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!

Jill Morgan verified

Informational yet Fun

Good basic information at a nice pace. Very encouraging that I might just be able to learn chords!

Sergio Duque verified

It feels rewarding to be able to play Songs reading the Sheets

I had learned basic piano a while ago, like 2 years or so ago, and had to stop. I came back to it with PianowithJonny and it feels nice that he starts with the music sheets right away but popular and easy songs to play along. It feels we're actually learning a valuable skill we can continue building on as we move on.

Luann Andrews verified

Worth every minute

Jonny is an encourager, and it makes my heart glow to hear him teach. I love how clear and easy it is to understand everything--I'm an adult who had piano lessons cut short as a teen, and was never able to learn more, but self-taught. Now that I've completed the first course, I feel like learning music is not only going to be a breeze but a sunny day as well. Thank you so much.

Tom Wilson verified

A great foundation

Jonny is clear, simple, and encouraging.

Eden Brown verified

learning alot

I have played before, but this helped remind me of fundamental techniques and exercises.

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