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!

Alan McCormick verified

Definitely complete even for experienced piano players

The exercises and songs are fantastic and would benefit any level of piano learner. The exercises before each song really program the fingers and mind as preparation. The backing tracks are essential for practice and teamed with a program like forScore you can alter sped and volume of track for each song/exercise - excellent!

Patricia Hughes verified

I particularly enjoy the backing tracks!

I enjoy seeing the score as the lesson progresses.

WM Fung verified

Love the lessons esp the groove sessions.

I have been looking for lessons which allow me to learn from scratch on how to switch from classical to contemporary style of piano playing. This is exactly what I want to have.

Diogo Moreira verified

Very Nice

Nice exercices

Anastasios Dimitriadis verified

Loved it

I really like the part with the stock chords and how to follow a lead sheet in different styles. It would be helpful if the backing track could be a little louder and had a pause and play button.

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