Can you find the middle C on an 88-key piano?
No? It’s alright if you can’t because many beginners don’t.
The reason is simple. A standard 88-key piano has a total number of 8 Cs. Now, how is it possible to find the middle C in a sea of black and white keys?
The only way to do that is to recognize piano keys. It will take significant time to get familiar with them, but with labeled piano keys, you will know them in no time.
It’s just one of the benefits of labeling piano keys. Let me tell you more about how labeling keys can help a beginner become a better pianist.
Why is it Important to Label Piano Keys?
1. To Get Familiar With the Piano Keys | Find The Middle C
Unlike piano prodigies, many beginners struggle to get familiar with the keys. Even after months of piano lessons, people fail to recognize the keys without any help. And, not knowing piano keys confuses them during the classes, eventually forcing many to drop out.
Here swoops in the need to label piano keys. You can label the keys with colored stickers or simply use markers to write down the notes on them. This way, you will become well-versed with piano keys within a month.
2. To Master Finger Positions
Everybody knows that playing the piano is all about the tricks of your fingers. While it sounds basic, it is always confusing for new learners to figure out which key to press with which finger.
On top of that, there are particular finger patterns when it comes to playing piano arpeggios or practicing chords/scales.
This is where labeled piano keys can make things easier for you. Either you can add ready-made stickers displaying finger patterns on top, or you can write them down on the keys using a black/white marker.
3. To Practice Piano Scales
Scales are the fundamentals of western classical music. Learning piano scales can not only help with your timing but also help you play by the ear.
So, why should you wait to by heart the keys to practice piano scales?
Obviously, practicing piano scales is highly beneficial for beginners, and you can do it from today onwards. How?
The only way is by labeling the piano keys. For instance, if you want to practice D Major scale; then you label the following keys:
D – E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D
This is another good reason to label the keys.
4. For Piano Chord Lessons
Remembering the piano keys is just like remembering people’s names. While some are very good at it, some can hardly remember their neighbor’s name.
It’s okay if you are one of those people. You can still continue taking piano lessons and learn the piano chords.
How to do that?
For example, if you’re learning to play the E minor chord and you label the necessary keys: E – G – B
Once you’re done with this chord, and then you want to learn the F major chord, you can again label the keys accordingly.
5. To Learn Arpeggios
Piano arpeggios (or broken chords) are always the most confusing topic for amateur players. No matter how many YouTube videos you watch or piano classes you take, it does take time to understand the concept of piano arpeggios.
And, when it comes to understanding piano arpeggios, recognizing the keys (with the notes) is essential. Therefore, beginners are often recommended to label the keys.
If you don’t want to label all the keys, you can simply label the ones you need.
6. To Play Easy Piano Pieces/Songs
Be it an adult or a child, every learner wants to play songs/music pieces on the keyboard. Also, playing songs helps newbies in many ways. Besides providing a sense of achievement, it also motivates them to learn further.
Now, the question is: should you wait to play a song till you know the keys by heart?
Nope, you don’t need to do that. You can play easy piano pieces today itself. If you want, you can begin with Jingle Bells or directly jump into playing easy Beethoven piano pieces like Fur Elise.
To do that, take a look at the notes and label the necessary keys.
7. To Learn Reading Sheet Music
Sheet music is straightforward, a theoretical part of piano learning. It’s basically written music with the notes, chords, beats, time signature, etc., mentioned in it.
If you’re learning to read sheet music, the best way is to label the keys with the information you need.
Conclusion
Dear readers, labeling piano keys will help you in many ways. But, above everything, it will make your piano learning journey a less confusing one.
So, if you are ever overwhelmed while learning scales, chords, arpeggios, etc., try labeling the piano keys. For instance, at EnthuZiastic piano classes, new students always begin by labeling piano keys.
This tactic has helped many pianists; it will help you too.
All the best for your musical journey! Adios!
