Keyboard Lessons: A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Learn How to Play Famous Songs and Enhance Your Keyboard Playing Skills

By Jessica Gilbert

Welcome to the world of piano playing! You may be feeling nervous, but don't worry; you've come to the right place. This guide is here to help you embark on your musical journey, regardless of whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner. With expert guidance, you'll have all the necessary information and resources to become a skil

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Gilbert
• Release date: Jul 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088195406

Book preview

Introduction

Welcome to the world of piano playing! You may be feeling nervous, but don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place. This guide is here to help you embark on your musical journey, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner. With expert guidance, you’ll have all the necessary information and resources to become a skilled keyboard player.

Starting something new can be intimidating, especially if you have no prior experience. However, with this guide by your side, you’ll have all the knowledge and skills you need to confidently start your musical journey. Whether you want to play for leisure, as a pastime, or to make a living as a musician, this guide will allow you to realize your musical potential as a keyboard player.

Are you ready to take your keyboard skills to the next level? Then you’re in the right place! With some practice and expert advice, you’ll be playing all your favorite piano songs in no time. You’ll have support every step of the way.

You’ll learn how to hold your hands, move your fingers, and stand straight. Scales and chords will be the starting point so you can build a strong foundation for your playing. As you progress, we’ll cover more advanced concepts and work together to develop your unique style.

Now, it’s time to have some fun and play some music! You’ll learn how to read music notation so you can play everything from classical works to modern pop tunes. To add your own flair and individuality to your performances, you’ll receive advice on how to breathe life into the songs you play.

So, are you ready to start your musical journey? Let’s begin!

Chapter 1 of this book covers Keyboard Types and Selection. The first section explores the various types of keyboards available, including mechanical, membrane, and ergonomic keyboards. The chapter then delves into the factors that should be considered when selecting a keyboard, such as intended use, budget, ergonomics, and additional features. To aid in wise decision-making, the chapter provides recommendations for entry-level keyboard models based on the aforementioned factors.

Chapter 2, Setting Up Your Workspace, provides valuable information on how to create an ideal workspace environment for keyboard use. The first section explains how to choose the right workspace environment, taking into account lighting, noise levels, and ergonomics. The next section covers essential keyboard accessories such as wrist rests, mouse pads, and palm grips that can enhance the comfort and productivity of your workspace. The chapter concludes with tips on maintaining your keyboard, including cleaning, storing, and protecting it from damage. It also offers practical advice to help readers create a comfortable and productive workspace that supports their keyboard use.

Chapter 3 covers the fundamentals of keyboard play. It starts with an explanation of the keyboard layout and key names before moving on to playing with one hand, practicing fundamental skills, and gaining hand independence. To play effectively and avoid damage, the chapter emphasizes the importance of learning proper hand position, including posture, finger positioning, and hand movements. Finally, it lays the foundation for readers to develop keyboard proficiency and gain player confidence.

Chapter 4, Understanding Music Theory, explores the basics of musical notation and the connection between notes on the staff and the keyboard. It covers the placement of notes on the keyboard, fundamental chords, various chord types, and musical applications for each. The chapter ends with an introduction to time signatures and rhythms, including how they are expressed and understood in sheet music and how they are used to produce various musical styles. Readers will gain an understanding of music theory and how it applies to keyboard playing.

Chapter 5 is devoted to Warm-up and Practice Exercises. The chapter emphasizes the importance of warm-up exercises for getting the hands and fingers ready for keyboard performance. It then covers finger dexterity exercises and methods for enhancing speed, agility, and control. It concludes with exercises for strengthening and coordinating fingers, including strategies for boosting particular fingers and drills for improving hand and finger coordination. This chapter provides a comprehensive list of exercises to help readers develop their keyboarding abilities over time.

Chapter 6, Learning Popular Songs, discusses how to choose the best songs to learn, taking into account factors such as difficulty level, individualized taste, and musical style. It also covers understanding song structure, including recognizing and playing various song segments such as verses, choruses, and solos. It concludes with advice on how to perform challenging tunes, including mastering difficult chords, rhythmic patterns, and musical styles. This chapter provides readers with the tools and methods they need to learn and play a wide variety of well-known songs on the piano.

