like, whenever you like<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No built-in community<\/td><td>Immediately be welcomed into the Pianote student community!<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Unlikely to offer extended free trial<\/td><td>90-day money-back guarantee<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May be against local Covid-19 restrictions<\/td><td>100% virtual and socially distant<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re on the fence about joining Pianote, take a peek at the membership <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/inside-pianote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Combine Methods<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If online, traditional, or app learning doesn&#8217;t cut it for you on their own, try combining methods. For example, you could take lessons with Pianote and connect with an in-person instructor once a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whichever method you decide on, keep these two things in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Make sure your teacher&#8217;s style aligns with yours. <\/strong>If not, it can be frustrating if you want to play jazz and your teacher only teaches classical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Find a teacher who is encouraging and patient. <\/strong>I personally studied under a traditional, classical piano teacher who had high expectations. But I stayed with her for over 10 years because she was conscious of my needs and had a wonderful sense of humor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/classical-piano-lessons-vs-modern\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Classical Piano Lessons vs. Modern Piano Lessons<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/best-way-to-learn-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What\u2019s the Best Way to Learn Piano? (Online, Teachers &#038; More)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-piano-by-yourself\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Learn Piano By Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-piano-teacher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Find a Piano Teacher<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>PART 2: MASTERING THE FUNDAMENTALS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large full-width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14152421\/thumb-tuck-675px-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Close up of hand doing thumb tuck on piano keyboard.\" class=\"wp-image-15375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14152421\/thumb-tuck-675px-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14152421\/thumb-tuck-675px-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14152421\/thumb-tuck-675px-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14152421\/thumb-tuck-675px.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 3: Take a Seat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>3.1 Good Piano Posture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good habits start from day one. Before you start playing, always stretch, warm up, and check your posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sit down on your bench facing the middle of the piano. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor, your shoulders relaxed, and your arms are gently bent at the elbow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Remember these posture tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don&#8217;t sit hunched over<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warm up with a few stretches before each practice session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay close attention to your wrists, forearms, and shoulders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.giphy.com\/media\/PjsHOW2iYrLfH0kfLl\/giphy.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>When you place your hands on the keyboard, relax your wrists. Don\u2019t tense your fingers\u2014keep them loose so that they\u2019re slightly bent, not straight. Be careful not to let your wrists droop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/Your%20First%20Piano%20Lesson\/pianote-qt-lisa-witt-how-to-play-piano-GIF1.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Good posture is essential to enjoying your time at the piano. If you&#8217;re comfortable, you&#8217;ll be more motivated to practice, and you&#8217;ll play with better technique too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/perfect-posture-at-the-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Perfect Posture At The Piano (A Chiropractor\u2019s Guide)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"3-2\">Chapter 4: Basic Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4.1 Keyboard Navigation and Musical Alphabet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;piano keyboard&nbsp;may look dizzying with its vast array of keys (88, to be exact). But once you understand the patterns that make it work, it\u2019s actually quite simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How to Find Middle C<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at your keyboard. Notice the black keys\u2014see how there are sets of two and sets of three? We\u2019ll use these sets of twos and threes to find Middle C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Middle C<\/strong>&nbsp;is the first note you\u2019ll learn on the piano. It\u2019s smack dab in the middle of the keyboard, usually where the brand name of the piano is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/Your%20First%20Piano%20Lesson\/pianote-qt-lisa-witt-how-to-play-piano-GIF2.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video>\n\n\n\n<p>Find a set of two black keys in the middle and play the white key on the very left: this is Middle C!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember where Middle C is. You\u2019ll use it to orient yourself around the rest of the keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Musical Alphabet<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Now for your first theory lesson! In music, we name notes after the alphabet. The white key after C is D, the one after is E, and so on. The musical alphabet stops at G, however, so instead of a note called H we just repeat from C again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/labelled%20keyboard.png\" alt=\"Keyboard diagram with white keys labelled in red: CDEFGABCDEFGAB\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re wondering what all those black keys are called, they&#8217;re <strong>half-steps<\/strong> between the white notes and they&#8217;re called <strong>sharps<\/strong> or <strong>flats<\/strong>. We&#8217;ll cover sharps and flats more in the <a href=\"#5-1\">theory section<\/a> of this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you understand the musical alphabet, you can move on to the five-finger scale!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Resources:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-piano-fast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano in 7 Days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/getting-started\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Getting Started on the Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4.2 How to Play the Five Finger Scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The five-finger scale is a basic skill that will introduce you to a finger movement that is fundamental to piano-playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Right Hand<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s go back to Middle C. Place your right thumb on Middle C. In piano, we call this <strong>finger 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, place your index finger on the next white key, D. This is finger 2. Place your remaining fingers on the other white keys. This means finger 3 goes on E, finger 4 goes on F, and finger 5 (pinky) goes on G.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/Your%20First%20Piano%20Lesson\/pianote-qt-lisa-witt-how-to-play-piano-GIF4.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try playing these notes in order (1-2-3-4-5). Then, play it in reverse (5-4-3-2-1). Congratulations, you\u2019ve just played your first C major five-finger scale!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this feels weird at first, that\u2019s totally normal and okay. It\u2019s a new movement, so it\u2019ll take time to get used to. Your fingers may want to stick together, especially fingers 3 and 4. To improve, challenge yourself to play all five notes as evenly and articulated as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Play the right-hand five-finger scale a few times. Once you get the hang of it, move on to the left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Left Hand<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Find the C below Middle C and place your left pinky (finger 5) on it. Then follow up with the rest of your left-hand fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, play these notes up and down a few times until it feels more familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/Your%20First%20Piano%20Lesson\/pianote-qt-lisa-witt-how-to-play-piano-GIF5.