How to Play Piano
How to play piano. That's a tall order for a web page. What we present here is a quick overview the physical aspects of piano playing:
- How to sit at the piano
- How to hold your fingers
- Finger numbers
- The five finger position and what it implies
- Fingering patterns for scales
- Fingering patterns for chords
- Plus a discussion on Piano Playing Technique.
(This is intended more for the intermediate or advanced piano player.)
How to Sit At the Piano
Sit with your back straight, but somewhat relaxed. Sit so that your elbows are by your side, but somewhat in front of you. Hold your wrists so that they are level with, or slightly higher than the top(back) of your hands. Curl your fingers so that the thumb is almost in line with your fingers on the keys.
How To Hold Your Fingers
As stated above, curl your fingers so that your thumbs are almost in line with your fingers on the keys. Your fingers should be shaped like you are holding a ball. This is the basis of how to play the piano properly. Do not lay your fingers flat on the keys! Place each fingertip and the side of your thumb of each hand on five adjacent keys. Each finger has its own key to play. (More on this in the "Five Finger Position.")
What it looks like from your angle:
Finger Numbers
On both the left and right hands, the thumbs are #1, index fingers are #2, the middle fingers are #3, the ring fingers are #4, and the pinky fingers are #5.
The Five Finger Position And What It Implies
Explains what all those little numbers over notes mean. Includes diagrams showing the C Major five finger position.
The Five Finger Position
Fingering Patterns For Scales
Here you'll find the best way for fingering scales. Finger number patterns for all of the major scales, left hand and right hand.
Fingering Scales
Fingering Patterns For Chords
How to finger major and minor triads, inversions and octave chords.
Fingering Chords
Piano Playing Technique
Piano Playing Technique discusses how to play piano, making the most effective use of the fingers, wrists and arms to get the best sound with the least movement.
Piano Playing Technique
Start Playing Piano Today with the Piano Guide Quick Start Course!
Easy to follow step-by-step lessons designed for adult beginners. The next best thing to private lessons!
What You'll Learn:
- Notes on the piano/keyboard
- Proper fingering
- C major scale
- Chords
- How to read music
- And much more!