The most difficult part of figuring out how to teach yourself to play piano is learning to read music. If you have no musical background, the piano can be particularly challenging, although far from impossible. Anyone with a basic reading comprehension level can learn to play the piano without formal instruction.
The 88 keys that make up the piano’s keyboard consist of 52 white and 36 black keys. Initially you want to focus on learning how to play the white keys. It’s best if you have a firm understanding of the placement of the white keys before you add in the black keys (sharps and flats) to your efforts.
Middle C is the center of all things when it comes to playing the piano. If you plan to teach yourself to play piano you will want to be able to locate middle C. In order to find it the first time, you might consider sitting at the piano like you’re about to play it and then counting the first 40 white keys from the left.
To recognize it after you’re found middle C the first time, you have to study the formation of the black keys. These are found in sets. The black keys are arranged with two keys, then two white keys, the then three black keys. The white key that sits to the left of the set of two black keys is a C note.
Learning the C note is imperative as it is the most recognizable and it leads to the other notes. Starting from C, your scale goes up to A like this: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. This repetitive pattern is how you learn to recognize the notes necessary for playing any song on the piano.
If you’re going to teach yourself to play piano you are going to need a good source of reliable information to take you through each stage. Your initial efforts will be your foundation, and the stronger your foundation is the more accomplished you are likely to become.
Mike Eggers is an amateur musician and piano player who writes about how to Start Playing Piano. Make sure to check out his other articles, especially if you’re looking to teach yourself to play piano or want Black Southern Gospel Piano Lessons.
