🎹 Beginner Piano Lesson #1: The Basics

Week One

🎯 Lesson Goals:

• Learn the layout of the piano
• Understand finger numbers
• Play your first simple melody

1. 🧭 Know Your Keyboard

The piano is made up of white and black keys. The black keys are in repeating groups of 2 and 3.

Find Middle C:

• Look for a group of 2 black keys near the center.
• The white key to the left of the first black key in that pair is Middle C.

2. 🖐️ Finger Numbers

Each finger on each hand has a number:

• Thumb = 1
• Index = 2
• Middle = 3
• Ring = 4
• Pinky = 5

You’ll use these to know which fingers to play notes with.

3. 🎵 Play Your First Notes: C-D-E

Place your right-hand thumb (finger 1) on Middle C, and play this:

C - D - E - D - C
1   2   3   2   1

Try to keep your fingers curved and relaxed. Play slowly and evenly.

4. 📖 Practice Tips

• Practice 5–10 minutes a day to build muscle memory.
• Focus on accuracy first, then on speed.
• Use a metronome if you can (start slow: 60 bpm).

✅ What’s Next?

Once you’re comfortable, you can move to:

• Playing C Major Scale
• Reading basic sheet music (treble clef)
• Using both hands together