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
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
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
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.
Rhythm Practice
Clap this rhythm:
♩ ♩ ♩ ♩
Then:
♩ ♩ ♫♫ ♩
Count:
1 2 3-and-4
Learning rhythm is just as important as learning notes.
Homework
Practice for 10–15 minutes daily:
- C-D-E-F-G up and down.
- Twinkle, Twinkle melody.
- Count out loud while playing.
- 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. 🎹
