Beginner’s Guide to Learning

Keyboards








As the name suggests, this book has been written for the absolute beginner
and assumes no prior musical knowledge - just the desire to do it! The
contents are suitable for piano and / or electronic keyboard.

Items covered include:

• Understanding keyboard or piano
• Studying notes
• Easy, effective finger exercises
• Major scales
• Chords
• After completing this book, you will have a good basic understanding of
music theory as well as a good basic playing technique, paving the way for
more advanced study in your chosen field


When starting on the Keyboard its recommend starting on weighted keys. As
you practice, your fingers will be adjusted to the stiffness of the keys. When you
then progress to a light weighted keyboard, you will fly across the keys. It is still
up to you which one you get as it needs to be something you will feel
comfortable practicing on. Some keyboards are weighted as well.

Keyboard 101:

• The piano/keyboard uses the following alphabet letters: A B C D E F G
• The piano/keyboard consists of white and black notes.
• White Notes = Natural or Regular notes
• Black Notes = Sharps and Flats depending on how you address the note.
• Moving one note a half step to the right = Sharp (#)
• Moving one note a half step to the left = Flat (b)
• Notice the pattern in relationship between the black and white notes.
• Notice that there are 2 black notes together and then 3 black notes
together
• with white notes in between. This pattern repeats over the entire
instrument.
• You can move between notes via half step (E & F. Notice that there is
nothing between those 2 notes.)
• You can move between notes via a whole step (C & D. Notice C#/Db is
between those two notes.


Understanding Keyboards / Pianos

If you haven’t already bought a keyboard or if you are perhaps thinking of
changing, you may find the following information useful.
On all keyboards of every type, the high pitched notes are to the right and
generally played with the right hand and the low notes are to the left and
generally played with the left hand.

There are many different types of keyboards - all have black and white keys
and to the uninitiated all look the same. But they can be vastly different and
which one will be right for you will be determined by:
1. Your present needs
2. Your ultimate needs, and of course
3. Your budget

Prices can vary from as little as Rs. 5000 to more than a lakh. The chances of
buying one that is absolutely right for your initial and ultimate needs is about
nil, but you can at least try!

Keyboards and Pianos basically fall into the following categories:
§ Portable Keyboards
§ Arranger Keyboards
§ Midi Keyboards (needs to be connected to DAW software through a computer)
§ Synthesizers / Workstations
§ Digital Pianos
§ Acoustic or Grand Pianos

Learning more about categories of Keyboards / Pianos


Portable Keyboards – Price Range: Rs. 5000 to Rs. 30,000

Being a piano or keyboard player can be difficult when you’re on the move. It’s
not exactly an easy task to pack up a piano and transport it from place to place.
Unless you’re a touring musical superstar, odds are that you’re going to need a
viable alternative to a moving crew following you everywhere you go. With a
portable keyboard, you can easily tickle the ivories anywhere you go, allowing
you to practice and perform anywhere you have an opportunity as most of these
also run on batteries. Whether you’re a beginner or a serious virtuoso, a
portable keyboard can give you the tools you need to hone your craft in your
music room, on the road, and anywhere in between.

Yamaha PSRF51 Portable Keyboard


Arranger Keyboards – Price Range: Rs. 15,000 to above Rs. 300,000

Arranger Keyboards are probably the best choice for anyone who just wants to
have fun but also wants to retain the option for getting serious and possibly
professional.
But the variation in quality, features and prices is vast. Whereas most electronic
pianos come with 88 weighted keys, the arranger keyboards tend to come with
either 61 keys (5 octaves) or 76 keys (6 octaves +) and the keys may be un-
weighted, semi weighted or fully weighted (hammer action).

In addition to these other plus points of Arranger Keyboards are:
§ All arrangers have auto accompaniment, but quality and features vary
considerably
§ Some have built in speakers / amplification
§ Most have built in sequencers

Korg PA-300 Arranger Keyboard


MIDI Keyboards – Price Range: Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 30,000

A MIDI keyboard is typically a piano-style electronic musical keyboard, often
with other buttons, wheels and sliders, used for sending MIDI signals or
commands over a USB or MIDI 5-pin cable to other musical devices or
computers connected and operating on the same MIDI protocol. The basic
MIDI keyboard does not produce sounds by itself, as it lacks an on-board sound
engine. Instead, MIDI information on keys or buttons the performer has
pressed is sent to a receiving device capable of creating sound through
modelling synthesizer, sample playback, or an analogue hardware instrument.