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But&#8230;how do pianists play more than five notes in a row without running out of fingers?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This happens quite often, especially with scales. Pianists use techniques <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/mastering-the-thumb-tuck\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">like tucking under and crossing over<\/a> to quickly play long, unbroken streams of notes. This is why practicing scales is so important for pianists who want to play faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4.3 Your First Chords<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chords <\/strong>are the building blocks of music. They&#8217;re used in most Western music traditions, including pop, jazz, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/worship-piano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">church songs<\/a>. Understanding chords will help you progress in piano on both the practical and theoretical fronts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, there&#8217;s a lot of theory behind chords and chord progressions \u2014 theory that&#8217;s quite fascinating \u2014 but to make things simple in this guide, we&#8217;ll learn four basic chords in their root position and how to move between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The names of the four basic chords we&#8217;ll learn are: C major, G major, A minor, and F major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/chord-positions-2x2%20%281%29.png\" alt=\"Diagram of root position chords on the right hand. C major chord is CEG played with fingers 1-3-5. G major is GBD fingers 1-3-5. A minor chord is ACE fingers 1-3-5. F major chord is FAC with fingers 1-3-5.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll learn these chords in their <strong>triad<\/strong> form in <strong>root position<\/strong>, which means they\u2019ll all take a similar &#8220;shape.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>C Major Triad in Root Position<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>On your right hand, place finger 1 (thumb) on C and finger 5 (pinky) on G. Play these notes together. They are the outer \u201cshell\u201d of the C major root position chord. Once this feels comfortable, try playing E with finger 3 (your middle finger).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/chord-positions-rt%20%281%29.png\" alt=\"Diagram of C major chord on right hand with keys colored red: CEG played with fingers 1-3-5.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Try the same thing on your left hand. Place your left-hand finger 5 on C and finger 1 on G to form the chord shell. Then, play E with finger 3.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Your%20First%20Lessons\/chord-positions-lh%20%281%29.png\" alt=\"C major chord diagram with keys colored red: CEG with fingers 5-3-1.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The same fingering applies to the other root position G major, F major, and A minor chords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s worth repeating: chords are the building blocks of music. Therefore, mastering them will take you to the next level of playing, improvising, and connecting chords with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/riffs-and-fills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">riffs and fills<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/chord-hacks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free Chord Hacks lessons<\/a> for a complete and guided introduction to chords. Otherwise, we&#8217;ll revisit chords in a later <a href=\"#6-1\">theory section<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Resources<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/chord-hacks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chord Hacks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/all-piano-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Play ALL Piano Chords<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano Chord Theory 101<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-4\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4.4 Playing with Both Hands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14160536\/many-hands-on-keyboard-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Overhead view of many hands on a keyboard.\" class=\"wp-image-15376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14160536\/many-hands-on-keyboard-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14160536\/many-hands-on-keyboard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14160536\/many-hands-on-keyboard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14160536\/many-hands-on-keyboard.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s get one thing out of the way: playing with both hands feels <em>weird<\/em>. At least at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/technique\/hand-independence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hand independence<\/a> is something you\u2019ll continually work on as a pianist. Even advanced pianists have challenges with hand independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Five-Finger Scale in Both Hands<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You already know the five-finger scale. Now let&#8217;s try playing it with both hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you play the five-finger scale <em>up <\/em>with both hands, the fingering with look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#b91327\"><strong>Right hand: 1-2-3-4-5 (C-D-E-F-G)<br>Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1 (C-D-E-F-G)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you play the five-finger scale <em>down <\/em>with both hands, the fingering will look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#b91327\"><strong>Right hand: 5-4-3-2-1 (G-F-E-D-C)<br>Left hand: 1-2-3-4-5 (G-F-E-D-C)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this feels easy, try playing loudly in one hand and softly in the other. Then, switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-piano-with-both-hands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play Piano With Both Hands<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/hand-independence-in-5-days\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hand Independence in 5 Days<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-5\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4.5 How to Play Scales (Hands Together!)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re curious about scales, now is a good time to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ve mastered the five-finger scale, but what happens when you want to play the entire C major scale, from one octave to the next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you master the right technique, you&#8217;ll run out of fingers! So, before playing hands together, be sure to practice playing a full-octave scale on your right and left hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>C Major &#8211; Right Hand<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><strong>Up:<\/strong><br>Notes: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C<br>Fingering: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Down:<\/strong><br>Notes: C-B-A-G-F-E-D-C<br>Fingering: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/c%20scale%20rh%20up%20down-compressed.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>C Major &#8211; Left Hand<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><strong>Up:<\/strong><br>Notes: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C<br>Fingering: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Down:<\/strong><br>Notes: C-B-A-G-F-E-D-C<br>Fingering: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/c%20scale%20lh%20up%20down-compressed.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting hands together <em>takes practice<\/em>. The technique is more easily explained through video, so watch this lesson to get the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Play Piano Scales - Hands Together\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gfEeGlHsjaY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Resources:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-scales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano Scales: Types of Scales &#038; How to Apply Them<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/chords-and-scales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chords and Scales Library<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/make-scales-fun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Make Scales Fun (I Bet You Didn\u2019t Know They Could Sound Like This!)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Get exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>PART 3: MUSIC THEORY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large full-width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14163103\/lisa-with-sheet-music-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with short platinum hair playing grand piano looking at camera over shoulder, with sheet music on piano stand.\" class=\"wp-image-15378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14163103\/lisa-with-sheet-music-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14163103\/lisa-with-sheet-music-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14163103\/lisa-with-sheet-music-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14163103\/lisa-with-sheet-music.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 5: The Grand Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>5.1 How to Read Music Notation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You know the musical alphabet. Now let&#8217;s learn how to spell some music! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing you should familiarize yourself with is the <strong>grand staff<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/grand%20staff%20labelled.png\" alt=\"The grand staff with the names and positions of notes in the C major scale.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Grand Staff with the names and positions of notes in the C major scale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most piano music is written on the grand staff. The grand staff is special to the piano because there&#8217;s a top and bottom part, usually denoting right and left hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll briefly touch on the parts of the grand staff here, but for a more thorough breakdown, we recommend watching <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-read-notes-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this lesson<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/treble%20clef%20copy.png\" alt=\"Treble clef in dark red.\" style=\"width:72px;height:196px\" width=\"72\" height=\"196\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Treble Clef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, pianists play notes on the top staff, the one with the treble clef, with the right hand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/bass%20clef%20copy.png\" alt=\"Bass clef in dark red.\" style=\"width:120px;height:133px\" width=\"120\" height=\"133\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Bass Clef<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notes on the bottom staff, the one with the bass clef, are usually played with the left hand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In each staff (treble and bass), there are five lines with spaces between them. This is where our notes sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Read%20Notes%20Part%202\/Lines%20And%20Spaces%203.jpg\" alt=\"5 lines and 4 spaces numbered.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The higher up we move the lines and spaces, the higher the pitch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notes occupy lines and spaces and they all have names. At first, it&#8217;ll feel intimidating to memorize <em>all<\/em> the notes and their locations, so these acronyms might help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/space%20notes.png\" alt=\"Grand staff with space notes FACE in treble clef and ACEG in bass clef.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Space Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treble clef: FACE<br>Bass clef: All Cows Eat Grass<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/line%20notes-1.png\" alt=\"Grand staff with line notes EGBDF in treble clef and GBDFA in bass clef.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Line Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treble Clef: Every Good Boy Deserves Fries<br>Bass Clef: Good Boys Deserve Fries Always<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But we&#8217;re going to let you in on a little secret&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>You don&#8217;t need to read every single note!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To read music faster, we musicians employ some tips and tricks, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Landmark Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pick a few notes on the staff to know really well, such as G in the treble clef. Then, everything else is just in relation to G. For example, a step up from G is A, and the line note below G is E.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Read%20Notes%20Part%202\/g%20clef.jpg\" alt=\"Red staff with G in half note, landmark arrow pointing to G.\" style=\"width:238px;height:225px\" width=\"238\" height=\"225\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Intervals <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being able to tell the distance between notes is also a shortcut. Beginners should learn how to recognize intervals like thirds (space to space or line to line) and seconds (space to line or line to space). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Read%20Notes%20Part%202\/2nd.png\" alt=\"Red staff with middle C and. Din whole notes.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Patterns <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Music is made up of patterns. Knowing how to recognize patterns is a shortcut to reading music. For example, if you can recognize a scale, you&#8217;ll know that notes are just going up or down step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>This is a section from Mozart&#8217;s Sonata in C Major and you can see that it&#8217;s really not much more than a scale of notes stepping up and down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/sontata%20in%20c%20-%20scale.png\" alt=\"Measure from Sonata in C major by Mozart showing C major scale up and down.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Rhythm<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>What a note looks like can tell you how many beats it has. In 4\/4 time signature, the following notes have this many beats:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/note%20beats.png\" alt=\"Different note values. Quarter note is worth 1 beat and colored in. Half note is not colored in worth 2 beats. Dotted half note is half note with dot worth 3 beats. Whole note is not colored in note without stem, worth 4 beats.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left to right: quarter note, half note, dotted half note, whole note.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These notes have fraction names like <strong>quarter note<\/strong>, <strong>half note<\/strong>, <strong>dotted half note<\/strong>, and <strong>whole note<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Time Signatures<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The time signature consists of two numbers at the beginning of the staff. The top number tells you how many beats there are per <strong>measure<\/strong> (a measure section of music enclosed by bar lines). The bottom number tells you what note value takes one beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/time%20signature.png\" alt=\"3\/4 and 4\/4 time signature on treble clef.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;4&#8221; means quarter note so 3\/4 means &#8220;three quarter notes per measure&#8221; and 4\/4 means &#8220;four quarter notes per measure.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Key Signatures<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The key signature is located right before the time signature. It tells you what key you&#8217;re in by listing all the sharps and flats (or lack thereof) in the piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you see the following key signature, it means all Fs in the piece should be played as F sharp (F#) unless a note has a natural symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/1\/13\/G-major_e-minor.svg\" alt=\"Key signature of G major in treble clef with 1 sharp - F sharp.\" style=\"width:294px;height:294px\" width=\"294\" height=\"294\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Key signature of G major. G major has 1 sharp (F#).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>To understand the key signature, you&#8217;ll need to learn about <strong>key<\/strong>. In a nutshell, each key (ie. C major, F sharp minor, B flat major) has a unique number of sharps and flats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding keys is not absolutely vital when you&#8217;re first starting out on the piano, but knowing the Circle of Fifths will come in handy. So check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/circle-of-fifths-useless\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this lesson<\/a> if you want to learn more about keys.