When you first start playing the piano it is important to understand that you not only need to practice often but that you need to perform piano exercises to be able to strengthen your fingers. These also will help you become more familiar with the keyboard and how it is set up. You need to start off learning the bare basics and that starts with the scales of a keyboard. The first thing you will notice is the keyboard is comprised of 88 keys with a pattern that repeats. That pattern is a grouping of two black keys that are followed by another grouping of three black keys all along the length of the keyboard. Finding the middle of the keyboard is important and that would be the middle white key which represents the key of C.
Now in order to do warm ups you will need to learn what is called the scale. This scale is made up of the first seven letters of the alphabet and is always best that you start with that middle C and learn what is called the C scale. Move to the right of the middle C key which is the next white key which is in between the two keys that are black, this key is D, then the next white key would be E, the next key which is left of the three black keys is the key of F. The next white key would be G. Once you have done that the scale letters start over. When you reach the next key that is white which will be left of the next two black key grouping you will have returned to C and the scale of C will have been finished.
It is important that whenever you play or practice that your hands are warmed up. One of the best ways to do that is to simply take your hands and close them into tight balls then gently release them. Do this several times. Now take your right hand and make sure it is in a open curve and place it over the keys beginning with the middle C. This is where you will put your thumb. Next your will use the index finger for D and the rest of your fingers for the other keys.
It is important that your fingers are located properly on the keys ranging from C to G. When you are ready you can go a head and play the notes starting at the left going to your right. When you get to E you will then tuck your thumb so it goes under the palm and can play the F key. Finish the scale with your other fingers. So, thumb is on C, the index is D, middle is E, thumb going under palm is F, again index which is G, middle is the A, ring finger is B and finally the pinky is C.
Now you will need to go to the left hand. Even though the left hand will play the same keys the finger placement is going to be different. You will begin with middle C but this time it will be the little finger. The next four fingers will be used for the D, E, F and G keys. You will then go up and down this scale until you feel comfortable.
Note again the left fingers are on different keys than the right. Your little finger is the middle C, the ring finger will be D, middle is E, index is the F key while the thumb is the G. The middle finger will need to cross over your hand to hit the A key and then the ring finger will hit the B while the thumb will take care of the higher C.
It is important to practice this scale often so that you not only get stronger fingers but so that you can also develop more accuracy and more speed while playing the keyboard. Practice the entire C scale eventually using both hands at the same time until you reach your goal of strengthening your fingers and getting more familiar with the keyboard.
For more information about all aspects of learning the piano have a look at – Piano Exercises
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