How to Read Keys on a Keyboard
Piano nuts: Learn the blackness keys on the piano
The blackness keys on the piano are known as the flat and sharp keys.
In technical terms this ways they brand a annotation half a stride (or a semitone) lower and higher respectively in pitch from their corresponding white key.
Y'all will discover that the blackness notes are grouped in twos and threes, and taking the time to recollect which is which is likewise a useful mode to remember the white keys' names.
Each blackness key acts as both a sharp and a flat. A precipitous is a notation that'southward one-half a step higher than the corresponding white key, and the flats are half a step lower.
Superlative tip
Tones and semitones
Tones and semitones (or steps and half steps) are common terms to define distance betwixt notes. A semitone is the distance between each key on the keyboard. Each sharp or flat will be a semitone abroad from its corresponding white key. The distance betwixt Due east & F and B & C is also a semitone as in that location are no black keys between them.
Commencement, permit'due south focus on moving to the right from Centre C. The black key immediately to the right is C sharp (C#). This is half a footstep up from C. Take another half footstep and you'll exist at D. Working in guild from Eye C to the correct the sharps are C#, D#, F#, Thou# and A#. B# and E# are C and F respectively, although they are rarely referred to in the sometime manner. Always remember that sharps are to the correct of a annotation.
Now observe Middle C over again and this time go left. The kickoff black key is B flat (Bb). Working down in order from Centre C the flats are Bb, Ab, Gb, Eb and Db. Cb and Fb are B and Eastward respectively, although again they are non normally denoted this style. Flats are always to the left of a note.
Have some time learning what the names of the black keys are and run into if you can recognise the difference in pitch with their respective white key.
Learn the black keys on the piano
Footstep i: The first thing to get right is your technique. You don't really want to use your pollex on the black keys. Instead, endeavor to only employ your middle three fingers. This makes it easier to transition between white and blackness. There will exist times when this is unavoidable, but until this is the case, endeavour to keep your thumb abroad.
Step ii: When playing the black keys you might need to tuck your pollex under your fingers to hit a white central. Endeavor this now - play Middle C with your right index finger, C# with your heart finger and and so D with your thumb. Later on, yous will observe this technique useful when performing scales.
Step iii: Let's try the same technique with the left hand. Identify your left thumb on Eye C. Now play B with your index finger, Bb with your centre finger and then A with your thumb. Practise until it feels natural. Now your thumb is on A, it frees up the residual of your fingers to play lower notes, both black and white.
Step 4: Let's attempt a scale. Starting with your index finger on your right hand and, working from C to F, see if you tin can play the white and black keys in a fluid motion. Apply your pollex for D, and end with your fourth finger on F. Once yous've mastered that, go back downwards once more using the aforementioned fingers.
Larn the black central names
Flats
Blackness keys to the left of white keys are flats. From C (starred above) downward an octave these are Bb, Ab, Gb, Eb and Db.
Sharps
Any blackness key to the right of a white cardinal is a sharp. From Middle C up an octave these are C#, D#, F#, G# and A#.
White keys
If y'all demand assistance, think the three white keys around the two blackness keys are C, D and E, while the other four are F, G, A and B.
How to Read Keys on a Keyboard
Source: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/learn-the-white-keys-on-the-piano