PIANO PLAYING FOR BEGINNERS

IN ONE OF the past blogs, we talked mostly about guitars. This time around, we will devote this entire blog article to basic piano rudiments for starters.

In my experience, playing the piano is way much easier than mastering the guitar because you only have to learn do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do (or CDEFGABC) -- the basic foundation or introduction to music -- on the keyboard.

The middle C (or do) is located in the centermost part of the keyboard. Go one note higher and you will hit D (re). E (mi) is next, followed by F (fa). G (so) comes in next. 
A (la) is the 6th note. B (ti) will be next. The last (8th) note is also called C (do) because the beginning and end (like bookshelves) of the scale must have the same note. The eighth C note is naturally higher than the lower C note. 

Remember that the C scale is played by using white keys all throughout the eight notes. There are no black keys in the scale.   

The C chord is played using three right fingers for beginners: the thumb is for C (do), the middle finger is for E (mi) and the pinky or the smallest finger is for G (so). A triad (three notes) forms a chord. Inverted C chords can be found in all of the C scales by trying the different three-note variations on the keyboard.

Experimentation must be done only when you have mastered the basic C scale.

The fingerings of the C scale must be followed to a T for it is the foundation of everything one must learn from the start.

The first three right fingers must play C (do), D (re), E (mi). Slide the thumb under your middle finger and hit the F (fa) with it. G (so) is played by the pointing finger. A (la) by the middle finger. B (ti) by the ring (4th) finger. And C (do) again for the eighth note using the pinky (smallest) finger. Remember to always start slow until you notice the evident efficiency of your fingers.

Maybe you're wondering what happens to the left hand. Well, here goes...   
 

All the eight notes below your middle C scale are also the same notes you play using the left hand. Only this time it will be an octave lower. You must not forget that the left hand is prominently used here.

   

Hit the C (do) note using your left hand pinky finger. Then your ring finger for D (re). The middle finger for E (mi). The pointing finger for F (fa) and the thumb for G (so). Now slide the middle finger over your thumb and hit the next note that is A (la). The pointing finger for B (ti) and use the thumb again for the eighth note that is C (do). 

  

By continuously practicing the left hand playing the scale separately, you will eventually master the task. Keep in mind (again) to always start very slow with your scaling. The dexterity of the fingers will be attained only through constant practice.

   

The next lesson will be playing the C scale using both your hands together.

Start very slow (again) until you notice that the left and right fingers start speeding up the tempo on their own. Tumatakbo na...

  

Have a professional pianist go with you when shopping for a piano. He will decide which one will be best -- a clavinova, an upright or electric piano, maybe an organ. It will all depend on your preferred taste (and budget as well).