| Reading piano notes is far easier than many | | | | same succession as notes within the staff. For |
| beginning pianists think it is. Ultimately, piano note | | | | example, the invisible line one space below the |
| reading is simply a matter of memorization and | | | | treble clef staff -- a note that you will see very, |
| repetition. In other words, once you learn the | | | | very often -- stands for middle C as it is one |
| basics, all you have to do is put them into | | | | space and one line below the E represented by |
| practice, and to do so as many times as it takes | | | | the first line. |
| to completely internalize your note reading skills. | | | | The bass clef, which looks like a backwards "C" |
| No doubt, you've seen what's known as the staff | | | | with two dots around the second line from the |
| -- the system of five lines and four spaces upon | | | | top, has this configuration: The five lines stand for |
| which musical notes are organized. In music | | | | G B D F and A, while the four spaces stand for A |
| notation, at the far left of a staff you will always | | | | C E and G. Again, there are many mnemonic |
| see a clef, which is basically a symbol that | | | | devices to remember these, but it's always best |
| indicates how the notes on the staff should be | | | | to make up your own. |
| read. | | | | With many piano songs, especially those for |
| There are many different types of clefs, but | | | | beginners, the left hand plays the notes in the |
| fortunately for beginning pianists, the vast | | | | bass clef, while the right hand plays the notes in |
| majority of piano music deals only with two clefs, | | | | the treble clef. The two areas meet up at middle |
| the treble clef and the bass clef. The treble clef is | | | | C, which is two notes below the lowest line in the |
| usually used to notate the first few octaves to | | | | treble clef staff, and two notes above the highest |
| the right of Middle C, while the bass clef is usually | | | | line in the bass clef staff. |
| used to notate the few octaves to the left of | | | | Beyond this basic memorization of notes |
| Middle C. | | | | represented by lines and spaces, piano note |
| In all staffs, no matter what the clef is, | | | | reading also involves some knowledge of what is |
| successive lines and spaces represent ascending | | | | meant by various symbols. Most commonly you |
| notes of the scale. For example, in the treble clef, | | | | will see the symbols for sharp and flat. The |
| the lowest line represents E. Thus, the space just | | | | symbol for sharp, which closely resembles the |
| above the lowest line represents F, the line just | | | | number symbol (#), indicates that the note which |
| above that represents G, the space above that is | | | | it accompanies should be raised one half step. |
| A, and so on. | | | | Meanwhile, the flat symbol looks like a lower case |
| In the treble clef, which looks sort of like a | | | | "b," and indicates that the accompanying note |
| backwards "S" with a few extra curly-cues | | | | should be played one half step lower. Also, once |
| thrown in, and centered on the second line up, the | | | | you start to learn more keys and scales, you will |
| notes are as follows: The five lines, from bottom | | | | need to know the natural symbol, which cancels a |
| to top, stand for E G B D and F, while the four | | | | sharp or flat is dictated by the key. Also, it's |
| spaces stand for F A C and E. All beginning | | | | important to remember that when you see a |
| pianists must memorize these very early in the | | | | sharp, flat, or natural symbol, that symbol remains |
| learning process. FACE is an easy acronym to | | | | in effect throughout the measure. |
| remember, while EGBDF lends itself to a variety | | | | From this point on, things become more |
| of mnemonic phrases, which you can make up | | | | complicated. But don't sweat it. Learning how to |
| yourself. For example, when I took my lessons, I | | | | read piano notes is a baby-step process. Try not |
| was forced to memorize, "Every Good Boy | | | | to learn everything at once. Instead, focus on one |
| Deserves Fudge." | | | | thing at a time, and practice until it comes as |
| Often, when reading music, you will see additional | | | | easily as breathing. As always, this is the key to |
| "lines" added above or below the staff. These are | | | | learning piano. |
| merely extensions of the staff, and follow the | | | | |