The receiving device could be:
1. a computer running a digital audio workstation (DAW) or a standalone
VST/AU instrument (alternatively, the computer could be used to re-
route the MIDI signal to other devices)
2. a sound module
3. a digital (digital piano/stage piano) or analogue (synthesizer) hardware
instrument with MIDI capability

Nektar SE-49 USB Midi Keyboard

Synthesizers – Price Range: Rs. 30,000 to Above Rs. 200,000

Synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that
may be converted to sound. Synthesizers may imitate traditional musical
instruments such as piano, flute, vocals, or natural sounds such as ocean waves;
or generate novel electronic timbres. They are often played with a musical
keyboard, but they can be controlled via a variety of other devices, including
music sequencers, instrument controllers, fingerboards, guitar synthesizers,
wind controllers, and electronic drums. Synthesizers without built-in controllers
are often called sound modules, and are controlled via USB, MIDI, often a MIDI
keyboard or other controller.

Synthesizers use various methods to generate electronic signals (sounds).
Among the most popular waveform synthesis techniques are subtractive
synthesis, additive synthesis, wavetable synthesis, frequency modulation
synthesis, phase distortion synthesis, physical modelling synthesis and sample-
based synthesis.

Korg Krome 61 Key Synthesizer / Workstation

Digital Pianos – Price Range: Rs. 20,000 to above Rs. 100,000

A Digital Piano is a type of electronic keyboard designed to serve primarily as an
alternative to the traditional piano, both in the way it feels to play and in the
sound produced. It is intended to provide an accurate simulation of an acoustic
piano. Some digital pianos are also designed to look like an ordinary piano, both
the upright or grand piano. Digital pianos use either a synthesized emulation or
samples of an actual piano, which are then amplified through an internal
loudspeaker. Digital pianos incorporate weighted keys, which recreate the feel
of an acoustic piano.

While digital pianos may sometimes fall short of a real piano in feel and sound,
they nevertheless have other advantages over acoustic pianos. Digital pianos
cost much less than an acoustic piano and most models are much smaller and
lighter in weight than an acoustic piano.

Alesis Recital Pro 88 Digital Piano with Hammer-Action Keys

Acoustic Pianos or Grand Pianos – Price Range: Above Rs. 300,000

Acoustic pianos are the traditional type most people associate with the term
piano. Like the acoustic guitar, the sound is produced with metal strings; in the
case of the piano, when you play a key a felt-tipped hammer strikes the
appropriate strings.
An acoustic piano usually has a protective wooden case surrounding the
soundboard and metal strings, which are strung under great tension on a heavy
metal frame.

Though this is the original instrument called the Piano, these have several
disadvantages as well:

§ They need periodic tuning
§ They are space greedy
§ They can be very expensive
§ They’re not suitable for gigging
§ You will drive your family and neighbours nuts when you practice, as
these

The Notes of the Keyboard
Firstly, we’ll look at the notes of the keyboard and how to identify them. As
already stated, some keyboards / pianos have more keys than others, but this
makes no difference in relation to understanding how to play them, as they all
have the same basic arrangement of black and white keys.
If you look closely you will see that the black keys are in groups of two then
three. This enables us to find every single note easily. And the first one that you
must learn is ‘C’ which can be found just to the left of two black keys.
The diagram below shows a four octave span revealing five C’s each of which
are eight notes apart - hence octave - as in octagon - eight!

Probably the most important note on the keyboard is middle C which is the ‘C’
that is more or less in the middle of the keyboard and because it is so important,
we are going to put a star on ours as shown.
Now all the notes to the left of middle C get gradually lower in pitch and all the
notes to the right gradually get higher. And usually you will use your right hand
for the higher notes and your left hand for the lower notes.

