First Day On The Piano Tutorials For Beginners (lesson 1)

Summary

In this beginner's piano tutorial, Aaron introduces the keyboard layout, focusing on the arrangement of white and black keys. He explains the significance of the 12 replicated keys and the naming convention using the alphabets A-G. Aaron also covers the concept of sharps and flats for black keys and the function of the sustain pedal. The tutorial sets the stage for learning piano fundamentals, including finger numbering and the potential for exploring various sounds beyond the piano.

Takeaways

• 🎹 The tutorial is aimed at beginners who are new to the piano and keyboard.
• 🛠 The keyboard can simulate various instruments but the focus is on the piano aspect.
• 🔠 The keyboard layout consists of a pattern of two and three black keys, which helps in identifying the keys.
• 🔢 There are 12 keys replicated across the keyboard, forming the chromatic scale.
• 📝 The white keys are named using the first seven letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
• 🎼 The black keys are named based on the adjacent white keys and can be referred to as sharps when moving left to right or flats when moving right to left.
• 🔄 The pattern of keys is cyclical, with the sequence repeating after the G key.
• 👂 The sound of the keyboard decreases in pitch as you move from left to right and increases as you move from right to left.
• 👣 The sustain pedal allows the sound to continue even after the keys are released.
• 🔄 The pitch bend and modulation wheel are used for special effects and volume control.
• 👐 The number system is used to correlate fingers to notes, with the right hand having five fingers numbered 1-5.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Aaron's beginner's piano course?

The main focus of Aaron's beginner's piano course is to teach students about the piano aspect of the keyboard, including understanding the arrangement and names of the white and black keys.

What is the significance of the two black keys followed by three white keys in the arrangement of a keyboard?

The pattern of two black keys followed by three white keys is part of the repeating pattern that helps to identify the keys on the keyboard, making it easier to locate specific notes.

How many keys are replicated on a keyboard according to the script?

There are 12 keys replicated on a keyboard, which form the basis of the musical scale.

What are the seven alphabets used to name the white keys on a piano?

The seven alphabets used to name the white keys are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

How can you locate the key C on a piano keyboard?

To locate the key C, look for the first black key and move one key to the left, which will be the first white key after the two black keys.

What is the name given to the black keys when playing from left to right?

When playing from left to right, the black keys are named 'sharp', indicating a half step higher than the white key they are adjacent to.

What is the name given to the black keys when playing from right to left?

When playing from right to left, the black keys are named 'flat', indicating a half step lower than the white key they are adjacent to.

What is the purpose of the sustain pedal on a piano?

The sustain pedal on a piano is used to make the sound of the notes played last longer, creating a sustained effect.

What is the term used for the fingers on the right hand when playing the piano?

The fingers on the right hand are referred to by numbers, with the thumb being 1, index finger 2, middle finger 3, ring finger 4, and pinky 5.

What is the next step in Aaron's course after introducing the piano keys?

The next step in Aaron's course is to teach the correlation of fingers to the notes using the number system and to explore playing melodies using the 12 keys.

Outlines

00:00

🎹 Introduction to Piano Keys

In this introductory tutorial, Aaron welcomes viewers to a beginner's piano course, focusing on the first encounter with a piano or keyboard. He explains the purpose of the white and black keys, which are the primary tools for playing music. The video promises to be informative and lengthy, covering the basics of the keyboard layout and the significance of each key. Aaron emphasizes the keyboard's versatility, noting its ability to mimic various instruments but concentrating on the piano aspect. He introduces the pattern of black and white keys, explaining the sequence of two and three black keys followed by groups of three and four white keys, which repeat to form the 12 keys on a keyboard.

05:02

📚 Understanding Keyboard Layout and Naming Conventions

Aaron continues the tutorial by teaching the audience how to identify and name the white and black keys on a keyboard. He uses the alphabet (A-G) to label the white keys, starting with C and moving through the sequence of notes, ending with G. The black keys are named based on the white keys they are adjacent to, with the term 'sharp' used when moving from left to right and 'flat' when moving from right to left. This dual naming system allows for flexibility in musical notation. The tutorial also covers how to locate the starting note 'A' by finding a group of three black keys and moving to the middle key, which is then followed by the sequence of white keys named A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

10:04

🎵 Exploring Musical Notation and Key Replication

The third paragraph delves deeper into the musical notation, explaining the concept of sharps and flats for the black keys. Aaron clarifies that each black key can be referred to by two names, depending on the direction of play. For example, the key next to C can be called C sharp when moving left to right and D flat when moving right to left. This dual naming continues across the keyboard, with each black key having a sharp and a flat designation. The tutorial also touches on the importance of memorizing these names for beginners, as it forms the foundation for understanding music theory and playing the piano.

