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Lesson Six: 7 New Notes

As we did when we learned how to find notes on the piano, we'll start with the letter C. Here is middle C written as a musical note:

This C is a half-note, so we would hold it down for two beats.

In this example, the first two C's are quarter-notes, and they would each get one beat. The third C is a half-note, and it would get two beats. You see that the total number of beats in the measure is four beats, which is exactly what we're told in the time signature it should be.

The C's in the above example are written on the top staff (the Treble staff), so their stems point up. In the below example, the C's are written on the bottom staff (the Bass staff), so their stems will point down.

Middle C can be placed on either staff, depending on the song. Notes above middle C are almost always placed on the Treble staff, and notes below middle C are almost always placed on the Bass staff, like in the following example.:

[Click on all images to see them full-size.]

The next two notes you'll learn are D and E. Here is an illustration of where they are found on the staff:

D is right above the C note, and E is placed right above the D note. Below is a piece that includes C, D, and E:

If you were reading the notes aloud, you would read: C, C, C, C, C, C, C, D, E, D, C, C, C

Click on the image above and print it out. Play it 4 times through, saying the notes aloud as you go. Make sure you use the correct hand for each note. Use the the right hand for the first measure, the left hand for the second measure, the right hand for the third measure, and in the last measure, you would use your left hand for the first C, your right hand for the second C, and your left hand for the last C.

After playing the piece through 4 times that way, play it through 4 more times, but now concentrate on keeping time. Hold the quarter notes (the black ones) for 1 count each, and hold the half notes (the clear ones) for two counts each.

Now play it through two more times, focusing on your fingering this time. The first three notes will be played with your right thumb, since the number 1 sits above the top staff in the first measure. The second measure will be played with your left thumb, since the number 1 sits below the bottom staff. The third measure will be played with your right hand, since the numbers are above the Treble staff, and you will use three different fingers in the third measure: your right thumb, your right pointer finger, and your right middle finger. In the last measure, you will use your left thumb, then your right thumb, then your left thumb. The very last note does not have a number below it, but since the stem points down, you know it will be played with your left hand.

Now, play it through 1 more time, combining all aspects of playing. Concentrate on hitting the right notes, holding the notes for the correct number of beats, and using the correct fingering.

Okay, the next two notes you'll learn to find on the staff are the A and B immediately below middle C.

B is the note below middle C and A is the note below B. Above is a piece that includes A, B, and C.

Here is a piece of music that includes all five notes that you have learned so far. Please print it out. Play it at least 5 times, and concentrate on playing the notes, holding them for the specified number of beats, and using the correct fingers for each note.

TIP: When playing music, move your eye, then your hand. Something that many students struggle with is moving their hands without knowing exactly where they are going. Try to keep your eyes at least 1 note ahead of your hands.

Lesson Seven: A Few Musical Symbols and Terms

Emily Sigers
emily@thepianopages.com