Music Alphabet and Staff

THE MUSIC ALPHABET IS MADE OF SEVENtones. A dot over or under a note means
LETTERS.staccato. To play staccato, let the key go
These are letters used over and over on theimmediately after playing. Another name that I
keyboard to name the white keys. When youlike to call staccato is "hot potato!" Quickly let go
play the music alphabet forward, you go up theof the note!
keyboard to the right:Tied Notes
A B C D E F G. So when you play the musicA tie is a curved line that connects notes of the
alphabet backward, you go down the keyboard tosame pitch (notes on the same line or space.)
the left:Play the first note only and hold it for the value
G F E D C B A.of both notes.
Practice Directions:For example:
1. Play the music alphabet both forward andHalf Note + Whole Note = 6 beats
backward in different places on the keyboard,2 beats + 4 beats = 6 Beats
using the second finger of either hand. Say theWhole Note + Whole Note
letters aloud as you play.4 Beats + 4 beats = 8 Beats
2. Memorize the music alphabet forward andThe Staff
backward.The staff has lines and spaces. Notes are written
It is easy to find the white keys and know theiron lines or in spaces. The staff has 5 lines and 4
names when you look for the sets of 2 and 3spaces. So then notes are placed either on lines or
black keys.spaces. Number the lines from the bottom to the
A IS BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 3RD KEYS IN THEtop. And number the spaces from the bottom to
3 BLACK SET.the top.
B IS TO THE RIGHT OF THE 3 BLACK KEY SET.Clef Signs
C IS TO THE LEFT OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.A clef sign is used at the beginning of each staff.
D IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.There is a treble clef or G clef. The tail wraps
E IS TO THE RIGHT OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.around the 2nd line. High tones are written on a
F IS TO THE LEFT OF THE 3 BLACK KEY SET.treble staff.
G IS BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND KEYS IN THEBass clef or F clef on the 4th line with dots on
3 BLACK KEY SET.either side of the 4th line. Low tones are written
Practice Directions:on a bass clef.
1. Shut your eyesThe Grand Staff
2. Touch sets of 2 and 3 black-keys with oneThe bass and treble staffs are joined together by
hand. With the other hand find and name nearbya brace to form the grand staff. I explain to my
white keys.students that it is like the left hand shaking hands
3. Memorize a picture of the keyboard.with the right hand. A short line is added between
C POSITION:the staffs for middle C.
L.H. PLAYS:So when you are in a music store looking for a
C D E F G - FINGERING IS 5-4-3-2-1book to purchase, always look for the Grand
R.H. PLAYS:Staff if you want to play the piano with both
C D E F G - FINGERING IS 1-2-3-4-5hands. Intermediate and advanced players look
Playing Legatofor Fake Books where they are given the right
Legato means to play smoothly, connecting thehand melody notes and chords for the left hand.
tones. To play legato, one finger lifts whenWhether you play smoothly or chunky, learning
another finger plays the next note. A slur is athe music alphabet and applying where they are
curved line over or under two or more differenton the keyboard is fun. Once you learn to read
notes that are to be played legato (smooth,notes you will have that gift for a lifetime and will
connected). The slur is used to show a musicalbe able to play any style of music with a bit of
thought called a phrase. Lift your hand gently atpractice. Have fun reading and playing the notes.
the end of a phrase.Eventually you will be jamming, not reading all the
Playing Staccatomusic notes and leaning more on listening for the
Staccato means to play short, separating theprogression... and that is another story.