W Piano FREE DOWNLOADS E Audio files, sheet music and more! N Everything you need to know Master musical notation to start playing the piano Record your compositions Play in different genre styles Learn chords & scales Welcome to Piano Making the decision to learn a new instrument can be a whim or a long-standing ambition. Either way, picking up an instrument for the first time is a daunting feeling, as the scale of the task sinks in. This is particularly true if you have never learnt to play an instrument before, with all those technical terms, scales and notation marks to decipher before you have even played a single note. This new edition of Piano for Beginners is therefore an essential guide for piano and keyboard first-timers. Simplifying the process through step-by-step tutorials, this bookazine will help you lay solid foundations for years of enjoyment. From the correct way to sit at the piano to reading notation, we start with the basics before expanding your musical horizons with easy home recording and genre-specific tutorials. With a glossary of essential terminology, a list of chords and even access to free online resources such as audio files, Piano for Beginners really is your go-to guide as you get acclimatised to the musical landscape and hone your piano-playing skills. Piano Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth Dorset BH2 6EZ (cid:8) +44 (0) 1202 586200 Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk Twitter: @Books_Imagine Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineBookazines Publishing Director Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews Editor in Chief Jon White Production Editor Jasmin Snook Senior Art Editor Greg Whitaker Art Editor Ali Innes Photographer James Sheppard Printed by William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by: Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU  Tel 0203 148 3300 www.marketforce.co.uk Distributed in Australia by Gordon & Gotch Australia Pty Ltd, 26 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 2086 Australia Tel: +61 2 9972 8800 Web: www.gordongotch.com.au Disclaimer The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. Piano for Beginners Sixth Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd ISBN 978 1785 463 839 Contents Guiding you every step of the way and providing you with everything you need to start learning to read music and play the piano Give it a try Look out for this logo on each page, as it means that an audio file is available online to help you master a certain tutorial. Getting started Understanding theory 10 The ultimate guide to the piano 40 Interpret key signatures 30 What is musical notation? Unleash your musical talent Why they are needed and how to read them 20 How to sit correctly at The symbols that affect the way we play a piece 42 Learn about ledger lines the piano 32 Introducing the staves Get to grips with these essential parts of notation Perfect posture is an essential task to master The five horizontal lines that enable us to read music 44 Change note lengths 22 Learn the white keys 33 Notes and their values Learn how the duration of notes can be modified Understand the natural keys on your piano Some of the different types of notes you’ll find 46 Alter a note’s pitch 24 Learn the black keys 34 How to read musical notation with accidentals Get acquainted with the world of flats and sharps Learn which notes go where Learn what these quirky symbols mean 26 Using the piano’s pedals 38 Understand time signatures 48 Navigate music notation Advance your playing style Explaining beats and bars Time to get score savvy and stay on track 6 Piano for Beginners Notes Darker highlights Middle C Lighter highlights and keys Throughout this book, you will see top-down images of a keyboard with the keys highlighted. The darker highlights show the keys played in the image, while the lighter highlights show the keys that need to be played in the step 50 Control the volume 74 Learn about intervals with dynamics Playing two notes at the same time Inject more personality into your music 78 Understanding chords 52 Set and change the tempo How to construct and play common chords Ensure your jigs are jolly and your ballads are slow 80 Using inversions 54 Add articulations to notes Achieve a different take on chords Play notes with character and style 82 Major chords 110 Record on a PC 55 Use musical ornaments An essential tool for budding pianists Learn about Audacity Learn about these extra decorations 84 Minor chords 114 Improve your technique with apps The mood-swingers of your chord repertoire Playing the piano Get creative with an iPhone or iPad 86 Suspended chords Play in the style of Shake things up and add some variation 58 Warm up your hands 88 Augmented chords Limber up before you practise We outline the various musical genres and sounds that 60 Introducing musical scales Add a bit of spice to your chords can be achieved on your piano 89 Diminished chords 118 Pop Understand how scales are formed 62 The C major scale How to use them properly Pleasant progressions and simple melodies 90 Dominant seventh chords 120 Blues A great first step for beginners 66 The F major scale Introducing four-note chords A broad genre with a few defining characteristics 92 Major seventh chords 122 Jazz A scale that contains a black key 68 The G major scale A warm, jazzy-sounding chord type A passionate and diverse genre 93 Minor seventh chords 124 The Classical period The major scale that has one sharp 69 The D major scale How to transform a plain minor triad Rich, obvious melodies and simple patterns 94 Use chord progressions 126 The Romantic period Discover the scale with two sharps 70 The A minor scales The first step towards writing a song Expressing freedom and creativity 96 Left-hand patterns 128 Contemporary piano music The scale with three formats 72 D minor scales Use your left hand to support a melody Fusing classical and pop 98 Learn arpeggios A minor scale with a flat Reference Break up chords to make your music flow Music Is Life, Bournemouth 1T0h2e n Geet txo gtr ipsst weithp recording 113422 H GAnlesowlpsersidnager csyokm mon queries Location courtesy of 110046 P RSHtoaleoartck yr uoe pctro htdordr a ioon PgCnu y o goaru Mh rM av ace rat yoc c faoirc scmte msspa nsuetewtrp esioeruc neds 114542 E CMAlsluh tsshioceea rsnl cdteatrsliema sl syli s oesxutcp nlaaeilenede dsto know Record concertos from the comfort of your Mac All the chords that matter “Deciding to take the first step towards discovering your musical talents is worthwhile at any age” Piano for Beginners 7 “Learning to play an instrument is a rewarding journey and the piano is a great place to start” 8 Piano for Beginners Getting started Our ultimate guide and step-by-step tutorials will teach you all the basics, from choosing the right piano and sitting correctly to playing your first melody 10 The ultimate guide to the piano (cid:116)(cid:1)Choosing the right piano (cid:116)(cid:1)Different ways to play (cid:116)(cid:1)Taking care of your piano 20 How to sit correctly at the piano 22 L earn the white keys 24 Learn the black keys 26 Using the piano’s pedals Give it a try Look out for this logo on each page, as it means that an audio and/or video file is available online to help you master a certain technique. Piano for Beginners 9 Getting started The ultimate guide to the piano Unleash your musical talents and learn how to play scales, songs and masterpieces on the piano D eciding to take the first step towards to play the piano is the same on all three, but you’ll find discovering your musical talents is worthwhile some may offer more or fewer features than others, at any age. Learning to play an instrument although this won’t have a dramatic effect on how you is a rewarding journey and the piano really is play while you’re still developing your skills. Regardless of a great one to start with. Although you’ll need plenty which instrument you’re using, you can still pick up the of time, practice and patience, the piano is a relatively basics in this beginner’s guide. easy instrument to master, which is why it’s a popular So whether you want to be able to play the odd tune, one to try to learn first. Many musicians find that after learn a particular song or compose your own musical conquering it, the idea of learning other instruments isn’t masterpiece, you’re in the right place. Join us and discover as daunting. what the piano has to offer. In the following pages we’ll The piano has come a long way since it was invented, introduce you to the different types of pianos that are out and alongside the traditional acoustic varieties, there are there and help you get started in front of the keys. You’ll now digital pianos and portable keyboards. Learning also discover how to read music and play with >> Notes and keys Throughout this book, you will see top-down images of a keyboard with the keys highlighted. The darker highlights show the keys played in the image, while the lighter highlights show the keys that need to be played in the step. The star shows where Middle C is. Darker highlights Middle C Lighter highlights 10 Piano for Beginners