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Beginner Piano Lesson #6

Beginner Piano Lesson #6

Building Confidence with Chords and Melody

Goal: Play a simple melody with left-hand chord accompaniment.

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 – B – A – G – F – G – A – B – C

Repeat 3 times with steady timing.

Review Chords

C Major

  • Notes: C – E – G

F Major

  • Notes: F – A – C

G Major

  • Notes: G – B – D

Practice changing between:

C → F → G → C

Play each chord four times.

Rhythm Exercise

Count:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play a C chord on beat 1 and hold for all four counts.

Repeat with F and G chords.

Simple Song Exercise

Right Hand Melody

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

Left Hand Chords

  • Measure 1: C Major
  • Measure 2: F Major
  • Measure 3: G Major
  • Measure 4: C Major

Play slowly and keep a steady beat.

Music Theory Corner

What is a Measure?

A measure (or bar) is a section of music separated by vertical lines. Most beginner songs use 4 beats per measure.

Example:

| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |

Learning to count measures helps keep your timing accurate.

Practice Challenge

Try playing:

C chord (4 beats)
F chord (4 beats)
G chord (4 beats)
C chord (4 beats)

Without stopping.

Aim for smooth chord changes rather than speed.

Homework

Practice 15–20 minutes daily:

  1. Five-finger warm-up (5 min)
  2. Chord changes C–F–G–C (5 min)
  3. Song exercise (10 min)

Lesson #7 will introduce the C Major Scale and your first simple two-hand song.

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Beginner Piano Lesson #5

Beginner Piano Lesson #5

Playing with Both Hands Together

By Lesson #5, you’re ready to start coordinating your hands while keeping a steady rhythm.

Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Play these five-finger patterns slowly:

Right Hand (RH)

  • C D E F G
  • G F E D C

Left Hand (LH)

  • C B A G F
  • F G A B C

Repeat 3 times.

New Chord: G Major

Notes: G – B – D

Practice these three basic chords:

Chord Notes
C Major C – E – G
F Major F – A – C
G Major G – B – D

Play each chord 4 times.

Rhythm Exercise

Count aloud:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Play:

  • C chord on beat 1
  • Hold for beats 2, 3, and 4

Repeat with F and G chords.

Simple Song Practice

“Ode to Joy” (Beginning)

Right Hand:

E E F G
G F E D
C C D E
E D D

Play slowly and count evenly.

Hands Together Exercise

Left Hand:

  • Play a C chord and hold for 4 beats.

Right Hand:

  • Play C D E F while holding the chord.

Repeat with:

  • F chord + F G A B
  • G chord + G A B C

Musical Tip

Try to keep your fingers curved and relaxed. If you make a mistake, keep going and stay in rhythm. Rhythm is often more important than playing every note perfectly.

Practice Goal for the Week

  • 10–15 minutes per day
  • Practice C, F, and G chords
  • Play the beginning of “Ode to Joy”
  • Try hands-together exercises slowly

🎹 Remember: Slow practice builds fast progress. Every great pianist started with simple exercises just like thes

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Beginner Piano Lesson #4

Beginner Piano Lesson #4

Building Confidence with Chords and Melody

Goal: Learn three basic chords and play a simple tune using both hands.

Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Play these five notes with your right hand:

C – D – E – F – G – F – E – D – C

Keep your fingers curved and relaxed.

Learn Three Major Chords

C Major

Notes: C – E – G

F Major

Notes: F – A – C

G Major

Notes: G – B – D

Play each chord slowly 5 times.

Left-Hand Practice

Play one note at a time:

C – C – C – C

Then:

F – F – F – F

Then:

G – G – G – G

Use your little finger (5) for each bass note.

Simple Song Exercise

Right Hand Melody

C – D – E – C
C – D – E – C
E – F – G

Left Hand Chords

C Major | C Major | F Major

Play slowly and count:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Rhythm Exercise

Clap and count:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Then play a C chord on every number:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Music Tip

The three most important beginner chords are:

  • C Major
  • F Major
  • G Major

Thousands of songs use these chords.

Practice Assignment

  1. Warm-up scale (5 times)
  2. C, F, and G chords (5 times each)
  3. Melody exercise (3 times)
  4. Try creating your own 4-note melody

Practice Time: 10–15 minutes daily.

“Slow practice creates fast progress.” 🎹

 
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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. 🎹