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!

Dante Lombardo verified

fun

very nice

Regis Bernaers verified

Perfect starting point

Amazing, how Jonny explains the basics, Top Job!

Sandra Void verified

Fun and Challenging

I enjoyed understanding how important it is to stretch be fore practicing. I really enjoyed all the exercises and knowing that I can learn how to play any song in any style. I hope yo include Ode to Joy in my 2023 Christmas Cantata.

Daniel Moran verified

I’m glad I started at the very beginning.

I originally ticked much higher because I thought I knew a fair bit. However, I’m very glad I got curious about the very beginner lessons because even at this beginner teaching level that Jonny offers, I found so many little Gems of inspiration. I was able to put together a voicing of Elton John’s Goodbye Norma Jean using just the voicing technique of Jonny’s introduction beginner lesson. Honestly, if you have been studying music/composing/ piano etc, for sometime or longer, then ( speaking for myself), you might be short changing yourself if you don’t check out EVERYTHING that PianoWithJonny has to offer. I found myself working and inspired, a refresher course if you will. Jonny makes learning so easy, you feel it’s so achievable and that’s a very satisfying place to be within yourself. I can’t wait to discover the musical gold that will be found on this fantasic musical journey. If only I had of started PianoWithJonny 10 years ago or even a couple of years ago, but every journey they say starts with one step and I’m just happy that , that step for me is NOW.

Daniel Moran verified

Fantastic!

Discovering and rediscovering all the little gems.

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