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-read-piano-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano Notes: The Ultimate Beginner\u2019s Guide to Reading Music<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-music-theory-basics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Music Theory Basics: What to Learn First<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/basic-time-signatures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Basic Time Signatures<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-intervals-music-theory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano Intervals Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>5.2 Music Symbols<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can probably tell that there&#8217;s a lot more than notes and staves in sheet music. Here are other things you may run into when sight-reading music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Accidentals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>sharp<\/strong> means we <em>raise<\/em> a note up by one half-step. A <strong>flat<\/strong> means we <em>lower<\/em> a note down by one half-step. Therefore, F sharp is the black key immediately right of F, and B flat is the black key immediately left of B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>natural<\/strong> tells you <em>not <\/em>to sharp or flat a note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Accidentals<\/strong> are sharps, flats, and naturals outside the key signature that appear in music. The general rule is, if a note has a sharp (or flat, or natural), all instances of that note thereafter in the same measure should also be sharped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/sonata%20in%20c%20-%20accidentals.png\" alt=\"Section of Sonata in C Major by Mozart with added flats and sharps. -accidentals.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Another section of Mozart&#8217;s Sonata in C Major with added B flats and F sharps. Note that there are no &#8220;default&#8221; flats and sharps. in the key signature because C major has no sharps and flats.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Dynamics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dynamics are what makes a good piano performance sound great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dynamics are markings that tell players whether to play something loud, soft, or something in between. Here are some common dynamic markings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Forte (f)<\/strong> &#8211; loud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Piano (p) <\/strong>&#8211; soft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mezzo forte (mf)<\/strong> &#8211; medium loud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mezzo piano (mp)<\/strong> &#8211; medium soft<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fortissimo (ff)<\/strong> &#8211; very loud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pianissimo (pp) <\/strong>&#8211; very soft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crescendo<\/strong> &#8211; gradually get louder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decrescendo<\/strong> &#8211; gradually get softer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/sontata%20in%20c%20-%20dynamics.png\" alt=\"Section of Mozart's Sonata in C major with crescendo, forte, legato, phrasing, and staccato.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Excerpt from the 2nd movement of Mozart&#8217;s Sonata in C major with dynamic and expression markings: crescendo, forte, legato, phrasing, staccato.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Crescendos and decrescendos are the &#8220;alligator mouth&#8221; symbols that indicate the music should be growing louder or softer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Expression<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many other symbols that indicate how a piece of music should be expressed. As a beginner, you might run into these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Phrasing:<\/strong> curved lines above music that indicate those notes should be connected, as if sung in one breath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legato: <\/strong>play lightly and connected in phrasing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Staccato: <\/strong>shown by dots above\/below a note head, this means playing notes short and detached (like hopping)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ritardando (rit.): <\/strong>slow down<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also special words that direct speed (tempo):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Largo: <\/strong>play slowly and broadly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Allegro: <\/strong>play fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moderato: <\/strong>play at a moderate speed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Presto: <\/strong>play very fast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Andante: <\/strong>play at a &#8220;walking pace&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lento: <\/strong>play slowly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vivace: <\/strong>play at a lively and fast space<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A tempo: <\/strong>return to previous\/original tempo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem overwhelming to memorize all these words off the bat, especially since most music terms are traditionally in Italian, French, or German. Don&#8217;t overwhelm yourself at first! As your exposure to sheet music grows, you&#8217;ll naturally pick up the language of music notation. Just learn terms one at a time when you encounter them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/music-symbols\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Making Sense of Music Symbols (Piano Lesson)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Complete Piano Terms Glossary: Piano Words You Should Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/what-are-dynamics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What Are Dynamics?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 6: More About Chords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>6.1 How Chords Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ve mentioned that chords are the building blocks of music, but what does this mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, a <strong>chord<\/strong> is a group of notes played together at the same time, that sound nice together. Chords often have names, like &#8220;C,&#8221; &#8220;Amin7,&#8221; or &#8220;Gsus4.&#8221; I like how classical piano teacher Cassi Falk explains chords and their names:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You can think of [chords] like you would a word in a sentence. When you see the word \u2018cat\u2019, you don\u2019t think of the individual letters, c-a-t. You think of the whole system of letters that forms the word and makes you think of a cat.&nbsp;That\u2019s basically the idea with chords. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<cite>Cassi Falk, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-music-theory-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Music Theory for the Dropouts #5<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6853295\/pexels-photo-6853295.jpeg?cs=srgb&amp;dl=pexels-cottonbro-6853295.jpg&amp;fm=jpg\" alt=\"White cat walking on keyboard of upright piano.\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As a beginner, the chords you&#8217;re most likely to encounter are <strong>triads<\/strong>. These are three-note chords and there are two main types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165802\/major-triad-formula.jpeg\" alt=\"C major triad diagram. C to E is four half-steps, E to G is three half-steps.\" class=\"wp-image-15379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165802\/major-triad-formula.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165802\/major-triad-formula-300x280.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Major triads<\/strong> sound &#8220;happy.&#8221; The middle note can be calculated by counting four half-steps up from the root (bottom) note and the top note can be found by counting three half-steps up from the middle note.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"751\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165918\/minor-triad-formula.jpeg\" alt=\"A minor triad diagram. A to C is 3 half-steps, C to E is 4 half-steps.\" class=\"wp-image-15380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165918\/minor-triad-formula.jpeg 751w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/14165918\/minor-triad-formula-300x280.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Minor triads<\/strong> sound &#8220;sad.&#8221; The middle note can be calculated by counting three half-steps up from the root (bottom) note and the top note can be found by counting four half-steps up from the middle note.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Chord Progressions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The magic of chords happen when we play several in a row, forming a <strong>chord progression<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chord progressions <em>harmonize and move a piece of music forward<\/em>. You may be surprised to learn that in virtually all of Western music history \u2014 from J.S. Bach to Justin Bieber \u2014 is based off similar chord progressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To see this in action, check out this video (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/pop-vs-classical-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You Love Classical Music &#8211; You Just Don&#8217;t Know It!