Chapter 7, Improving Your Performance Skills, begins with a discussion of the two-handed playing method, including exercises for hand independence and control. It also covers infusing dynamics and emotion into your playing, including methods on how to give your performances nuance, feeling, and character. The chapter ends by discussing the importance of developing stamina and endurance, including exercises for improving overall physical and mental fitness and preventing performance-related ailments. It also provides readers with the tools and methods necessary to become self-assured and expressive keyboard performers.

Chapter 8 is Understanding Different Music Styles. The first section covers the history, renowned composers, and fundamental musical concepts of classical music. The chapter delves into the distinguishing characteristics and influential musicians of several musical genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and pop. It concludes with tips on incorporating readers’ unique musical inspirations and preferences into their performance and developing their own music.

Chapter 9 of this book is dedicated to enhancing your keyboard skills through practical advice and methods. The first section stresses the importance of sheet music in musical performances and provides guidelines for understanding musical notation. It also delves into the use of keyboard accessories such as pedals, music stands, and lighting to enhance your playing.

The chapter concludes by encouraging readers to develop their own repertoire and offers advice on selecting music, practicing efficiently, and performing confidently in front of an audience. This comprehensive guide aims to improve keyboard proficiency and help players become more skilled and self-assured.

Benefits of Learning to Play the Keyboard

Versatility: The keyboard is a highly versatile instrument that can be utilized in a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, rock, pop, and classical. Keyboard players have the flexibility to perform in diverse musical settings, which allows them to adapt to various musical styles and genres.

Ear Training: Playing the keyboard requires a keen sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony. This can significantly enhance a musician’s ear training and musical intuition, leading to an overall improvement in their musical abilities.

Collaborative Opportunities: Keyboard players often collaborate with singers, guitarists, drummers, and other musicians. This opens up new musical connections and create opportunities for expression, providing keyboard players with a platform to showcase their skills.

Technical Expertise: Keyboard playing demands a high level of technical proficiency, including independent hands, strong fingers, and excellent hand-eye coordination. These skills enable performers to express themselves confidently and creatively on stage.

Musical Creativity: Playing complex chords, arpeggios, and melodic patterns on the piano is an excellent way to demonstrate musical creativity. Keyboard players can experiment with different sounds, tones, and rhythms to create unique musical arrangements and compositions.

Keyboardists are in high demand in various musical contexts, such as live performances and recording sessions. Musicians who excel at playing the keyboard have a greater earning potential and job security due to this demand. Overall, the keyboard is an instrument that offers musicians a range of benefits, including versatility, technical proficiency, and creative expression.

Chapter 1

Keyboard Types

and How to Select One

Types of Keyboards

Acoustic Pianos

Acoustic pianos, often known as conventional pianos, have been a mainstay of musical performance and training for many years. They are both desired and challenging to work with due to their many benefits and drawbacks.

One of the most distinguishing qualities of acoustic pianos is their rich, lively sound. The sound produced by the felt hammers striking the strings is intricate and nuanced, making it difficult to replicate with an artificial keyboard. For classical music and live performances, this sound is especially appreciated since it can fill a concert hall with a rich, powerful sound.

The longevity of acoustic pianos is another benefit. For those looking for a durable musical instrument, these pianos are a wise investment. With proper care, they can last for many decades or even centuries. They can also be repaired and maintained very easily, thanks to their straightforward mechanical design.

The drawback of acoustic pianos is their weight and size. They make them challenging to carry and store. Additionally, they need routine maintenance and adjustment, which can be costly and time-consuming. They lack the versatility of electronic keyboards, which provide a variety of sounds, recording capabilities, and other features not found on acoustic pianos.

Finally, acoustic pianos, especially high-end ones, can be rather pricey. Because of this, they are less readily available to aspiring musicians and those with a small budget. They also need quite a bit of space, and they make a lot of noise when whoever is playing is just starting out. For those two reasons, they are not recommended for small flats or when living with roommates.

Digital Piano

More recently, the standard acoustic piano has been replaced by digital pianos. One of the best