15:04

🛠️ Keyboard Features and Practical Application

In the final paragraph, Aaron introduces additional features of the keyboard, such as the sustain pedal, which allows notes to continue sounding even after the keys are released. He also mentions the pitch bend and modulation wheel for creating effects, and discusses the volume controls, transpose, octave, and shift functions. The tutorial concludes with a brief mention of the next course, which will cover practical application and further exploration of the 12 keys. Aaron also emphasizes the importance of hand and finger positioning, introducing a numbering system for fingers that will be expanded upon in future lessons.

Keywords

💡Piano

The piano is a large keyboard instrument that is played by striking its keys. In the video, the piano is the central focus, as the instructor is teaching beginners how to understand and play the piano. The piano is mentioned as being capable of producing various sounds, not just those typical of a piano, but also guitar, bass, cello, and more, highlighting its versatility.

💡Keyboard

The term 'keyboard' in this context refers to the instrument that mimics the piano's keys, allowing for the playing of various sounds. The script mentions that the keyboard can be used to play different kinds of sounds, emphasizing its functionality as a multi-instrument device. The keyboard is the primary tool discussed in the tutorial, central to learning the basics of piano playing.

💡White Keys

White keys are the primary keys on a piano or keyboard, used for playing the main notes. The script explains that the white keys are named using the alphabets A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, and these keys are the main focus for beginners learning to play the piano. The arrangement and naming of these keys are crucial for understanding the basic structure of the keyboard.

💡Black Keys

Black keys, also known as sharps and flats, are the secondary keys on a piano or keyboard that alter the pitch of the adjacent white keys. In the script, the instructor details how black keys are named based on the white keys they are next to, either as sharps when played from left to right or flats when played from right to left. Understanding the function of black keys is essential for playing melodies and harmonies on the piano.

💡Alphabet

The script uses the term 'alphabet' to refer to the musical notes that are named after the first seven letters of the English alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. These letters are used to name the white keys on the piano, forming the foundation of musical notation and understanding the layout of the keyboard.

💡Sharp

In the context of the video, 'sharp' refers to the musical term used to denote a note that is a half step higher than the natural note. The script explains that black keys are named as sharps when played from left to right, such as C sharp or D sharp. This concept is fundamental in learning how to play melodies that include these altered pitches.

💡Flat

A 'flat' in music is the opposite of a sharp, indicating a note that is a half step lower than the natural note. The script mentions that black keys are named as flats when played from right to left, such as D flat or G flat. Understanding flats is crucial for playing music that requires these lowered pitches.

💡Sustain Pedal

The sustain pedal is a device on a piano or keyboard that allows the notes to continue sounding even after the keys are released. In the script, the instructor demonstrates how the sustain pedal can make the sound of the notes last longer, which is an important tool for creating a more continuous and connected musical performance.

💡Pitch Bend

Pitch bend is a feature on some keyboards that allows the player to alter the pitch of a note by sliding it up or down. The script briefly mentions the pitch bend as an effect that can be used for creating musical variations and adding expression to the performance.

💡Transpose

Transposing in music involves changing the key of a piece without altering the intervals between the notes. The script suggests that the transpose function on a keyboard can be used to learn the rest of the keys, implying that it can help in playing melodies in different keys by shifting the notes up or down.

💡Number System

The number system mentioned in the script refers to the method of assigning numbers to the fingers of the hand, typically from one to five, to help pianists remember which fingers to use for specific notes. This system is crucial for learning proper fingering techniques and is a foundational concept in piano education.

Highlights

Introduction to a beginner's piano course by Aaron, aimed at first-time piano or keyboard users.

Explanation of the keyboard's capabilities to play various sounds, focusing on the piano aspect.

Description of the keyboard layout, emphasizing the pattern of two and three black keys.

Introduction of the 12 replicated keys on the keyboard and their arrangement.

Naming of the white keys using the first three letters of the alphabet: C, D, and E.

Use of the alphabets A-G to name the white keys on the keyboard.

Method to locate key C by finding the first black key and the white key to its left.