<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"You Love Classical Music (You Just Don&#039;t Know It!): Pop vs. Classical\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vZKOvC0xDR4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;re comfortable playing a few chords, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/pop-piano-chord-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">I-V-vi-IV progression<\/a>, which will unlock hundreds (not an exaggeration!) of songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piano Chord Theory 101<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chord-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top 10 Piano Chord Progressions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>6.2 How to Use Chord Charts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>chord chart<\/strong> is a document that shows a song&#8217;s lyrics with the names of chords above the lyrics as the chords change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to read and play from a chord chart will take you <em>far. <\/em>That&#8217;s because these days, you can find the chord chart of almost any pop song on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimate-guitar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ultimate-Guitar.com<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/yesterday%20chord%20chart%202.png\" alt=\"Excerpt of chord chart of &quot;yesterday&quot; by the Beatles showing major, minor, and seventh chords.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot of the chord chart for &#8220;Yesterday&#8221; by the Beatles (<a href=\"https:\/\/tabs.ultimate-guitar.com\/tab\/the-beatles\/yesterday-chords-17450https:\/\/tabs.ultimate-guitar.com\/tab\/the-beatles\/yesterday-chords-17450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Major chords are indicated by just their letter, like <strong>C<\/strong> for C major or <strong>F<\/strong> for F major. &#8220;Yesterday&#8221; begins with a simple F major chord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minor chords will have a lowercase &#8220;m,&#8221; such as the <strong>Dm<\/strong> and <strong>Em7<\/strong> chords in &#8220;Yesterday.&#8221; You can play a lot of songs with just major and minor chords, but other types of chords add color to music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Slash Chords<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>slash chord<\/strong>, like F\/E in &#8220;Yesterday,&#8221; means you play the note after the slash as your bass note while your right hand plays the chord F on top.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Are Slash Chords?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2X2FMVe9YWM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Seventh Chords<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Standard major and minor chords like <strong>Em<\/strong> have a root, third, and fifth (E-G-B). Seventh chords like <strong>Em7<\/strong> have an added seventh (E-G-B-D).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seventh chords<\/strong> have a dreamier sound and are often used in jazz piano.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Understanding 7th Chords On The Piano\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AKSMzmjCTN8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Sus Chords<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>No, <strong>sus chords<\/strong> are not suspicious. &#8220;Sus&#8221; means &#8220;suspended&#8221; and it&#8217;s when you switch out a note for another. So Gsus4 would mean switching out the third (B) for a fourth (C) to form G-C-D.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Suspended Piano Chords 101 (Beginner Piano Lesson)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XfSdJiXqCCY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/slash-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What Are Slash Chords?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/understanding-7ths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ultimate Guide to 7th Chords On Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/sus-piano-chords-101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sus Piano Chords 101<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>6.3 How to Use Lead Sheets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead sheets are somewhere between a full score of sheet music and a chord chart. A lead sheet shows you just the melody of a song and the chords above the melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/happy%20birthday%20-%20lead%20sheet.png\" alt=\"Excerpt of first line of Happy Birthday lead sheet.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our lead sheet for Happy Birthday, which you can find <a href=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/pdf\/Happy%20Birthday-Lead-Sheet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead sheets are useful because you can confidently play the melody of a song without needing to figure it out by ear, while having ample creative room to experiment with the accompaniment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fun comes when you know a melody and the chords well enough to add in your own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/riffs-and-fills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">riffs and fills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Article:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/chord-symbols-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chord Symbols, Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 7: Your First Songs!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>7.1 Easy Piano Songs to Learn First<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you play songs as a beginner? You bet! Here are a few song tutorials to check out<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8220;Imagine&#8221; by John Lennon<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>One song we like to recommend beginners try out once they master the fundamentals in Part 2 is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-imagine-on-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Imagine.&#8221;<\/a> It&#8217;s a good song for beginners because it&#8217;s in C major (all white keys and no flats or sharps!) and sounds great even when played slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-imagine-on-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Play \u201cImagine\u201d on Piano<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Play &quot;Imagine&quot; by John Lennon - Piano Lesson (Pianote)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q8iYw7D2of4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8220;Someone You Loved&#8221; by Lewis Capaldi<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Pop songs are a brilliant place to start because chances are, you&#8217;re familiar with the tune already and most pop songs use similar chord progressions. &#8220;Someone You Loved&#8221; is an iconic song that&#8217;s actually very simple. This tutorial will teach you the basics in seven minutes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/your-first-piano-song\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Play Your First Piano Song In 7 Minutes (&#8220;Someone You Loved&#8221;)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Play Your First Piano Song In 7 Minutes (Or Less)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I4nXmQoycvQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8220;Happy Birthday&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Happy Birthday&#8221; is a simple must-have in your piano playing arsenal. This song is perfect for birthday party sing-alongs. After all, how else can you embarrass your friends on their birthday? In our step-by-step tutorial, we&#8217;ll show you a basic way to play this as well as a jazzier version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/happy-birthday-tutorial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Happy Birthday Piano Chords and Easy Tutorial<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Play Happy Birthday On The Piano (Basic &amp; Jazzy Version)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-slqLMkTHxU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Helpful Articles:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-any-song-on-the-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Play ANY Pop Song on the Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/3-easy-coldplay-intros\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 Easy Coldplay Intros<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/3-easy-beatles-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 Easy Beatles Piano Songs: Chords &#038; Tutorials<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"next\" style=\"color:#f61a30\"><strong>PART 4: NEXT STEPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large full-width\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with short platinum hair playing grand piano in blue lit studio with sparkly blue shirt singing into microphone.