Read Notes한국어ONE SMALL PRACTICE
How to read piano notes: from the staff to the keyboard
For a first practice, separate two tasks: identifying the written pitch and finding that pitch on the piano. Start with a few notes instead of trying to read a whole piece at once.
Check the clef first
A note's position only makes sense together with its clef. In treble clef, the five lines from bottom to top are E4, G4, B4, D5 and F5. Middle C, written C4 here, sits on the first ledger line below the staff. Other clefs assign different pitches to the same positions.
Use the black keys as landmarks
White-key names repeat C, D, E, F, G, A, B. C is immediately to the left of a group of two black keys, D is between them, and E is immediately to their right. Locate the group near the middle of the keyboard to find C4, then E4 and G4 above it.
Read, answer, compare
Look at one note, choose the matching key, then compare your answer. If the letter is right but the octave is wrong, check the register before the next attempt. Reading pitch is only one part of playing music: rhythm, fingering and coordinating both hands need additional practice.
Check with three notes
These three questions use C4, E4 and G4 in treble clef. First name the note, then find the same key on your piano or on-screen keyboard.
Which note is this?
Continue in the app
In Read Notes, choose a few notes in Practice with a purpose, read the feedback after an answer, then try a familiar piece from the song library. You can use the screen keyboard without owning an instrument.
Start with 67 free songs. Optional Premium is a one-time purchase.