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Beginner Piano Lesson #3

Beginner Piano Lesson #3

Learning the C Major Scale & Simple Melody Playing

Review

Before starting, make sure you can:

  • Identify Middle C.
  • Play the notes C-D-E-F-G with your right hand.
  • Count steady quarter notes: 1-2-3-4.

The C Major Scale

The C Major Scale uses only the white keys:

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Right-Hand Fingering

 
C = 1 (thumb)
D = 2
E = 3
F = 1 (thumb tucks under)
G = 2
A = 3
B = 4
C = 5
 

Practice slowly:

 
C D E F G A B C
C B A G F E D C
 

Rhythm Exercise

Play each note for one beat:

 
C  D  E  F
1  2  3  4

G  A  B  C
1  2  3  4
 

Use a slow, steady count.

Simple Melody: “Ode to Joy” (First Phrase)

Right Hand:

 
E E F G
G F E D
C C D E
E D D
 

Play slowly and count:

 
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2
 

Ear Training

Listen and identify:

  • Does the note go higher or lower?
  • Play C then G.
  • Play G then C.
  • Notice the difference in pitch.

Practice Assignment (10–15 Minutes)

  1. C Major Scale up and down – 5 times.
  2. Rhythm exercise – 3 times.
  3. “Ode to Joy” phrase – 5 times.
  4. End by playing:
 
C - E - G - C
 

This creates a pleasant C Major sound.

Piano Tip

Keep your fingers gently curved, like you’re holding a small ball. Let your wrists stay relaxed and level with the keyboard.

Next Lesson (#4):
Playing with the left hand and your first two-hand exercise. 🎹

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Beginner Piano Lesson #2

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:

  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. 🎹

 
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Beginner Piano Lesson #1: The Basics

🎹 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