Molly Ayala
Learning to play the electric piano is an exciting endeavour. With the right tools and mindset, you can go from a beginner to a professional. The first step is to get a piano or keyboard. While an acoustic piano is a good option, it can be expensive and bulky. A digital piano or keyboard is a great alternative as it's more cost-effective, portable, and easier to maintain. Once you have your instrument, familiarise yourself with the keys and their names, and understand the pattern they follow. Learn the seven musical notes and simple chord combinations, and practice playing with both hands. Utilise online resources, such as interactive lessons, YouTube tutorials, and sheet music, to enhance your learning. Remember to enjoy the process and immerse yourself in the music. With dedication and practice, you'll be playing beautiful melodies on your electric piano in no time!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Learning style | Online classes, video tutorials, interactive lessons, and exercises with real-time feedback |
| Learning tools | Software, apps, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, smart pianos |
| Piano type | Acoustic, electric, or digital |
| Piano features | Portability, cost-effectiveness, sound effects, song recording system, touch-sensitive keys |
| Learning approach | Learning notes, hand posture, finger placement, chords, octaves, and scales |
| Learning resources | YouTube, Udemy, Virtual Sheet Music, Flowkey, Simply Piano, Piano Marvel, Playground Sessions, Skoove |
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What You'll Learn
Learn the notes and keys
Learning the notes and keys is an important step in your electric piano journey. The piano keyboard has 88 keys, spanning 7 octaves. The notes are arranged in octaves, with each octave consisting of eight notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. These notes correspond to the white keys on the piano, and the pattern repeats at different octaves from the highest-pitched to the lowest-pitched notes.
To get started, learn the names of the seven musical notes by heart: do (C), re (D), mi (E), fa (F), sol (G), la (A), and ti (B). Once you have memorized this sequence, find these notes on the piano keyboard. Notice that each of these notes is a white key. The black keys will be addressed later.
A helpful way to find the other notes is to count the white keys from the ones you already know. For example, mi is two white keys after do, and sol is one white key after fa. You can also use songs to help you memorize the location of the notes. Most songs consist of chords, which are sets of notes played simultaneously. Basic chords are represented by chord letters, which can also represent single notes.
Another method for mastering the piano keys is to focus on landmark notes. Instead of trying to memorize every note, identify key landmark notes on each staff. For example, the treble G and bass F can be found by examining the clefs. Once you've found these landmark notes, you can count up or down from them to find other notes.
Additionally, you can practice interval recognition. Intervals refer to the distance between two notes. For example, a "third" is a common interval where you hop from one line to the next line or from one space to the next. A "step" or "second" is the smallest movement, like moving from C to D. Recognizing these intervals will help you read sheet music more efficiently.
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Hand and finger positioning
When it comes to finger placement, you must number the fingers on your right and left hands. For example, to play the chord of C major (C) in the left hand, you would use your little finger for do, the middle finger for mi, and the middle finger for sol (LH: 5 – 3 – 1). You can also play five-finger patterns all over the keyboard, in many different keys. First, try this without notes to learn the geography of the keyboard, and then with notes using "landmark notes" to find your way.
Additionally, it's important to develop motor skills with both hands. On many occasions, you will need to play a tune with your right hand while playing different notes or chords with your left hand. This coordination between the hands is an important study for anyone wishing to learn how to play the piano.
Finally, it's worth noting that the black keys play either sharps (#) or flats (b). They come in either pairs or trios. When you see a # on a piece, that means you have to play the next higher key. A b, on the other hand, means you need to play the next lower key.
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Play chords and octaves
Playing chords and octaves is an important aspect of learning the electric piano, as it adds depth and richness to your sound. While it is not necessary to play octaves to learn the piano, it is recommended, as it can instantly improve your sound, even at a beginner level. Playing chords and octaves can also help you memorise the notes on the piano early in your studies.
To play chords, you must first learn the names of the seven musical notes: do (C), re (D), mi (E), fa (F), sol (G), la (A), and ti (B). These notes are all played on white keys, and the other keys on the piano are the same notes but in different octaves, going from the highest-pitched to the lowest-pitched notes. Once you have memorised these notes, you can learn to play chords, which are a set of notes played at the same time. Basic chords are represented by chord letters, which can represent single notes or groups of notes. For example, an A Major chord is made up of two A notes in an octave.
