Your First Five Notes

Meet Your First Five Notes

You already know how to find C by looking for a group of two black keys. Now we are going to start from C and learn the next four white keys.

Your first five notes are:

C – D – E – F – G

These notes sit next to each other on the keyboard. Starting on C, simply move one white key to the right each time:

C → D → E → F → G

For now, you only need to become comfortable finding these five notes and remembering their order. You don’t need to read them on the musical staff yet.

Right-Hand Five-Finger Position

Now that you know C, D, E, F and G, you can place your right hand over these five notes.

Put your right thumb (finger 1) on C. Let your other fingers rest naturally on the next four white keys:

1 = C · 2 = D · 3 = E · 4 = F · 5 = G

Keep your hand relaxed and your fingers gently curved. Each finger has its own key, so you do not need to move your whole hand as you play these five notes.

Play Up and Back Down

Place your right hand on C–D–E–F–G.

Play slowly:

C – D – E – F – G

Then come back down:

G – F – E – D – C

Use:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

Keep your hand relaxed and let each finger stay close to its key. Try it a few times without rushing.