\" class=\"wp-image-14221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 8: Exploring Genres<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>8.1 Jazz Piano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Man in red shirt playing keyboard standing up with foot on keys in front of drums, microphones, double bass, and saxophone.\" class=\"wp-image-14949\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/16093000\/survey-4-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve ever seen a jazz or cocktail lounge pianist play, you may have found it a magical, surreal experience. Jazz is rooted in improvisation, so how the heck do these brilliant musicians conjure up delightful melodies seemingly from thin air?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, it&#8217;s not <em>exactly<\/em> magic. Jazz pianists have a very solid grasp of chord theory which gives them shortcuts to improvise upon. If you want to get started with jazz, we recommend learning seventh chords, understanding the ii-V-I progression, and mastering syncopation. Then, start adding riffs and licks to your jazz back pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re a Pianote Member, check out our in-depth series on &#8220;Autumn Leaves.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Free Jazz Lessons:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-jazz-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Play Jazz Piano for Beginners: Learn These Skills First<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/top-3-jazz-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top 3 Jazz Progressions for Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/251-chord-progression\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The 2-5-1 Chord Progression: Beginner\u2019s Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>8.2 Worship Piano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20to%20Play%20Piano%20-%20Ultimate%20Guide\/worship%20band.jpg\" alt=\"Socially distanced worship band in dark studio playing in front of crucifix.  Each band member has their own rug. Left to right: bassist with hands apart in praise, keyboardist singing, acoustic guitarist with one fist raised.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ve noticed that topics about playing piano for a religious community are among some of our most popular content. Which is awesome because music is all about community!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing for your place of worship can be incredibly rewarding because you get to be part of a team. Collaboration takes practice, and playing with a band builds very useful skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Free Worship Piano Lessons:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/easy-worship-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 Easy Worship Songs for Piano<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-piano-at-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play Piano At Church (Worship Piano)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-beautiful-background-music-at-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play Beautiful Background Music at Church<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Also check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/shop\/worship-piano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Worship Piano course<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>8.3 Classical Piano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with short platinum hair and light blue sweater playing grand piano in dark blue studio.\" class=\"wp-image-13369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/26140632\/2022-10-Lisa-Moonlight-Sonata-116-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When most people think of piano, they think of classical music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The piano has been a mainstay in classical music for centuries. And people like Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy have defined what many people imagine as the &#8220;piano sound.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Classical music is often considered more advanced because you need to be pretty comfortable reading sheet music. (Even though, contrary to popular belief, classical music has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4Omkh8QFAdg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a rich improvisation history<\/a>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Free Classical Piano Lessons:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/classical-piano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Classical Piano Quick Start<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/famous-classical-piano-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">40+ Legendary Classical Piano Songs By Difficulty (Sheet Music, Tutorials, History)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/3-easy-chopin-pieces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 Easy Chopin Pieces (With Sheet Music)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-4\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>8.4 Pop Piano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/30124501\/anand-practicing-on-casio-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Man in green blue plaid shirt and grey sweater playing casio keyboard.\" class=\"wp-image-14479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/30124501\/anand-practicing-on-casio-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/30124501\/anand-practicing-on-casio-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/30124501\/anand-practicing-on-casio-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/30124501\/anand-practicing-on-casio.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing pop music is fun because, for many of us, pop music is what we listen to on a daily basis. You know these songs in and out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The advantage of playing pop music is you can make songs as simple or as complicated as you&#8217;d like. You can see this in action with Lisa&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/cVoS8WKN3Eg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;5 Levels of &#8216;Tiny Dancer'&#8221;<\/a> video. You can also choose to play along to your own singing or play the melody on the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have tons of pop piano tutorials on this website, so make sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/song-tutorials\/pop-rock\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check them out<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Free Pop Piano Lessons:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/10-easy-piano-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Easy Piano Songs You Can Learn Today<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/3-easy-coldplay-intros\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3 Easy Coldplay Intros<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/bohemian-rhapsody-sheet-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Queen \u2013 \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d Piano Sheet Music &#038; Tutorial<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-x-large-font-size\">Chapter 9: FAQ and Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>9.1 Free Online Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing piano can get expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, thanks to the internet, there are numerous free ways to develop skills, play your favorite songs, and master music theory. Here are several 100% free online resources to help with your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Shopping Guides<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianodreamers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Piano Dreamers <\/a><\/strong>is a super in-depth blog that covers piano learning options and gear. They write very detailed articles like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianodreamers.com\/piano-buying-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Digital Piano<\/a> and product reviews for keyboards, recording equipment, learning methods, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianobuyer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Piano Buyer<\/strong><\/a> is a biannual publication that covers what&#8217;s new and hot in the piano-buying market. It is accessible for free on the internet and includes in-depth articles on subjects like how to best buy used instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13140423\/tyson-with-dog-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Man with hat playing keyboard with iPad on piano stand with dog in lap.\" class=\"wp-image-14617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13140423\/tyson-with-dog-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13140423\/tyson-with-dog-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13140423\/tyson-with-dog-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/13140423\/tyson-with-dog.