Playing the piano
A
s we have observed, there are seven
different white keys (notes): A, B, C, D, E,
F and G. For each set of seven white keys
however, there are only five black keys.
Each of the black keys can be known by either its
sharp name, or its flat name. Remember, the ‘flat’ of
a white key is always below the note, and the ‘sharp’
is always above.
The black key used in the F major scale is the note
Bb which replaces B for that scale. In other scales,
the same black note might be referred to as an A#.
In this way, some scales use the flat names for the
black notes used, and some use the sharp names,but they will never use both. Adding together the
seven white keys or notes, with the five black keys
gives us the sum total of 12 notes each with its own
unique pitch or sound frequency.
There are 12 different major scales in all, one
beginning on each of the 12 notes. You have alreadyseen how to play C major, the scale with no sharps
or flats and F major, having one flat. The next scale
to learn is G major. This scale also contains a single
black key, but this time it is referred to as a sharp.
The sharp note in G major is F#, located between the
F and G keys.The G major scale
The major scale that’s a fifth after C has just
one sharp: F sharp“Some scales use the flat names for the black
notes used and some use the sharp names,
but they will never use both”
01 The right hand
Start with your thumb on G (four notes above middle C) and follow the pattern:
G (1), A ( 2 ), B (3), C (1) (tuck), D ( 2 ), E (3), F# (4), G (5). Notice that the fingering
pattern is the same as C major. Descend in reverse order.02 The left hand
Begin with your small finger on the G situated two octaves below the right hand
starting G, and follow the same fingering pattern that you learned for C major:
G (5), A (4), B (3), C ( 2 ), D (1), E (3) (bring over thumb), F# ( 2 ), G (1). Now descend.1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 15 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5Audio file
Listen to the audio files
and follow along on your
own keyboardGive it a try