Playing the piano by numbers is a simple beginning method of learning to play. This method enables you to become familiar with melody and rhythm on the piano without the added burden of having to know standard musical notation. While it is advantageous to learn standard musical notation if you plan to advance as a pianist, learning by numbers may be a good way to start to build your confidence and enjoyment of the instrument.
Things You'll Need:
- Stickers (Optional)
- Piano
Determine where middle C is on the piano. This is a white key that is located to the left of a set of two black keys at the center part of the piano.
Attach a "1" sticker to middle C. You can find numbered stickers (or blank stickers on which you can write numbers) at many craft, office supply and teacher supply stores. If you don't want to attach stickers to your piano, just make a mental note that middle C is No. 1.
Attach stickers or make mental observations concerning the following notes, which progress in order to the right of middle C: D=2, E=3, F=4, G=5, A=6, B=7, high C=8, high D=9, high E=10, high F=11 and high G=12.
Begin playing simple songs by using these numbered notes. You can find simple songs in instructional books or online. Examples of two such songs are "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Ode to Joy."
"Twinkle Twinkle":
1,1,5,5,6,6,5--4,4,3,3,2,2,1--5,5,4,4,3,3,2--5,5,4,4,3,3,2--1,1,5,5,6,6,5--4,4,3,3,2,2,1.
Ode to Joy:
7,7,8,9,9,8,7,6,5,5,6,7,7,6,6---7,7,8,9,9,8,7,6,5,5,6,7,6,5,5, 6,6,7,5,6,7,8,7,5,6,7,8,7,6,5,6,2---7,7,8,9,9,8,7,6,5,5,6,7,6,5,5
Writer Bio
Charlotte Johnson is a musician, teacher and writer with a master's degree in education. She has contributed to a variety of websites, specializing in health, education, the arts, home and garden, animals and parenting.
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