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All necessary topics are covered in our beginner's guide to keyboarding. Learn everything, including how to hold your hands and how to play your first chord.
Ready to take up a new hobby or even expand your musical repertoire to include the keyboard? With the proper tools, it's simpler than you might think.
Let's begin by setting up a welcoming area for playing. The proper posture for the hands and body will then be discussed. Finally, we'll discuss how to read music notation so you can immediately begin playing the keyboard!
1. Keyboard Space
Creating the ideal environment ensures success in many endeavors. It's comparable to how an athlete gets better by working out on the field and developing performance-enhancing habits. Make sure the space you choose for your keyboard has enough room for your arms to freely move around.
As you practice, try to minimize interruptions. If you don't have a designated practice space, sit with your back to the room so you won't be disturbed by other people's movements.
If a cushion and a fan will help you stay cool and comfortable while practicing the keyboard, add them.
2. Keyboard Gear
Long-term returns can be expected from a small initial investment in your new hobby. When you are developing your budget, take into account:
Keyboard - You'll obviously need a keyboard to play, but as a beginner you don't necessarily need the best and biggest. There are keyboards with 72 and 88 keys available, but one with just 66 is more than enough. To extend notes and produce fuller audio, use a sustain pedal.
Table or Stand - You can set up keyboards on any surface, including a table or a stand. If there isn't enough room for a permanent setup at home, store it in the cupboard when you're not using it. Pick a table that is high enough for you to feel at ease playing at. You can customize a keyboard stand so that it works for you.
Chair - It's not a good idea to just practice on the kitchen chair. Choose a stool or bench without back support instead. You'll be motivated to play with better posture as a result of this.
Headphones - Use headphones to listen to the audio if you don't want anyone else to hear you practice. This is yet another method for obstructing noises like traffic or conversations.
3. Body Position
Sit down, then stand up and move to the centre of the keyboard. Your knees should be bent at about a 90-degree angle.
Sit so that your feet can be completely flat on the ground. Your body should be positioned so that your knees are beneath the keyboard or you should stand close to the table. You typically only use the front of the stool or bench.
You must keep a straight posture, as was already mentioned. You shouldn't, however, experience any physical tension. Just maintain a straight back and loose shoulders.
Not sure if your posture is correct? Use this brief exercise.
Put your feet flat on the floor while seated.
Draw your shoulders up to your ears and inhale deeply.
Allow your shoulders to return to a neutral, relaxing position as you exhale.
Exhale and unwind whenever you feel your shoulders getting too close to your ears. Over time, you will automatically assume the proper posture.
4. Hand position
Make sure to relax your hands and arms as you work on your posture. Your hands and fingers automatically form a "c-shape" when your arms are hanging down. Your hands should be in this shape while you are playing.
For the proper playing position, do the following:
Keep your fingers in that position as you raise your hands.
They should be gently placed on the keys in front of you.
Verify that your forearms and wrists are lengthening toward straightness without becoming rigid.
Naturally, you won't always be able to play the notes that are directly in front of you. Avoid twisting your wrists in unnatural ways when playing higher or lower notes to the right or left. Simply tilt your body slightly to the appropriate side.
Your playing quality and health will greatly benefit from your initial focus on developing these habits. Without good hand positioning habits, you run the risk of putting too much strain on certain areas of your arms or hands. It's even possible to get carpal tunnel syndrome.
5. Learning Keyboard Notes
Learn which white and black keys to press down at this point!
You can learn to play chords or read music notation. Whatever your preference, you must be aware of the notes' names. Each of the seven notes in an octave has a letter between A and G.
Do the following while keeping an eye on the keyboard in front of you:
Find the area of the keyboard where there are two black keys next to each other and three more to the right.
Put your right thumb on the white key in that row that is immediately to the left of the first black key. C is that. Therefore, the C is the white key that is immediately to the left of the two black keys.
Now press the four keys directly to the right of C with the remaining four fingers of your right hand. Your middle finger is on E, while your index finger is on D, and so on.
Look at the location of your pinky on G. A is immediately to its right, followed by B.
Then, the sequence is repeated from the beginning!
To quickly identify each note until you know it by heart, you can sticker each one at the beginning.
As you gain more keyboard playing proficiency, you can also begin using the black keys. Sharps (#) and flats () are used in chord charts and sheet music to indicate them.
The notes on a staff that make up sheet music indicate which notes to play. You can also learn chords that each require you to press down a different note. For instance, play the C chord:
Position your right hand over any octave.
Rest your thumb on C, with your other fingers covering the notes directly to the right.
Simultaneously, press down C, E, and G.
That’s it! You played a chord!
These common major chords, which each contain three notes, are listed below:
F – F A C
G – G B D
D – D F# A
A – A C# E
E – E G# B
How many songs you can play using just these few chords will surprise you!
Begin by exercising for 30 minutes every day. Your initial objective can be to memorise these chords so that you don't need to check your hands or this list to press the correct notes.
You can try the contemporary method in addition to hiring a keyboard instructor or learning keyboard music for beginners on your own. BhardwajMusicAcademy helps you to walks through each step while giving you the necessary theory and criticism as you practise. Plus, you can use the resource whenever you want!
Which is better for beginners: keyboard or piano?
What instrument you learn to play is entirely up to you. A keyboard may be more valuable to you than a piano because you might prefer different sounds. The keyboard is a more accessible instrument, making it perfect for beginners who are still deciding how seriously to take their hobby. Other musicians enjoy the piano's feel very much.
It will take time, but with the right tools and diligent practise, you'll soon be playing the keyboard like a pro. Fortunately, you can practise anywhere and advance your skills more quickly with a portable keyboard and an coach like BhardwajMusicAcademy.
Learning to play the keyboard does not have to be the end of your musical journey. Check out some cutting-edge instruments you can use with your keyboard to advance your skill and enjoyment.
How simple is it to learn a keyboard on your own?
Although every keyboard player is unique, hiring a tutor is one of the most effective and quick ways to learn the craft. Some players, however, might favour learning the basics of the piano keyboard on their own. Yes, also! You can complete it by yourself. An instructor like BhardwajMusicAcademy provides immediate feedback on your performance, ensuring that your practice lay a solid sound foundation.
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