Learn how to start playing the piano in 5 steps 🎹

Have you always wanted to start playing the piano, but just don't know how?

Are you looking to do something creative with your free time?

Do you want to improve your hand-eye coordination?

Find out if playing the piano is for you!

There are many different ways to get started, depending on your needs, learning preferences, and level of commitment.

Pianos can be expensive, so take time to explore and research which instument is best for you.

Acoustic piano

• Creates an authenic sound

• Requires yearly tuning and servicing

• Cheap, or even free, if you buy second hand

✅ Great if you have the space

Digital piano

• Sounds like an acoustic piano

• Can be used with headphones

• Keys are weighted so feels like a piano

• Cost varies: from $200

✅ Worth investing if you're committed to learning the piano

Keyboard

• Selection of electronic sounds & effects

• Can be used with headphones

• Portable and available in different sizes

• Affordable: under $200

✅ Buy if you're unsure if the piano is for you

Learning how to play the piano doesn't need to be expensive. There's so many different resouces out there. It's up to you how much you spend!

Watch video tutorials

Check out YouTube and TikTok for free beginner piano lessons.

Use an app

Let an app guide you through structured lessons while you learn at your own pace.

Find a teacher

A teacher can make sure your posture and hand positions are on point, while giving you tailored tuition.

Get a tutor book

A beginner's piano book will introduce you to the basics and give you fun tunes to try.

It's pretty unlikely you'll be a piano pro overnight, but with regular practice and a bit of discipline you'll be bashing out your favourite tunes in no time!

So make a plan. You don't have to stick to it religiously, but it'll give you an idea of whether your goals are managable:

📅 When

How often and for how long will I practice?

📍 Where

Do I need a dedicated practice space or will I use a public piano?

💡 How

Will I use a teacher or will I learn at my own pace?

Keys

A standard piano has 88 keys, but some keyboards may have less. These are made up of a mixture of black and white keys.

When your fingers press down the keys, different sounds (known as notes) will be produced. Generally:

• your right hand plays the main melody or tune

• your left hand plays bass notes to support that tune.

Pedals

As a beginner, you don't need to worry about these straight away, but it's good to know they're there!

You'll press pedals with your feet when you need to sustain or alter the sound of the music produced by your fingers.

White Keys

These represent tones in the musical scale and produce the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

Black keys

These produce half-tone notes called flats or sharps. Learn more about the black keys.

Middle C

This is a beginner's best friend and is the first note you'll learn!

Middle C helps you find your way around the piano's keyboard.

1. The white key to the right of middle C is D.

2. To the right of D is E.

3. Continue going up the alphabet until you reach G.

4. After G, the next note is A.

5. Continue going along the alphabet until G and repeat:

Meet Sara and Noah.

They've been talking about how many keys on a standard piano can produce the note "C".

Sara thinks there are 8 keys that play C.

Noah says there are 6 keys that play C.

Take another look at the keys on a standard piano.

Start playing the piano today!