Introduction to the Keyboard

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Instructor

Jonny May

Course Type

Course

Skill Level

Beginner

Duration

04:41:13

If you’ve never played the piano before, this is where your journey begins. Intro to the Keyboard assumes no prior knowledge. You’ll learn the keyboard layout, every note name, and simple tricks for finding any note quickly. You’ll even play your first groove before the first lesson is over.

Next, you’ll build healthy habits from day one. You’ll learn what the piano pedals do, your finger numbers, good posture and proper technique, plus five warm-ups and stretches that help your hands feel great every time you sit down to play. Then you’ll learn the C position, a simple 5-note hand position that unlocks hundreds of beginner tunes, along with the most common note values you’ll see in beginner sheet music.

From there, every lesson pairs essential finger exercises with a fun tune in a different style. You’ll play Ode to Joy as a swing tune, Mary Had a Little Lamb in a Latin style, original tunes in jazz ballad and pop styles, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star as a blues. You’ll also learn a 3-chord stack position you can use to jam over almost any song. The course finishes with a practical guide to structuring your practice time, so you know how long to practice, what to focus on and when you’re ready for the next course. Downloadable sheet music and backing tracks are included.

Course Objectives

Navigate the keyboard confidently and find any note by name
Develop good posture, proper technique and a healthy warm-up routine
Play in the C position and read the most common note values in beginner music
Build finger control through exercises in stepwise motion, 3-note groupings, chord outlines, 3rds and pivoting off a low note
Play familiar tunes in swing, Latin, jazz ballad, pop and blues styles, and structure your practice for steady progress

Learning Focus

Exercises
Groove
Reading

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Janet Fleming verified

Enjoyable and fun

Jonny is an amazing teacher, learn things I didn’t know. Glad I’ve started again from the beginning.

Joleka Bari verified

great foundation

Janet Fleming verified

Enjoyable

I have played piano along time ago, but really needed to start from the beginning again. Learned already about warm ups, having broken my right hand roller skating about 30 odd years ago, I struggled with the stretch, these exercises are brilliant. Thank you Jonny.

Martin Barratt verified

Perfect even for non beginners

I can see from the comments that I am far from the only experienced player who is loving this starter course. I was opted in at level 3 but re-answered the questions to start here. I have passed grade 5 piano, but have really enjoyed playing Mary had a little lamb, with a bit of style and fun. Great to be starting over and putting the UK exam system behind me.

Merelyn Smith verified

Great beginning to piano with johnny

The course was very understandable and satisfying.

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