So which hand plays middle C?
That’s a good question and the answer is that it could be either, but that will be
explained shortly.

 Here are the other notes

This is a lot how to remember all these notes?
Easy, if you split them up into two main groups according to the number of black
notes as shown below:


Notes around the Two Black Keys

Notes around the Three Black Keys

Half Steps and Whole Steps

A half step is the distance from one note to its nearest neighbour note. These
are all half steps.

Notice that some half steps go from a black note to a white note (or a white note
to a black note), while others go from a white note to another white note.

A whole step is a jump of two half steps. From C to D is a whole step.

From F to G is a whole step. From A to B is also a whole step.

Sharps and Flats

The symbol # is pronounced “sharp.” It means move one half step to the right.
The black note to the right of C can be called C# (C sharp).

The symbol is pronounced “flat.” (It looks a little like the letter “b,” so in this
book we will use b instead.) It means move one half step to the left. The black
note to the left of D can be called Db (D flat).

Notice that black notes have two names. C# and Db are the same note. D# and
Eb are the same note. The same is true for F# and Gb, G# and Ab, A# and Bb.


Sometimes white notes are called by their sharp or flat names. For example, F
can in certain situations be written as E#, and E can sometimes be called Fb.
(Similarly, C can in certain situations be written as B#, and B can sometimes be
called Cb.)
Double Sharps and Double Flats

Double sharps and double flats are not seen very often, but it’s good to know
about them.

The symbol x is pronounced “double sharp.” It means move two half steps to
the right. For example, the note D can in some situations be called Cx (C double
sharp).

The symbol is pronounced “double flat.” (It looks a little like “bb,” so in this book
we will use bb instead.) It means move two half steps to the left. For example,
the note D can in some situations be called Ebb (E double flat).

Playing the Keyboard / Piano

Hopefully you now understand a little of the theory explained so far which
obviously is important. But having understood this of course you also need the
physical technical ability to hit the right notes with the correct velocity in the
right order at the right time. This may take months of intense practice to become
reasonably proficient and years to become superb. But make no mistake about
it anyone can do it - at any age.


Correct Hand and Seating Position

First things first: Playing a keyboard should never hurt, cramp, or fatigue your
hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders. Good playing posture is an important part of
your technique and very important to avoid pain and fatigue; here are some
guidelines for getting in the right position:

§ Relax your hands. You don’t need to keep them tense or to use undue
pressure to hold the note down. After you’ve played a key, any further
movements don’t affect how the note sounds.

§ Be sure your back is straight and you aren’t lifting your shoulders.

§ If you’re feeling any strain or pain, stop right away and reconsider your
physical position.

When you sit at the keyboard, your arms should hang relaxed from the shoulder.
Bend your elbows so your arm forms a straight line from the elbow across the
wrists to the finger. If you’re sitting too high or too low, this straight line may
not happen; you should either adjust the height of your chair/bench or the stand
the keyboard is on.


How to Shape Your Hands and Fingers?

How you hold your hand and shape your fingers enables you to use them as little
hammers to easily play notes and move your hand position around the
keyboard. Here’s a simple trick to form the perfect bent finger position:

Lay your hand flat on a
table/surface.

Keeping the heel of your palm

on the surface, slowly pull
your fingers in so they curl
inward.



Fingering Exercise

As far as music is concerned what most people will call their ‘first’ finger is their
‘second’ finger as in music the ‘first’ finger is always your thumb (on both hands).

These initial exercises will enable you to utilise every finger in both hands
thereby giving each finger equal practice. And we’ll only be using time elements
that we’ve already covered.

Begin by resting your hands lightly on these five notes in a relaxed claw like
position; then when you are ready begin depressing the keys in the order shown
in a piston type motion using the tips of your fingers and the sides of your
thumbs. Make sure that you release each note before playing the next.

Most importantly keep to a strict rhythm which can be as slow as you like, ideally
use a metronome set to a comfortable speed. Each exercise should be repeated
seven times and speed can be increased only when you are ready.

