Unit 1_Introduction to Playing_Lesson 1

1. Distance

• Sit straight on the front half of the bench with your body weight balanced.
• With your arms extended out, your knuckles should reach the fallboard. If you have to lean, move the bench forward.

2. Seating Height Check

• With shoulders relaxed, place your hands on the keys. Your forearms should be level with keyboard. adjust your seating height up or down, as needed.
• Are you sitting straight, yet with shoulders down and relaxed?

3. Hand Position

• Let your arms hang loosely at your sides. Notice the natural curve of your fingers.
• Now gently place your hands on the keys.

It is important to keep a relaxed, rounded hand position as you play the piano.

 

Finger Numbers

Each finger is given a number--1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The thumb is finger 1.

 

Finger Number Warm-ups:

1. Place your hands in a rounded hand position on your lap.

• Gently "scratch" finger 1's.
• Gently "scratch" finger 2's.
• Gently "scratch" finger 3's.
• Gently "scratch" finger 4's.
• Gently "scratch" finger 5's.

2. With a rounded hand position and firm fingertips:

• Choose any white key and play it with RIGHT HAND finger 1 (thumb), then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5. (Hint: Play the thumb on the side tip.)
• Choose any white key and play it with RIGHT HAND finger 5, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1.
• Choose any white key and play it with LEFT HAND finger 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5.
• Choose any white key and play it with LEFT HAND finger 5, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1. 

The Damper Pedal

Depress the damper pedal with the ball of your right foot.

Keep your heel on the floor and your foot in contact with the surface of the pedal.

• Repeat Finger Number Warm-up 2 above using the damper pedal. Listen to the sustained sound. (Lift the pedal between each example.) 

High and Low on the Keyboard

The piano KEYBOARD has white keys and black keys.
Notice the black keys alternate between groups of two and three.

 
Raindrops (for R.H.)

• Use R.H. fingers 2 and 3 together. Play the 2-black-key groups going UP, then back DOWN the keyboard (higher, then lower).
• Beging and end in the Middle of the keyboard.
• Play piano (softly, sinking gently into the keys). Depress the damper pedal throughout.

piano is the Italian work for soft, quiet.

P is the abbreviation for piano.

Thunder (for L.H.)

• Use L.H. fingers 2 and 3 together. Play the 2-black-key groups going DOWN, then back UP the keyboard (lower, then higher).
• Begin and end in the MIDDLE of the keyboard.
• Play forte (loudly, dropping with the weight of your arm for a deep rich tone). Depress the damper pedal throughout.

forte (pronounced FOR-tay) is the Italian word for loud.

f is the abbreviation for forte.

Amazing Grace 

Words by John Newton Early American melody 

arranged

Play this famous melody to review finger numers.

Note: Numbers below the words indicate L.H. fingers.

          Numbers above the words indicate R.H. fingers.

          Extended lines int he lyrics show held tones. 

          The dots show quickly moving tones.

          Let your familiarity with the melody help guide you.

 

Rhythm

Note values indicated the duration of sound.

These durations are counted with a steady beat, creating RHYTHM.

You may wish to use a metronome for the Rhythm Chart below.

A metronome is a rhythmic device that provides a steady beat.

Adjustable settings allow a faster or slower beat. 

Directions:

1. Tap (or clap) the Rhythm Chart from top to bottom, counting aloud. Feel a steady beat. Each click represents a quarter note.
2. Choose any white key and play the notes in the Rhythm Chart from top to bottom, then bottom to top. Use finger 3. Feel a steady beat as you count and play.

Rhythm Chart

  

quarter note
count: "1"

   

half note

  count: "1-2"

                                            
                                            
                                          

dotted half note

  count: "1-2-3"

  whole note

    count: "1-2-3-4"

             

                                         

Camptown Races

Stephen Foster 

(1826-1864) 

arranged

 

Practiced Suggestions:

1. Tap the rhythm on the closed keyboard cover with the correct hand.

                    L.H. = stem down    R.H. = stem up

2. playing in the middle of the piano, say or sing:

                   a) finger numbers   b) counts   c) words