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Sheet Music<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/imslp.org\/wiki\/Main_Page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Petrucci Music Library<\/a><\/strong> a.k.a. the <strong>International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)<\/strong> is an online database of (mostly) public domain sheet music from classical composers like Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart, whose sheet music copyright has expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.8notes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8notes<\/a> <\/strong>is a library of sheet music for popular tunes, arranged for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimate-guitar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ultimate-Guitar.com<\/a><\/strong> contains chord charts for piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele. Chord charts can be toggled to &#8220;piano&#8221; to show diagrams of how to play each chord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Recording and Composition<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audacityteam.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Audacity<\/a> <\/strong>is a free, open-source, multi-platform recording software that allows you to record and edit music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/musescore.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Musescore<\/strong><\/a> is a free sheet music writing program with powerful features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Learning<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Note (this blog!)<\/strong> &#8211; okay, we&#8217;re a little biased here. But we work every day to make <em>The Note<\/em> the best free piano learning resource on the web. You&#8217;ll find tons of resources including song tutorials, technical exercises, theory explanations and in-depth articles like biographies of famous pianists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>YouTube <\/strong>is another great resource. Content creators on YouTube, from major companies to individual pianists, make how-to videos every day. These include everything from song tutorials to mini-documentaries that explain the theory behind your favorite compositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>9.2 Pianist Communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/15145644\/lisa-and-kevin-silly-christmas-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with short platinum hair and man with short dark hair both in red sitting on piano bench next to piano in front of Christmas tree in studio. Woman makes silly face.\" class=\"wp-image-15399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/15145644\/lisa-and-kevin-silly-christmas-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/15145644\/lisa-and-kevin-silly-christmas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/15145644\/lisa-and-kevin-silly-christmas-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/15145644\/lisa-and-kevin-silly-christmas.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The piano is a pretty self-sufficient, independent instrument. Unfortunately, this means pianists can be isolated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But communities are great resources because if you&#8217;re struggling with something, you can consult with your community. Perhaps someone else has been there, solved that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That all being said, finding a community isn&#8217;t always easy especially with pianists, because pianos aren&#8217;t exactly portable. However, there are numerous online communities that are great resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">r\/piano<\/a> subreddit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianostreet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pianostreet<\/a> forum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also upload videos of your playing online and request feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A word about the Pianote community&#8230;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re very passionate about community at Pianote partly because we share a studio with drummers, guitarists, and other musicians and we&#8217;ve seen first-hand the value of collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s why we created the Pianote Members Area as a place for students to learn piano together. Pianote members can also attend live Q&amp;A sessions, post discussions in the forum, and share content in a private Facebook group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re not sure about committing to a membership, you can take a look behind the paywall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/inside-pianote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>9.3 Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-1024x574.png\" alt=\"Overhead shot of hands in plaid sleeves playing piano.\" class=\"wp-image-13867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-1536x861.png 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/19140148\/truman-hands-2400x1350-1-2048x1149.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re excited to learn piano but are bursting with questions, you&#8217;ve come to the right place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#too-old\">Am I too old to learn how to play piano?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#read-music\">Do I absolutely need to know how to read sheet music?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#practice\">What&#8217;s the best way to practice?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#hand-independence\">My brain knows what to do, but my hands refuse to co-operate!<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#best-piano\">What&#8217;s the best piano to buy for a beginner?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#good\">How long does it take to get good at piano?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"too-old\"><strong>Am I too old to learn how to play piano?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>No! In fact, we think age is an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adults tend to have established work habits and are often very driven to learn music. After all, you&#8217;re taking music lessons for yourself, not a parent or teacher!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an adult, you&#8217;ve also had lifelong exposure to music. You understand rhythm, melody, and may even be able to figure out tunes by ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So try learning piano. If anything, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianistmagazine.com\/blogs\/how-playing-the-piano-can-aid-your-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">health benefits<\/a> are excellent reasons to start. As is your passion to create music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/learn-piano-as-an-adult\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learning Piano As An Adult: Tips &amp; Exercises<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"read-music\"><strong>Do I absolutely need to know how to read sheet music?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the most successful musicians ever, including all <a href=\"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/4503916\/paul-mccartney-cant-read-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Beatles<\/a>, don&#8217;t know how to read music. And Mozart was famous for being able to recreate songs by ear. So, short answer: no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, knowing how to read music is an incredibly useful skill. Sight-reading is encouraged if you want to play classical music you&#8217;re essentially recreating a song exactly how it was written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you want to play pop music, knowing how to read chord charts should be enough. Sheet music is useful, but it can also limit your creativity. On the other hand, chord charts and lead sheets encourage original improvisation while providing guidance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, pick a learning method that is rewarding for you and your musical preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"practice\"><strong>What&#8217;s the best way to practice?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>How and what to practice is a common question we get. You&#8217;ve probably heard stories of professional pianists who practice an insane number of hours, but <em>how<\/em> you practice is more important than how many hours you put in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Practice with a plan and have goals in mind. A typical practice session may go like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Warm-up: 5-10 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technique, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-practice-piano-scales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scales<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/arpeggio-practice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arpeggios<\/a>: 10 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Songs: 20 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fun\/improv: 10 minutes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s also more effective and efficient to target things you struggle with, rather than playing songs from beginning to end, over and over again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistency is also important. It may be more effective to practice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/10-minute-practice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10 minutes a day<\/a>, every day, than one hour of binge-practicing and then no practice for the rest of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/absolute-beginner-practice-routine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Practice Routine for Absolute Beginners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"hand-independence\"><strong>My brain knows what to do, but my two hands just won&#8217;t co-operate!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a very common problem for pianists of all ages. Even experienced pianists struggle with hand independence from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Struggling is actually a good sign \u2014 it means you&#8217;re challenging yourself to learn something new. Just keep practicing \u2014 it takes time. If a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/beginner-hand-independence-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hand independence exercise<\/a> comes too easily to you, it means it&#8217;s too easy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"best-piano\"><strong>What&#8217;s the best piano to buy for a beginner?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to get an 88-key keyboard (or at least 61 keys), and make sure the keys are touch-sensitive. This means if you press on them lightly, you&#8217;ll make a soft sound. And if you press on them hard, you&#8217;ll play hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lisa also has a <a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/Pianote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">curated list<\/a> of trustworthy products you can browse. For beginners, we recommend the Yamaha P125 and Roland FP30, which are both <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"good\"><strong>How long does it take to get good at piano?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on so many different things: your definition of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-ability-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;good,&#8221;<\/a> how much you practice, and <em>how<\/em> you practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is for sure, though: just because someone can play an impressive-looking song, doesn&#8217;t mean they are a good pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But to answer the question, you can learn basic skills pretty quickly if you&#8217;re diligent. In fact, you can go from never having touched a piano to playing &#8220;Imagine&#8221; in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-piano-fast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seven days<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Progressing from there is a matter of time and dedication. If ever feel frustrated, you&#8217;re not alone! There are ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-stay-motivated-at-the-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">re-motivate yourself<\/a>, such as re-visiting why you want to learn how to play the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-piano-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Long Does It Take to Learn Piano? We Asked 1000+ Pianists<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope this guide jumpstarts your piano journey! Honestly, though, we&#8217;re so happy you&#8217;re here. Welcome to the piano family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tve-leads-shortcode tve-leads-triggered tve-tl-anim tl-anim-instant tve-leads-track-shortcode_16126\"><div class=\"tl-style\" id=\"tve_tcb2_blank\" data-state=\"52\" data-form-state=\"\"><style type=\"text\/css\" class=\"tve_custom_style\">@import url(\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Bebas+Neue:400&subset=latin\");@import url(\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i,600,600i,800,500&subset=latin\");@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884fe\"]{--tve-border-radius: 6px;overflow: hidden;border-radius: 6px !important;background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;--background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;--tve-applied-background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;background-image: none !important;--background-image: none !important;--tve-applied-background-image: none !important;margin-bottom: 1px 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scroll !important;--background-repeat: no-repeat !important;--tve-applied-background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,0.4),rgba(0,0,0,0.4)) !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"].tve-state-active .tcb-button-link{background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;--background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;--tve-applied-background-color: var$(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188506\"]{font-size: 22px !important;}}@media (max-width: 1023px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\"]{padding-left: 1px !important;padding-right: 1px !important;}}@media (max-width: 767px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884ff\"]{padding: 2px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-top: 20px !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\"]{padding: 2px 0px !important;}}<\/style><style type=\"text\/css\" class=\"tve_user_custom_style\">.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h1,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h2,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h3{margin:0;padding:0}.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element p,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h1,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h2,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h3{margin:0}<\/style><div class=\"tve-leads-conversion-object\" data-tl-type=\"shortcode_16126\"><div class=\"tve_flt\"><div id=\"tve_editor\" class=\"tve_shortcode_editor\"><div class=\"thrv-leads-form-box tve_no_drag tve_no_icons thrv_wrapper tve_editor_main_content thrv-leads-in-content tve_empty_dropzone\" style=\"--tve-border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 6px !important;\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884fe\"><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_contentbox_shortcode thrv-content-box tve-elem-default-pad\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884ff\" style=\"\"><div class=\"tve-content-box-background\"><\/div><div class=\"tve-cb\"><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188500\"><h3 class=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188502\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Learn With Real Piano Teachers<\/b><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\" style=\"\"><p data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188504\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Get real feedback from real experts\u2026all from the comfort of your own home. Explore our Method and community for yourself with a free trial.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv-button thrv-button-v2 tcb-local-vars-root tve_ea_thrive_animation tve_anim_grow\" data-button-style=\"btn-tpl-58447\" data-tcb_hover_state_parent=\"\" data-button-size-d=\"s\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\" style=\"\"><div class=\"thrive-colors-palette-config\" style=\"display: none !important\"><\/div>\t\t<a href=\"\/trial\" class=\"tcb-button-link tcb-plain-text tve_evt_manager_listen tve_et_tve-viewport\" style=\"\" target=\"_blank\" data-tcb-events=\"__TCB_EVENT_[{&quot;t&quot;:&quot;tve-viewport&quot;,&quot;config&quot;:{&quot;anim&quot;:&quot;grow&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:1},&quot;a&quot;:&quot;thrive_animation&quot;}]_TNEVE_BCT__\">\t\t<span class=\"tcb-button-texts\" style=\"\"><span class=\"tcb-button-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188506\">Try Pianote for 7 Days<\/span><span class=\"tcb-secondary-text thrv-inline-text tve-froala fr-box fr-basic\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/span>\t<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission from the product seller if you make a purchase. For more info, check out our <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/privacy\"><em>privacy page.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to play the piano &#8211; from buying your first instrument and choosing a teaching method to mastering the fundamentals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":5667,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[865,1133],"class_list":["post-3698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship","tag-affiliate","tag-survey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3698"}],"version-history":[{"count":130,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3698\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18418,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3698\/revisions\/18418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}