To play octaves, you can start by pulling up the song you want to play along with its chord notation. You will play the chords with your right hand, and for each new chord, you will play the root note (the note the chord is named after) with your left hand on the bass line. You can then play the same exact note farther to the right on your piano. Playing octaves in your left hand adds in the bass notes, which gives your sound a nice grounding.
Octaves can be used to create different effects in your music. By switching octaves during a song, you can add drama or release tension, build to a climax, or create a peaceful resolution. To switch octaves, simply move a section of chords or bass notes up or down on your keyboard, keeping your fingers in the same positions and pressing the same notes, just in a lower or higher place.
Practising scales and triads in octaves during your warm-ups, as well as solid and broken four-note chords, can help improve your octave technique and build strength throughout your hand. It is important to be aware of your body posture and hand position when playing octaves to prevent tension and injury, especially if you have small hands.
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Choose the right electric piano
Choosing the right electric piano is an important decision, and there are many factors to consider. Firstly, it is crucial to do your research and not rely solely on reviews, as electric pianos are complex machines with many features to consider. Set a budget and consider the purpose of the piano, whether it is for practising, performing, or both.
The sound quality of an electric piano is a key factor. Samples of acoustic piano sounds are used in electric pianos, and the higher the quality of these samples, the more realistic and accurate the sound. Some pianos offer a range of piano sounds, from "concert" to "mellow", and can also include sounds like electric piano, jazz organ, strings, and choir. The wattage of the speakers is an important indicator of sound quality, with higher wattage generally indicating better sound. Some electric pianos also have built-in speakers, while others require an external amplifier or PA system. Consider whether you want the ability to connect your piano to your phone or tablet.
The action or response of the keys is another important feature. Weighted keys are solid wood-like keys that respond like a traditional piano, while unweighted keys are easier to push down and are better for electronic music. The firmness and resistance of the keys, known as the "action", vary across models, so it is worth testing different options to find the one that suits your preferences and playing style.
Finally, consider the aesthetics of the piano. Does it look nice and enhance the room? Some electric pianos are designed to resemble a small baby grand piano, adding a stylish touch to your space.
Some recommended brands for electric pianos include Yamaha, Roland, Casio, Kawai, and Korg, offering options across different price points.
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Use online resources
There are many online resources available to help you learn to play the electric piano. One option is to use a virtual piano, such as VirtualPiano.net, which offers a web app for mobile and tablet devices. The platform enables you to play the piano instantly on your device, with music sheets that use the plain English alphabet and simple semantics, so you can play in less than a minute. You don't need to know how to read music notation or have played the piano before. Virtual Piano is free to use and is played by more than 19 million people a year.
Another option is to use an app such as flowkey, which offers interactive practice of notes and chords with instant feedback. The app listens to your playing and waits for you to hit the right notes, and you can also watch an expert pianist play and follow sheet music on the same screen. You can play at reduced speed to get comfortable with a piece. Flowkey also covers music theory, mastering chords, and how to read sheet music. The app is free to try, with no obligations.
You could also try Recursive Arts, which offers a virtual piano that can be played with your keyboard or mouse on desktop/laptop computers, or by touching the piano keys on mobile devices. This platform also offers a collection of free interactive songs and the ability to record and save your own music compositions.
Additionally, you can use online resources to find a MIDI keyboard to pair with a virtual piano, such as the M-Audio Keystation MK3, which offers 5 octaves (61 keys) and lightweight design with USB connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to learn the names of the seven musical notes: do (C), re (D), mi (E), fa (F), sol (G), la (A) and ti (B). These notes are all found on the white keys, and the black keys are used to play sharps or flats.
There are many ways to learn to play the piano, such as free online classes, paid online courses, YouTube tutorials, or evening lessons. It is also important to practice playing and to listen to recorded songs and try to play them simultaneously.
It is generally recommended to learn on a keyboard instead of an acoustic piano due to the maintenance involved with acoustic pianos. Digital pianos are also portable, cost-effective, and can offer the feel of playing a grand piano.