Naming of the black keys as sharps when played from left to right.

Dual naming of black keys, such as C sharp or D flat, depending on context.

Importance of memorizing the key names for beginners and the gradual ease with practice.

Differentiation between bass and treble sides of the keyboard and their respective tonal qualities.

Introduction to the sustained pedal and its function to prolong sound.

Description of the pitch bend and modulation wheel for sound effects.

Overview of additional keyboard features like volume, transpose, octave, and shift.

Emphasis on learning all 12 keys using the same method as introduced for the first key.

Teaser for the next course focusing on practical application and playing melodies.

Introduction of the number system for finger placement on the keyboard.

Encouragement to subscribe for further lessons and a thank you note to viewers.

Transcripts

hello welcome to another tutorial with

aaron uh this is a beginner's course my

first uh day with a piano uh this is

your first time of seeing the piano or

the keyboard i'm going to explain to you

what everything here especially these

white and black keys are for you because

mainly that's what you're going to be

using it's going to be a very lengthy uh

quote so stay tuned and we'll be right

back

[Music]

all right now um

if

you have something like this around you

it's called a keyboard you know the

keyboard has the ability to

play different kind of

sounds for you you can get a piano

the strings

guitar bass

cello

flute trumpet sucks you can play

everything on this keyboard but we're

going to be

concentrating on the piano aspect of it

you can use any sound you want later on

so i'm going to be explaining to you the

interface

uh especially the names of these white

and blackies we're going to be

concentrating on this one

not on these

so uh let's get on with it

now if this is your first time of uh

you know

watching my videos i want to make this

as simple as possible

right now

depending on the type of

keyboard you have

you could have yours

extended longer than mine but they are

still the same so nowadays the trick

depending on how your own

is starting from the left

my own could be different could be

different but

these things still remain the same

these two black keys

three black keys

two

three

two

three

two

three they are like that

all right now anywhere you see

two black keys when you come down you're

gonna be seeing three white keys

three

black keys

you will see four

white keys

so adding

the two the three

the three and then the four together

we're going to be getting one two three

four five six seven eight nine ten

eleven twelve

so these are the 12

replicated

keys

on the keyboard for you

all right so for my own i have one

two

three

four replicated twelve keys plus

uh last one we which would have started

from

uh

this key or this note

so that is the

arrangement

and then

for

the names of these white and black keys

let's start with the white

all right

now

we have the very first three

grouped keys

and we know

that these two black keys are there so

let's start with the first

black key

when you descend downwards

the very first white key the name is c

pc now we're going to be using the

alphabet

the alphabets are what we're going to be

using we have a

b

c d

e

f

and g

these

seven

alphabets

a

b

c

d

e

f

and then g

these are the only alphabets we are

going to be using we're going we're not

going to be using

uh h i j no

it ends at g

so if

we want to locate key c let's start with

a c

you look for

the two

black keys anywhere there are two black

keys now the very first black key

move

backwards or downwards or to the left

the very first white key is a key c

so

with this

pc so these two black keys

pc

c

so i have c

c

c

and then sc

so if

uh the

alphabets are supposed to be

a b

sorry let me use this a b c d e f g and

then we end on c

the next alphabet is d

e f

like that so if this is c

and we are continuing with the alphabet

this is going to be

d

e

f

g

and i told you

it ends at g

so if you enter g and then there's a

replication of the keys then this will

definitely start

become an a

b

c and then you still see your two

black keys again so if this was a

now if you want to locate your a let's

use a and then c for that location

um if you want to locate key a

look for the three black keys

okay so you locate three black keys

grouped together

go for the middle one

and then move forward

from

we're moving from left to right so you

move to your right

which is a step

down to the white key and then that

becomes your a so these are three black

keys

middle

forward a

three black keys middle forward a

another three black keys middle forward

a so these are the a notes on the

keyboard

so

a

so now that we know this is our c

and then this is our a let's start the

naming

c

d

[Music]

sorry

sorry

c

[Music]

all right now uh you'll notice that as i

keep on playing

you know the sound decreases so it gets

tinier

all right so this is the base side and

then there's a treble side and this will

be our mid

you know tones

so as it comes

it increases into the bass and as it

goes this way

it decreases into the treble

all right so um

these are the names for the white keys

okay now the black keys

their names are dependent on the white

keys

so they get their names

from

the white keys

and

dependent on

how you are playing whether you are

playing from the left to the right

or from the right to the left

when you are

playing from the left to the right and

you are naming

the black keys

they take the name

sharp

it becomes sharp

s-h-a-r-p

sharp

now when you're playing from the right

to the left

they take on the name flat

all right so let's start from the left

to the right

this is key c

since this key is just directly to this

one

it takes on the name of this white key

[Music]

