HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO!

THE BASICS

By Carolyn L'Huillier, ED 205

Section 2

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WHAT WE WILL LEARN

The Piano

Note Names and Sounds

STARTING OUT

CHORDS

SCALES

READING MUSIC!

Whole Notes

Half Notes

Quarter Notes

READING MUSIC

THE END

About Me!

RESOURCES!

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The Piano
The piano has 88 keys, which are black and white.
There are 7 different notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G
There are also flat and sharp version of each note,
which change the tone of the note slightly.

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Note Names and Sounds

Each note makes a different sound.
Each sound has been given a name to make it easier to
learn.

C = Do
D = Re
E = Mi
F = Fa
G = So
A = La
B = Ti
Perhaps you remember seeing this in the Sound of Music
(Click for Video)

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STARTING OUT

You can play with both hands at the same time!

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION!

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CHORDS
Definition: When you play a chord on the piano, you play three notes
together.
Example: You play C, E, and G at the same time. This is called a C
Major Chord.

Click for an example

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SCALES

Definition: When you play a scale on the piano, you begin on one note
and play up or down until you reach that same note again.
Example: You begin on C and play D, E, F, G, A, B, and then end on C
again. This is called the C Major scale.

Click for an example

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READING MUSIC!
With practice, you will be able to read music on paper while
you play it on the piano.
Here are some of the things you need to know:
Notes can be given values, which will tell you how long to
play them before moving on to the next note.
Some of the most common note values are:
Whole Notes
Half Notes
Quarter Notes
Eighth Notes

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Whole Notes
Definition: A whole note lasts for four beats.
Example: When you are playing the piano and know a note is a
whole note, you hold the note and count for four beats before
playing the next note.
A picture of a whole note:

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Half Notes
Definition: A half note lasts for two beats, or half the time of a
whole note.
Example: When you are playing the piano and know a note is a
half note, you hold the note and count for two beats before playing
the next note.
A picture of a half note:

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Quarter Notes
Definition: A quarter note lasts for one beat, or a fourth of the time
of a whole note.
Example: When you are playing the piano and know a note is a
quarter note, you hold the note and count for one beat before
playing the next note.
A picture of a quarter note:

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READING MUSIC
Now that you have learned the notes, you need to learn where you
put them on paper! Below is a picture of what it looks like:

Treble Clef: You would play

this with your right hand.

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Bass Clef: You would play

this with you left hand.

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THE END

That's it for now! Next time, we'll learn more about Treble
Cleft, Bass Cleft, and the different scales and chords. Now,
go and practice!

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About Me!
My name is Carolyn L'Huillier. I am a Junior at
Grand Valley State University, working towards
my Bachelors Degree in Special Education. I am
originally from Traverse City, MI where I was
enormously involved with my high school music
program. Two things that keep me going are
basketball season and going to movies. Those,
along with my friends, pretty much make up my
life!
Email me!

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RESOURCES!
http://abcteach.com/directory/clip_art/music/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music-flat.png
http://www.ehow.com/how_4514041_read-sheet-music.html
http://musiced.about.com/od/toppicksandreviews/ss/cellobrands_10.htm
http://musicianinyou.com/music-basics.php
http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/PMU1589.php
http://www. youtube.com
www.enchantedlearning.com/.../answers.shtml
http://wheatsbassbook.org/chapter_select.php?chapter=book003
http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/music/piano.shtml

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