Each of these exercises uses the notes and fingering as shown in the next
diagram. Note that the thumb of your right hand plays middle C and your left
hand plays the same notes an octave below. Although both hands are used, they
are not used together except for single sustained notes. In each case try and be
aware of which notes you are playing. Perhaps sing along as you are doing it
(silently if you wish) - C D E F G F




Refer the finger numbers as shown in the previous diagram, and with a steady
rhythm, play the notes C, D, E, F, G respectively on both hands seven time and
then play the above notes in reverse order G, F, E, D, C seven times. Repeat this
till you are comfortable


Introduction to Scales

Why is it important to study Scales?

It is important to study scales because they make up chords. Thus, you need to
know scales in order to form chords.

Now… if you don’t know what’s the first, third, and fifth notes of a major scale
are, how can you form a major chord? YOU MUST KNOW YOUR SCALES!

In this study, we will use another method to study scales. Since you’ve learned
half step and whole step relationships, this should be a breeze!

MAJOR SCALE:
§ A good way to define a scale is to list the following characteristics:
§ A scale is an organized series of pitches (8 notes)
§ A scale consists of a series of notes that differ in sound (you’ll never play
the same note twice)
§ A scale is linked to the concept of “keys” in that a song which utilizes a
given scale is said to be in that key (for example… “Mary had a little lamb
in C major).

REMEMBER…
Whole steps: Always skip a key
Half steps: From key to key

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

(You don’t want to forget the property above. Write it down…memorize it! It is
very important in learning to play all 12 major scales)

C Major Scale

The C major scale is the easiest! It’s simply all the white keys from C to C

Let’s examine our secret property as related to the C major scale

W – W – H – W – W – W – H

Let’s examine our secret property as related to the C major scale:

Starting at C, from C to D is a whole step (W)
From D to E is a whole step (W)
From E to F is a half-step (H)
From F to G is a whole step (W)
From G to A is a whole step (W)
From A to B is a whole step (W)
And from B to C is a half-step (H)

Fingering for C Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1


D Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

To play a D major scale, simply start at D
1) Add a whole step (W) = D + E
2) Add another whole step (W) = D + E + F#
3) Add a half step (H) = D + E + F# + G
4) Add a whole step (W) = D + E + F# + G + A
5) Add another whole step (W) = D + E + F# + G + A + B
6) Add another whole step (W) = D + E + F# + G + A + B + C#
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = D + E + F# + G + A + B + C# + D

Fingering for D Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1

E Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step


To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

To play an E major scale, simply start at E
1) Add a whole step (W) = E + F#
2) Add another whole step (W) = E + F# + G#
3) Add a half step (H) = E + F# + G# + A
4) Add a whole step (W) = E + F# + G# + A + B
5) Add another whole step (W) = E + F# + G# + A + B + C#
6) Add another whole step (W) = E + F# + G# + A + B + C# + D#
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = E + F# + G# + A + B + C# + D# + E

Fingering for E Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1

F Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:


To play an F major scale, simply start at F
1) Add a whole step (W) = F + G
2) Add another whole step (W) = F + G + A
3) Add a half step (H) = F + G + A + Bb
4) Add a whole step (W) = F + G + A + Bb + C
5) Add another whole step (W) = F + G + A + Bb + C + D
6) Add another whole step (W) = F + G + A + Bb + C + D + E
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = F + G + A + Bb + C + D + E + F

Fingering for F Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
G Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:


To play a G major scale, simply start at G
1) Add a whole step (W) = G + A
2) Add another whole step (W) = G + A + B
3) Add a half step (H) = G + A + B + C
4) Add a whole step (W) = G + A + B + C + B
5) Add another whole step (W) = G + A + B + C + D + E
6) Add another whole step (W) = G + A + B + C + D + E + F#
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = G + A + B + C + D + E + F# + G

Fingering for G Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
A Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:


To play an A major scale, simply start at A
1) Add a whole step (W) = A + B
2) Add another whole step (W) = A + B + C#
3) Add a half step (H) = A + B + C# + D
4) Add a whole step (W) = A + B + C# + D + E
5) Add another whole step (W) = A + B + C# + D + E + F#
6) Add another whole step (W) = A + B + C# + D + E + F# + G#
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = A + B + C# + D + E + F# + G# + A

