Play the Keyboard

Green Level: Lesson 2

Press a key, or click the mouse to change each slide.

Learning Objectives

In this lesson you will: Learn to play tunes with all five fingers Strengthen and control your fingers Learn more about rhythm Think about how you practice

Duration (length) of notes

This note lasts 1 beat

These are 1/2 beats

Count 1 2 3 4 1 & 2 3 4

Clap or tap this rhythm

1 Crotchet (Quarter note)

2 Quavers (Eighth notes)

2 claps in one beat

Finger strength and control

Put your fingers on the keyboard like this. Fingers bent and relaxed. See Green 1

Play each note, one at time.

You should release each note before playing the next.

C D E F G F E D C

Try saying the name of each note as you play.

Do this five times before you play.

Here’s how we number fingers:

Thumb is finger 1, little finger is 5

1 2 3 4 5

Ode to Joy by Beethoven

Here is a simple piece. Every note is a next door note – they “move by step”. Keep your fingers on the notes. The hardest note is G, why?

Hint: You will be a better keyboard player if you keep your fingers like this – don’t play with just one finger.

Theme from the New WorldUsing all five fingers – play this simple piece. Make sure you hold each note for its correct length.

Count 1 2 3 4

Keep your hand like this, don’t let your fingers move off their keys.

E G E D C D E G E D

D E D C

This semibreve lasts for 4 beats

Lightly RowStill use those five fingers in the same position.

Well done!Green Level: Lesson 2

You have finished.

Ask your teacher to listen to you play the last tune.

Move on to Lesson 3.