Beginner Piano Lesson #21

Playing with Expression: Dynamics

So far, you’ve learned notes, rhythm, chords, and simple songs. Now it’s time to make your music sound more musical by using dynamics (how loud or soft you play).

New Musical Terms

• p (Piano) = play softly
• f (Forte) = play loudly
• mf (Mezzo Forte) = moderately loud
• mp (Mezzo Piano) = moderately soft

Exercise 1: Soft and Loud

Using Middle C:

1. Play Middle C four times softly (p).
2. Play Middle C four times loudly (f).
3. Alternate:
   • Soft × 4
   • Loud × 4
   • Soft × 4

Listen carefully to the difference.

Exercise 2: Five-Finger Pattern

Right Hand:

• C – D – E – F – G
• G – F – E – D – C

Play:

• Up softly (p)
• Down loudly (f)

Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 3: Crescendo and Diminuendo

• Crescendo ( < ) = gradually get louder.
• Diminuendo ( > ) = gradually get softer.

Play:
C – D – E – F – G (getting louder)

Then:
G – F – E – D – C (getting softer)

Practice Song

Play:

C C G G
A A G

F F E E
D D C

Try the first line softly and the second line a little louder.

Homework

Practice for 10–15 minutes:

• Five-finger pattern: 5 minutes
• Crescendo exercise: 5 minutes
• Practice making the same melody sound soft, medium, and loud: 5 minutes

Piano Tip

Good pianists don’t just play the correct notes—they make the notes sing. Dynamics are one of the easiest ways to add emotion and beauty to your music.

Next Lesson #22: Introduction to the G Major Scale (one sharp: F♯). 🎹

Beginner Piano Lesson #20

Review, Chords, and Melody Together

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Play the C Major Scale:
   • C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
   • Then back down.
2. Play each note slowly with the right hand, then the left hand.

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Chord Review

C Major Chord

• Notes: C – E – G

F Major Chord

• Notes: F – A – C

G Major Chord

• Notes: G – B – D

Practice changing between:

C → F → G → C

Play each chord four times slowly.

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Rhythm Exercise

Count aloud:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play:

• C chord on beat 1
• F chord on beat 1 of the next measure
• G chord on beat 1 of the next measure
• Return to C chord

Keep a steady tempo.

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Simple Melody

Right Hand:

C – D – E – D | C – D – E – D

E – F – G – G | E – D – C

Try to play the melody while holding the chords in the left hand:

• C chord for the first line
• F chord for “E – F – G – G”
• C chord for “E – D – C”

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Ear Training

Can you hear the difference between:

• C Major (happy, settled)
• G Major (wants to return home to C)

Play both and listen carefully.

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Challenge

Create your own 4-measure song using:

• Notes: C, D, E, F, G
• Chords: C, F, and G

There are no wrong answers—just experiment and have fun.

Practice Goal

15–20 minutes:

• 5 min scales
• 5 min chords
• 5 min melody
• 5 min creating your own tune

Piano Tip: Smooth chord changes are more important than speed. Play slowly and accurately, and speed will come naturally. 🎹

Beginner Piano Lesson #19

Playing with Expression: Dynamics and Feeling

By Lesson 19, you’ve likely learned basic notes, simple chords, scales, and rhythm patterns. Now it’s time to make your music sound more expressive.

What Are Dynamics?

Dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play.

Common dynamic markings:

• pp = very soft (pianissimo)
• p = soft (piano)
• mp = moderately soft
• mf = moderately loud
• f = loud (forte)
• ff = very loud (fortissimo)

Exercise 1: Dynamic Control

Play a C major scale:

1. Ascend softly (p)
2. Descend loudly (f)
3. Repeat, gradually getting louder going up and softer going down.

Focus on keeping the notes even.

Exercise 2: Simple Chord Progression

Play each chord four times:

• C Major (C-E-G)
• F Major (F-A-C)
• G Major (G-B-D)
• C Major (C-E-G)

Try:

• First round: soft
• Second round: loud
• Third round: start soft and gradually get louder

Rhythm Practice

Count aloud:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Play middle C on every number and clap on every “&”.

This improves timing and coordination.

Ear Training

Listen to a favorite song and ask:

• Is it loud or soft?
• Does it change volume?
• Which section feels strongest?

Learning to hear dynamics helps your own playing.

Practice Goal (10–15 Minutes)

• 3 min: C major scale
• 4 min: Chord progression
• 3 min: Rhythm exercise
• 5 min: Play a simple song using soft and loud dynamics

Tip of the Day

A piano isn’t just about playing the right notes—it’s about making the notes tell a story. Even a simple melody sounds beautiful when you vary the volume and expression.

Next Lesson (#20): Introduction to the G Major Scale and the F♯ note. 🎹

Beginner Piano Lesson #18

Building Confidence with Chords and Melody

Goal: Play a simple melody while using left-hand chords.

Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Play these five-finger patterns slowly:

Right Hand

• C D E F G F E D C
• G A B C D C B A G

Left Hand

• C B A G F G A B C
• G F E D C D E F G

Keep your fingers curved and wrists relaxed.

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Chord Review

Practice these three basic chords:

C Major

• C – E – G

F Major

• F – A – C

G Major

• G – B – D

Play each chord four times with your left hand.

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Rhythm Exercise

Count aloud:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Clap this rhythm:

Quarter Note – Quarter Note – Half Note

Count:

1 2 3-4

Repeat several times until comfortable.

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Melody Practice

Right Hand:

C C G G | A A G –

F F E E | D D C –

This is the opening phrase of a familiar children’s song.

Play slowly and evenly.

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Hands Together

Left Hand Chords: