How Do The Lines & Spaces On The Staff Relate To The Piano Keys
Every note found on piano sheet music corresponds to a piano key. While there are 88 keys in total on a full-sized instrument, they are made up of 12 tones that simply repeat moving up in pitch. To learn how to read music notes, youll need to learn how to recognize the notes on the staff, and find them on the piano keyboard. Check out this piano notes chart of the keyboard notes below the music note letters correspond to the piano keys in a repetitive pattern.
Free Pdf Download Of The Way It Is Piano Sheet Music By Bruce Hornsby
This is free piano sheet music for The Way It Is, Bruce Hornsby provided by forpiano.com
The Way It Is is Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s debut album, released in 1986. Led by its hit title track, the album went on to achieve multi-platinum status and helped the group to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Other hits from the album include “Mandolin Rain” and “Every Little Kiss”. Fellow musician Huey Lewis is also featured on the album, lending his harmonica and vocal talents to the track, “Down the Road Tonight”. Lewis also helped produce the song, along with the track, “The Long Race” and “The River Runs Low”.The cover features a segment of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.In Japan, The Way It Is Tour, consisting of live performances of six songs from the album, was released for promotional purposes. The now out-of-print album was made available on vinyl and Compact Disc.
The Ugly Truth About Reading Sheet Music
Still with me?
I bet you can count them on one hand.
The ugly truth about reading sheet music is this: most people either never get good at it. Most people dont enjoy learning it, most people have a hard time remembering what theyve learned, most people dont ever get to the point where sight-reading is effortless or enjoyable.
But enough with the negativity. If youre still dead set on learning how to read sheet music, I can at least fill you in on the basics and help you get started.
You May Like: Best Keyboard Piano For Learning
What Are Note Values
In sheet music, the notes we see on the staff give us important information. They tell us what notes to play on the keyboard. They also tell us something else: how long to sustain those notes, and what rhythm to play. There are four basic types of notes to learn first: eighth note, quarter note, half note, and whole note.
Every note has a specific value. The value refers to the number of beats that note is held within a measure of music. Whole notes are four beats, half notes get two beats, quarter notes get one beat, and eighth notes get half a beat.
Its not just notes that get counted in music though. Moments of silence get counted too. Luckily we have rests to tell us how long to stay silent, and rests have corresponding value to music notes: a whole rest gets four beats, a half rest gets two beats, a quarter rest gets one beat, and an eighth rest gets half a beat.
What Are The Finger Numbers For Piano Players
When learning how to read sheet music, its important to remember that each of your fingers have numbers 1 5. Thumb is number 1, the pointer finger is number 2, middle finger is number 3, ring finger is number 4, and pinky is number 5. All piano players from beginner to advanced use finger numbers for reading sheet music.
Pro Tip: Now, as you read through new songs, write in the note names. Then, sing the note name or finger numbers while playing, which will help you memorize the names of numbers of the notes on a piano. Once youve practiced this, erase the letter names and test yourself to see if you still remember the playing pattern and tune of the song.
You May Like: Learn To Read Piano Music
What Is The Bass Staff
After youve memorized all of the letter names on the lines and spaces for your right hand , you can move on to reading piano notes on the bass clef, where the notes on the lines and spaces will usually be played with your left hand.
The bass clef symbol looks like this:
Youll notice that the bass clef symbol has two dots on either side of the F line. If you can remember that, youll always be able to figure out the rest of the lines and spaces on the staff.
Practice drawing the bass clef. Then with the spaces at the bottom of the page, name your spaces ACEGB . Next, name your lines starting at the bottom of the page GBDFA .
The Hands On The Staves
On the score, the first step to do is to identify where are the hands. Indeed, each hand will have its own space on the sheet music and you will then be able to easily differentiate the notes you will have to play with the left hand from those of the right hand.
On the score, you can see that there are two different staves, each consisting of 5 lines. The top staff is called the treble clef and is usually played with the right hand. The bottom staff is called the bass clef and is generally played with the left hand.
If you want to start by working only on the right hand of a song, then you should concentrate only on the notes present on the treble clef.
Read Also: Million Dreams Piano Sheet Music
What Are Dynamic Marks
Dynamic marks are another important aspect of music reading skills. These are the musical terms and symbols that tell you the quality of each note or phrases of music. Dynamic marks can tell you to play very loud, very soft, or somewhere in between. They are usually written in Italian. We wont go into the details of dynamics marks, but you can find everything you need to know about them in the article below.
Recommended: 14 Musical Terms All Piano Players Need to Know
In Order To Properly Perform This Strategy And Learn How To Read Sheet Music For Piano Follow These Three Simple Steps:
With music, there are many different strategies that can help you move quickly to a better understanding. Everyone approaches music differently. Some beginners intuitively grasp complex concepts, others need a little help along the way. Some may even find this strategy more confusing than the standard approach.
Don’t Miss: Merry Go Round Of Life Piano Chords
What Are Time Signatures
Sheet music is divided into measures, which are broken up by bar lines. Each measure contains a specific number of beats. The time signature tells you how many beats are contained in every measure. Every time signature has two numbers, stacked one on top of another. The top note signifies the number of beats contained in each measure. The bottom number signifies what kind of note is considered one beat, or in other words, what kind of note is given full value.
There are all kinds of different time signatures, but the most common are 4/4 , 3/4, 6/8, and 2/2.
How To Read Piano Sheet Music
Reading sheet music is not easy when you start playing piano. You are entering a new reading system and you need to know the codes to understand it. The objective of this 7th chapter is not to make you a confirmed pianist who could read any score instantly. Its rather to show you the basics of score reading. This will give you all the keys to understand how scores are written and train you to progress little by little on easy piano songs.
Joris, the author of this article, recommends the following resource: 16 free piano lessons for beginners
Also Check: Easy On Me Piano Easy
Why Learn How To Read Music
Being able to read music means you can see and understand the structure of the piece and how its put together, allowing you to develop a greater understanding of the whole composition. The symbols of sheet music, like most spoken languages, have been around for centuries. Each symbol represents a different pitch, rhythm, and tempo of a specific song. The symbols also represent the techniques used by whoever is playing that musical piece.
Some musicians will tell you that reading piano sheet music isnt necessary to be a competent player, but you only limit yourself by going that route. Many pianists will attest that learning and studying sheet music early and often is the right choice.
Learning this essential skill:
- Unlocks a world of expression and freedom on the piano
- Means youll be able to play in a band or other ensemble
- Helps you sight read on other instruments including strings, brass, or woodwinds
- Allows you to communicate about music with other musicians
Even if your main instrument is not the piano, learning the basics of how to read music note names can be easier when you know your way around a keyboard.
Studying the piano and learning how to read sheet music go hand-in-hand. To develop your skills in the most efficient way possible, you must start learning how to read sheet music right off the bat.
Learning To Read Sheet Music With An Instructor
The best way to learn how to read music notes is by taking piano lessons. A professional piano teacher can walk you through these steps and ensure that youre building your skills on a solid foundation of music theory. With each lesson, your knowledge of the piano will grow and your music reading skills will develop. Lesson plans that are catered to your learning style and current skill level will help you stay motivated for the long term. You can always look up piano sheet music for beginners and practice your music reading skills. Once you have a handle on understanding piano keyboard notes and reading music, the playing possibilities are endless!
With enough time, patience, and practice, you can develop into a well-skilled piano player. Obtaining a stable foundation in musical note reading will make your journey toward becoming a fine pianist an exciting and fun adventure.
Do you have a favorite technique for learning how to read sheet music? Let us know in the comments below!
Post Author: Liz T. teaches online singing, acting, and music lessons. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, R& B, and Country.
Photo by Basheer Tome
Read Also: Easy Two Hand Piano Songs
Learn The Locations Of The Keys
Before attempting to read any sheet music, there needs to be a clear understanding of what all of those black and white keys mean. This is one of the first things I outline in my piano course which you can check out here. The black and white keys represent all of the different tones of the piano.
As you look at the keyboard the first thing that should stick out to you is how the piano keys are organized in a pattern.
Looking at the diagram above its clear that there are groups of two black keys and groups of three white keys. That pattern of two and three repeats up and down the entire piano.
The first white note located in front of the group of two black keys is called C. Every time you see a group of two black notes, that first white key will always be a C. The lower the C you play on the piano, the deeper the tone will be. The higher the C on the piano, the brighter the tone will be.
The note located in front of the group of three black keys is F. The same logic applies here too. Because the piano is designed around the musical alphabet, its easy to see how the pattern repeats.
The seven different tones on the piano are A B C D E F G. These are the basic notes of the music alphabet, and they can be augmented in many ways which well discuss later in the steps.
What Are Power Chords
In the rock world these are called power chords. So, when starting to practice these chord arrangements remember that your left hand is always playing a power chord.
All the heavy lifting in this lick is done with your right hand.
Also, notice that all of the added 9ths to these chords are the bottom notes in your right hand.
A is the 9th of your G chord.
G is your 9th of the FMaj7 chord.
And, D is the 9th to your C chord.
Being able to recognize that the bottom note of these extended chords in the 9th will help you learn your next tip
You May Like: Free Hymn Arrangements For Piano
Understanding Sharps Flats And Naturals
If you are not using a beginner piano method book, then chances are you may be exposed to sharps and flats early on.
Sharps and flats work much like the regular notes except they are the augmented version.
For example, play a sharp note means to play the very next note higher. If the note was F#, then the pianist plays the black key since its the very next key higher. Note the example below.
If the note were flat then it means to play the very next note lower as shown in the example below.
When a note has a natural sign, it means that any sharps or flats are canceled, and the note returns to its a natural state. In the case of a D# for example, it would simply become regular D again.
The Mental Flip Strategy: Reading Piano Notes For Beginners
You must flip the orientation of the sheet music in front of you mentally, so you can read the vertical orientation of the notes.
In order to begin to think about and practice this mental flip, there is an extremely helpful strategy you can use. You can actually turn the sheet music so you are reading the notes down the page. Doing so allows you to more easily understand the spacing between the notes and more intuitively grasp where your fingers should be placed on the keys. This technique is also helpful for visualizing the grand staff as a whole and where the octaves on the keyboard are located.
Don’t Miss: How To Play Piano For Beginners
You Can Speak With The Other Musicians
If you speak the same language as other people, you can understand them and they can do the same with you.If you know how to read a piano sheet music, you can discuss and debate with other pianists. In this way, you can benefit from the advice of other musicians in order to progress or even make others progress by giving your own advice. Practicing piano is not only an activity, its also a community.
You Can Write Down What You Play
Have you ever invented a song in your head and sung it? If so, you have already composed your own song! In musical composition, knowing how to read a score is fundamental. Why is that? Simply because you can write down your song to make sure you never forget it and so that other pianists can play it.
But writing a song on a score is also a way to structure your song. Its as if you have to imagine a text that you invent without writing it down. When you write, you constantly look back on the previous phrases you wrote to help you build the rest of the story. For musical composition, its exactly the same thing. Writing the song helps you to structure it and give it its full form.
Recommended Reading: We Don’t Talk About Bruno.piano
Bruce Hornsby The Way It Is Sheet Music Description
Bruce Hornsbyoriginally published in the key ofarrangement code* Click playback or notes icon at the bottom of the interactive viewer and check if “The Way It Is” availability of playback & transpose functionality prior to purchase. Refunds due to not checked functionalities won’t be possible after completion of your purchase. For clarification contact our support.
Learn The Order Of The Notes
Reading sheet music is centered around interpreting the notes on the page. So you need to know your notes! The good news is that there are really only 12 notes you need to know. All the keys on your piano or keyboard are just the same 12 notes repeated over and over. Say them with me:
C, D, E, F G, A, B. Got that? I know its strange to start with C, but thats what we need to do for piano purposes. And it isnt too hard once you get the hang of it.
But wait Jacques, you might be asking. You said 12 notes, but you only mentioned eight. Where are the other notes? The answer lies in the way your instrument is set up. Take a look see those black keys? They are sharp/flat keys, and they get their names from the keys they are between. The black note between C and D can be called both C sharp and D flat . With those black notes included, you have your set of 12.
Also Check: Free Sheet Music For Piano Beginners
