Beginner Piano Lesson #24

Playing with Expression: Dynamics and Feeling

By Lesson 24, you likely know basic notes, simple chords, and can play a few songs. Now it’s time to make your music sound more expressive.

What Are Dynamics?

Dynamics tell us how loudly or softly 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 Scale

Play a C Major Scale:

• Start very softly (p)
• Gradually get louder as you ascend
• Reach loud (f) at the top
• Gradually get softer as you descend

This develops finger control and musical expression.

Exercise 2: Broken Chords

Right Hand:

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

Play once softly and once loudly while keeping an even rhythm.

Rhythm Practice

Count:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Clap and then play:

• C C G G
• A A G (hold)

Keep a steady beat throughout.

Musical Term of the Day

Crescendo ( < )

Means gradually get louder.

Example:

Play four C notes:

C – C – C – C

Each note slightly louder than the previous one.

Practice Song

Ode to Joy (Opening Phrase)

E E F G

G F E D

C C D E

E D D

Try playing it:

1. Softly
2. Loudly
3. With a crescendo

Practice Goal

Spend 10–15 minutes on:

• 5 minutes: C Major Scale with dynamics
• 5 minutes: Broken chords
• 5 minutes: Ode to Joy with expression

Remember: the correct notes are important, but expression is what makes music come alive.

Quote for the day:
“Music is not in the notes alone, but in the feeling between them.” 🎹🌹

— BJ Nice

Beginner Piano Lesson #23

Playing with Expression: Dynamics and Feeling

By Lesson 23, you’ve likely learned basic notes, simple chords, and reading music. Now it’s time to make your playing sound more musical.

Today’s Focus: Dynamics

Dynamics are the volume changes in music.

Common symbols:

• p (piano) = soft
• mp (mezzo-piano) = moderately soft
• mf (mezzo-forte) = moderately loud
• f (forte) = loud
• < (crescendo) = gradually get louder
• > (diminuendo) = gradually get softer

Exercise 1: Five-Finger Scale

Place your right hand on C-D-E-F-G.

Play:

C – D – E – F – G – F – E – D – C

1. Play softly (p).
2. Play loudly (f).
3. Start soft and gradually get louder to G.
4. Start loud and gradually get softer back to C.

Exercise 2: Chord Practice

Play these chords slowly:

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

Try each chord:

• Softly
• Loudly
• With a smooth crescendo

Simple Song Exercise

Play:

C C G G
A A G

F F E E
D D C

(This is the opening of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.)

Play it once normally, then:

• First phrase soft
• Second phrase louder
• End softly

Practice Tip

A pianist doesn’t just play the correct notes—they tell a story. Even simple songs become beautiful when you vary the volume and expression.

Weekly Challenge

Play a familiar tune and use at least:

• One crescendo
• One diminuendo
• One soft section
• One loud section

Goal: Make the music sound expressive, not mechanical.

🎹 Happy practicing! Lesson #24 will introduce simple left-hand accompaniment patterns to make your songs sound fuller

Beginner Piano Lesson #22

Playing with Expression: Dynamics and Simple Chord Accompaniment

Goal: Learn how to make your music sound more expressive by using dynamics (volume changes) and adding simple left-hand chords.

Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Play these five-finger patterns slowly:

Right Hand (C Position)
C – D – E – F – G – F – E – D – C

Left Hand (C Position)
C – D – E – F – G – F – E – D – C

Keep your fingers curved and relaxed.

---

New Concept: Dynamics

Dynamics tell us how loudly or softly to play.

Exercise

Play:

C – D – E – F – G

Start softly (p) and gradually get louder (crescendo).

Then play:

G – F – E – D – C

Start loud (f) and gradually get softer (diminuendo).

---

Chord Practice

C Major Chord

Notes: C – E – G

G Major Chord

Notes: G – B – D

F Major Chord

Notes: F – A – C

Play each chord four times with your left hand.

---

Simple Song Exercise

Right Hand Melody

C – C – G – G – A – A – G

F – F – E – E – D – D – C

Left Hand Chords

Play slowly and listen to how the chords support the melody.

---

Practice Challenge

Try playing the melody:

• Once softly
• Once loudly
• Once with a gradual crescendo

Notice how the mood changes.

Homework

Practice 10–15 minutes daily:

1. Five-finger warm-up
2. C, F, and G chords
3. Dynamics exercise
4. Song exercise

Piano Tip: Great pianists don’t just play the correct notes—they tell a story through volume and expression.

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♯). 🎹