| Playing the keyboard is not as difficult as a lot of piano | | | | know it, the C major scale is something that you've |
| upstarts think. In fact, the piano is the perfect | | | | probably heard hundreds of times in your life, from |
| instrument for music beginners, as, unlike other | | | | various sources. If you do it correctly, to play your first |
| instruments, its layout is straightforward and easy to | | | | scale should feel pretty satisfying. This is partly |
| understand. Plus, in contrast to instruments like the | | | | because the major scale is designed to musically |
| guitar, to play the keyboard doesn't require a lot of | | | | resolve itself in a nice way. |
| unnatural hand contortions -- at least until you get to | | | | Piano teachers have specific ways that they |
| more advanced pieces, but by then your fingers will be | | | | recommend playing scales. My teacher, for instance, |
| buff. | | | | taught me the standard way of playing the C major |
| When learning how to play the keyboard, the basics | | | | scale upwards, which was to play the first three notes |
| are quite simple. Looking at the piano, there are two | | | | with my first three fingers, then cross my thumb under |
| types of keys -- white keys and black keys. As you | | | | and play the rest of the scale with all five fingers. |
| may already know, the musical scale consists of the | | | | Whether or not you use this particular method is up to |
| letters A through G with some sharps/flats mixed in. | | | | you; the important thing is that you find natural ways to |
| The first important fact to learn is that the white keys | | | | play the scales. As your ways of playing will soon be |
| represent the letters, while the black keys represent | | | | internalized, you want to find the best ways to play the |
| the sharps and flats. | | | | keyboard. |
| Before going any further, you must find your piano's | | | | Once you become good at playing the C major scale |
| middle C. You will find it in the middle of the keyboard. | | | | with your right hand -- both up and down -- it's time to |
| Most pianos have the name of the company that | | | | learn the same thing with your left hand. Essentially, the |
| made them printed above the keyboard. In many | | | | C major scale with your left hand is the mirror image |
| cases, the first letter of the name is directly above | | | | of the one you've already learned; place your thumb |
| middle C. If you still can't find the middle C, consult a | | | | on the middle C, and play all the white keys down to |
| diagram. | | | | the next C, then go back up. |
| When starting out, you might as well tell yourself that | | | | After you learn how to play the C major scale, it's time |
| you're not going to touch the black keys for the first | | | | to learn chords. Soon after that, it will be time to learn |
| few lessons. For now, focus on the white keys, which | | | | some other scales. For now, though, practice the C |
| make up the C major scale. | | | | major scale as many times as it takes to sound |
| To play this scale, place your thumb on the middle C, | | | | smooth and even. It may be boring, but once you get |
| with the rest of your fingers on the next four | | | | this down, everything else in the future will be a little |
| successive notes -- D, E, F, and G. Essentially, you're | | | | easier. |
| going to play eight notes, beginning with middle C, and | | | | Basically, when learning how to play the keyboard, |
| ending with the C that is one octave higher. | | | | mastering the piano's C major scale is the bridge |
| When you play these eight notes in order, you'll notice | | | | toward bigger and more ambitious things. So, practice |
| that it sounds quite familiar. Even though you may not | | | | that scale until you can play it in your sleep. |