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29 free piano theory lessons

Short lessons in 8 chapters, from the keyboard to reading a lead sheet.

1The keyboard and note names

  1. White keys, black keys Groups of two and three black keys are your map. 3 min
  2. The seven note names Do Re Mi and the letters C to B. 4 min
  3. Middle C and octaves Find middle C (C4) and read octave numbers. 4 min
  4. Finger numbers and posture Fingers 1 to 5, hand shape, and how to sit. 3 min

2The staff and clefs

  1. The five-line staff Lines, spaces, and how notes move up and down. 3 min
  2. Treble clef: the right hand Read treble notes from easy landmarks. 5 min
  3. Bass clef: the left hand Read bass notes, where the left hand usually lives. 5 min
  4. The grand staff and ledger lines Two staves joined at middle C. 5 min

3Rhythm and meter

  1. Whole, half, quarter, eighth notes How long each note shape lasts. 5 min
  2. Rests Silence is music too, and it is counted. 3 min
  3. Time signatures and bar lines 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and counting each bar. 4 min
  4. Dots and ties Add half again, or carry across the bar. 4 min
  5. Tempo and dynamics Andante, Allegro, p, f, and using a metronome. 4 min

4Accidentals

  1. Half steps and whole steps The smallest distances on the keyboard. 4 min
  2. Sharps, flats, naturals Raise, lower, and cancel. 4 min

5Intervals

  1. Counting intervals Seconds to octaves, on the staff and keys. 4 min
  2. Major, minor, perfect Same number, different colour. 5 min

6Scales and keys

  1. C major and the major scale formula Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. 5 min
  2. Scale fingering: the thumb under Play C major smoothly with each hand. 4 min
  3. Key signatures Read the key signature and the circle of fifths. 6 min
  4. Minor scales Relative minor, natural and harmonic. 5 min

7Chords

  1. Triads: major and minor Stack thirds to build a chord. 5 min
  2. Inversions Same chord, new bottom note, less hand travel. 5 min
  3. Progressions: I IV V vi The loop behind thousands of songs. 5 min
  4. Reading lead sheets From chord symbols to a simple left hand. 5 min

8Reading with both hands

  1. Hands separately first How to split a piece and learn each hand. 4 min
  2. Putting hands together Join bar by bar, slowly, counting aloud. 5 min
  3. Reading faster Read by intervals and shapes, not note by note. 5 min
  4. Practice habits that work Short, steady, focused, and fixing the hard bars. 4 min