Beginner Piano Lesson #2

(Building on Lesson #1: finding the keys and basic finger placement)

Review

Before starting, find Middle C on your piano or keyboard.

Place your fingers:

Right Hand

• Thumb (1) = C
• Index (2) = D
• Middle (3) = E
• Ring (4) = F
• Pinky (5) = G

Left Hand

• Pinky (5) = C
• Ring (4) = D
• Middle (3) = E
• Index (2) = F
• Thumb (1) = G

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Learn the Quarter Note

A quarter note (♩) gets 1 beat.

Count:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play one key for each count.

Example:

C – D – E – F

Count:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

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Right-Hand Exercise

Play slowly:

C – D – E – F – G

Then back down:

G – F – E – D – C

Repeat 5 times.

Count steadily:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

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First Simple Melody

Play:

C – C – G – G

A – A – G

F – F – E – E

D – D – C

You may recognize this as the beginning of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Play slowly and count each note.

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Rhythm Practice

Clap this rhythm:

♩ ♩ ♩ ♩

Then:

♩ ♩ ♫♫ ♩

Count:

1 2 3-and-4

Learning rhythm is just as important as learning notes.

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Homework

Practice for 10–15 minutes daily:

1. C-D-E-F-G up and down.
2. Twinkle, Twinkle melody.
3. Count out loud while playing.
4. Keep fingers curved and relaxed.

Piano Tip

Play slowly enough that you never make a mistake. Speed comes naturally after accuracy.

Lesson #3 will introduce the C Major Scale and your first chords. 🎹