now the name of if i'm moving to the

left this one becomes c this is c this

one becomes c sharp

sorry

this one becomes c sharp

okay

now

as i said if

you move from

right to left it takes on another name

now the next white key

nearer to it is

the d

key

from the d

if you're moving this way it becomes d

flat

d

flat

so

c

sharp

d

flat

so it has two names c sharp or d flat

now for you as a beginner you would have

to memorize these things

it might not come easy it might come

easy depending on who you are how your

brain functions

but

as time goes on you get it

so

it's a c sharp

b flat

now this same

d

is nearer to this black key so this one

becomes

d sharp

now

the next white kinera to this same note

is an e so c d e this one becomes e

flat

so

this is either c sharp or d flat

and this one is d sharp or e flat

now

c d

e this one is f

f sharp

this is g

g flat

now this same

g g sharp

a

a flat

a

a sharp

b

b flat so you realize that uh the names

of one two three four five can be

mentioned either

with a flat

notation

or a sharp notation so when someone says

give me

uh g flat

you look for key g

now there is a flat

the person could have said f sharp

someone can say d sharp

you're looking for d this is the sharp

another person can say b flat you look

for b and then you flatten the chord or

a step backwards

and then you get your flats

so let's go with it let's get on the

names this way and then get the names

that way also

c

c sharp

d

d sharp e

s

f

g

g sharp a

a sharp

b and then c

so let's come back again

c

b

d flat

a

a flat

g

g flat f

e

e flat

d

d flat

c

all right so this is all for the

introduction

of uh

my first day on the piano how

you know the keys are arranged

all right let me show you something

okay

now

this is called a sustained pedal

all right so

have you seen that when i play the night

immediately the

[Music]

uh

sound stops

but when i

press on this

and then

sorry

the sound sustains

[Music]

okay so does the work of the sustain

pedal

my own is reversed there are some when

you

press on it and then you play it

sustains

but my own

when you press on it it stops so

depending on you know your sustain the

other way around is the most usual one

that when you press on it you step on it

it sustains the

sound

and it's very useful in playing

uh it helps you to

you know

to be

able to get a

sound sustained

all right now this is a pitch bend

okay so is used for effects now this is

a modulation wheel

all right we'll get onto this later on

this

the volume

and then you know

these are

we have the transpose the octave and

then the shift depending on the keyboard

that you're going to be using we'll talk

about transpose later

and

how you can use it to learn

the rest of the other keys but as it

stands

uh this series that i'm

gonna be teaching will

allow you to learn all these 12 keys

[Music]

the same way you learn this key you

learn it the same way so by the time i'm

done with this course you should know

how to play all of them so for example

if you've ever had this

[Music]

so if you

realize we're playing

kissy

and we played

[Music]

now i complete the same key and now play

me

[Music]

so that means i complete the remedy

first so last you do in all the 12 keys

so we are going to be looking at that in

our next

next course

so make sure that you subscribe click on

the link

and then share the videos

uh this a beginner series i'm making

this video for all the 12 keys

it's going to be practical

you know

and

before i forget now

these are my hands and fingers

they are very important

okay so

on the right hand you have five fingers

unless you're on a straw six

which will be an addition if only it can

move

but every normal human being has five

fingers now the thumb is

one

two

three four five so the pinky is always

five the thumb is always one

the

uh

index finger two ring finger sorry

middle finger three

ring finger

four and then

the

pinky

or the last finger the letter one is

five

so is the same as this

it's not because uh this one is starting

this one will become one no the thumb is

always one two three four five

so that is the number system for you now

uh when i played that dory

sorry

[Music]

it's one

[Music]

all right so that is it we're going to

be using the surface which is during

and then we're going to be using one two

three four five six seven

okay for the surface

but your fingers are just five so even

if we wanted to use the remi first so

it will end up so so where uh

is the

platy

the next two

you know it's not possible so

the correlation of the

fingers to the notes

we use the numbers called the number

system

and

it's going to be in the next video so

uh

thank you for watching

and god bless you

[Music]