Fingering for A Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1

B Major Scale

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H
W = whole step | H = half step

To form a major scale, you must follow the steps below:


To play a B major scale, simply start at B
1) Add a whole step (W) = B + C#
2) Add another whole step (W) = B + C# + D#
3) Add a half step (H) = B + C# + D# + E
4) Add a whole step (W) = B + C# + D# + E + F#
5) Add another whole step (W) = B + C# + D# + E + F# + G#
6) Add another whole step (W) = B + C# + D# + E + F# + G# + A#
7) Finish the scale by adding a half step (H) = B + C# + D# + E + F# + G# + A# + B

Fingering for A Major Scale:
Right Hand: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Left Hand: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1

Major Chords

Each diagram is intended to be played by the right hand. The left hand plays the
one note listed in the left in CAPS, somewhere lower on the keyboard. Notice
that the recommended fingering is always Thumb-Middle-Little except in the
centre diagram where using the Index finger gives a more comfortable hand
position.


C Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The C major chord is constructed using the notes C, E, and G. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the C major scale.

D Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The D major chord is constructed using the notes D, F#, and A. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the D major scale.

E Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The E major chord is constructed using the notes E, G#, and B. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the E major scale.

F Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The F major chord is constructed using the notes F, A, and C. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the F major scale.


G Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The F major chord is constructed using the notes G, B, and D. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the G major scale.


A Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The A major chord is constructed using the notes A, C#, and E. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the A major scale.


B Major Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The B major chord is constructed using the notes B, D#, and F#. These are the
1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the B major scale.

Minor Chords

By now you are familiar with major chords. After this it’s quite easier to play
Minor Chords. All you have to do is go half step lower on the 2nd note of the
chord or in other words, half step lower on the 3rd note of the scale you are
playing.

Each diagram is intended to be played by the right hand. The left hand plays the
one note listed in the left in CAPS, somewhere lower on the keyboard. Notice
that the recommended fingering is always Thumb-Middle-Little except in the
centre diagram where using the Index finger gives a more comfortable hand
position.



C Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The C minor chord is constructed using the notes C, Eb, and G. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the C minor scale.


D Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The D minor chord is constructed using the notes D, F, and A. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the D minor scale.


E Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The E minor chord is constructed using the notes E, G, and B. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the E minor scale.

F Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The F minor chord is constructed using the notes F, Ab, and C. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the F minor scale.

G Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The G minor chord is constructed using the notes G, Bb, and D. These are the
1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the G minor scale.


A Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The A minor chord is constructed using the notes A, C, and E. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the A minor scale.

B Minor Chord

Root Position

First Inversion

Second Inversion

Explanation:
The B minor chord is constructed using the notes B, D, and F#. These are the 1st,
3rd, and 5th notes of the B minor scale.

There are some musical situations where this chord could appear as a Cb minor
chord using the notes Cb, Ebb, and Gb.

Every song has at least the 1 chord, 4 chord and 5 chord being played. The
musician has to figure out when to play them based on the song pattern being
sung. Playing this pattern in a tight set will give you a starting point and then you
just have to branch out and fill in around those 3 chords.

This is in the key of C but modulate half steps up and down. Pay attention to the
fingering patterns and you will be playing in every key in no time. Your left hand
pinkie is on a C and your right hand thumb is on a C. No need to pick your hands
up. Just play the Bass note and the chords that are right under your fingers. Play
the notes in tight.

Do also remember that the ability to read music is not necessarily related to how
good a musician you could become. Some of the world’s greatest musicians are
unable to read music at all (Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder etc.), but a basic
understanding will certainly help you get going. Even some great sighted
musicians are lousy sight readers.

One thing that every great musician has in common is that they all have an
understanding of scales, chords and harmony would have all spent many hours
a day practicing finger techniques. Clearly they were motivated!

In short the more you put into it - practice - the more fruits you will get out of
it. The satisfaction achieved is totally immense. And there are some wonderful
pieces of music available that are relatively easy to play. Take it one step at a
time!