ilearnmusic.com

Piano Lesson 1.3 - Starting to use the left hand

The left hand is equally as important to learn for the piano as the right hand.  Later you will learn how to read bass clef, which is necessary to adequately read left hand notation, but for now, you will learn a quick method to playing simple chords to accompany your right hand.

Playing both hands at the same time for some people comes naturally, but don't be frustrated if it takes you some time to get it.  It really uses both sides of the brain, so once you develop the habit - it will be easy for the rest of your musical journey.

Now, remember that on your left hand, we number your fingers just as we do on your right hand.  The left hand thumb is 1, index finger is 2, middle finger on 3, ring finger on 4, and pinky is 5. 

Now find G on the piano - below middle C it is 3 white keys away - count down - C, B, A, G - good you are there.  Excellent job. 

Now put your thumb on G.  Naturally each finger should want to curve on a white key.  You should have the following fingers on the following keys -
Pinky (5) - C
Ring Finger  (4) - D
Middle Finger (3) - E
Index Finger (2) - F
Thumb (1) G

Great job.  Pat yourself on the back for doing a great job - wait don't keep your hand on the piano! 

We will call this position left hand C position.  Why do we call it this?  Because your left hand pinky is on C!  Remember that term, because I will reference it later on.

Like now.  Take your hand off the piano and put it back on to make sure you get used to finding left hand C position.  You will get quicker at this as you progress.  Once you feel comfortable with this, move on to the next lesson in which you will learn why left hand C position is so important.

For sheet music and corresponding sheet music with this video, click here...