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!

Haja Ralitera verified

Excellent

Very good for 8yo kids

Giorgio Polvara verified

The right balance between challenging and fun

Every song and exercise looked too hard in the beginning and then slowly became manageable with every repetition. I feel more confident I can take on the following challenges now!

Jeffrey Reddekopp verified

Good pace but challenging

I'm not a total beginner but have had no formal training. This course was just challenging enough to never be easy, but also never too hard. I already notice a difference when playing outside of the lessons on my own. Starting to development more hand independence and improving at reading music.

Joseph Shonga verified

The best way to get started

Enjoyed the lessons exercises and the tunes very amazing

Pete Lee verified

First Lessons

I decide to go with Johnny after watching several other youtube teachers. He was recommended by a jazz piano player I know. I enjoyed the mix of techniques and theory that builds on the lesson. I still need to work on the exercises and songs before moving to the next lesson.

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