Successful Beginnings

Lesson 1

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Steeple House Publications
PO Box 152247 San Diego, CA 92195
www.LearnPianoOnline.com
[email protected]
Welcome!

Hello! My name is Miss Lisa and I am your piano teacher.

Are you ready to play the piano? I have good news for you!
You have found the easiest-to-understand piano lessons on the planet.
Do you know what that means? That means that these lessons are so easy to
understand that you will be able to learn and play everything I teach you!
The best part is you do not need to know anything about the piano to start!

Start your lessons with confidence, knowing that if you just follow my easy
directions, you will be able to read music and play your favorite songs really
soon!

The secret to learning piano is in having three things:

1. A happy student who practices every day with a smile!

2. An easy to understand lesson plan that enables fast progress.
3. A teacher who is available to help with anything you don’t understand.

You are #1 on the list! You have #2 in your hands, and I am #3!
That’s right, you can email me anytime!

Are you ready to start a new adventure? Are you ready to practice
at least 10 minutes 5-6 times a week? Do you have a piano or keyboard to
practice on?

If you answered yes to these questions, then let’s get started!

Your teacher,
Miss Lisa
[email protected]
http://www.LearnPianoOnline.com

1
Lesson 1
Table of Contents

Piano Lessons and Your Piano 3

So Many Keys 4
Groups of two and three 5
Finding C 7-8
Middle C 9
Finger Numbers 10
Middle C Position 11-12
Right Hand Practice 13
Eyes on Music 14
Left Hand in C position 15-17
Left Hand Challenge 18
What do you see now? 19
Readiness Test 20
Looking ahead 21

2
Piano Lessons and Your Piano
Whether you have a full size piano or an electronic keyboard, or even
an organ, these lessons will teach you how to read music which will give
you the skills to play your favorite songs!

If you are using a keyboard, I recommend that there are at least 61

keys on it, including the black keys.

If your keyboard has less than 61 keys, you can still start the lessons,
but you will eventually need a bigger keyboard.

I also recommend that your keyboard is touch sensitive. Touch sensitive

means that when you play the keys hard, they will sound loud, and when
you play the keys soft, they will sound quiet. (Just like a real piano.)

In these lessons, when I say “your piano”, that means the same
as saying “your keyboard”, or “your organ.” No matter what you
are using, “your piano” is what I will call it.

3
So Many Keys!...Where do I begin?

?? ? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ? ?? ??

Just looking at your piano can be overwhelming!

You may wonder, "How am I ever going to learn all these
notes?" Well, you have come to the right place.

I am going to teach you how to play the piano,

one easy step at a time!

These pages are divided into short lessons. The pages will tell
you where each lesson starts and where it ends.

Once you start a lesson, you will need to complete it before

you leave your piano!

Your job is to follow the directions carefully, find time to

practice and keep a smile on your face!

4
Groups of Two and Three Black Keys

Look at your piano. You will see black keys that are grouped in two’s
and black keys that are grouped in three’s.
When you are sitting at your piano, find and play all the groups of two
black keys.

This picture shows a group of two black keys being played.

When you finish playing all the groups of two black keys,
I want you to find and play all the groups of three black keys.

5
Worksheet

Circle the remaining groups of two black keys:

Circle the remaining groups of three black keys:

6
Finding C

Now that you are comfortable with finding the groups of two black keys
and the groups of three black keys, it's time to talk about the white
keys.

Look at the piano below. There is a letter "C" on the white key that is
on the left side of each group of two black keys.

Can you find and play all the C's on your piano?

The secret is to first find a group of two black keys, and then
you will find the C very fast!

C C C C

Middle C

7
Fast and Easy Way to Find C

First, find a group of two black keys and point to the white key in the
middle. Use your right hand pointer finger to point:

Now all you have to do is put your thumb next to your pointer finger,
and you are on C!

Practice finding all the C's on your piano until it is very easy for you. I
want you to use your right hand thumb on all the C’s.

8
Middle C

There are lots of C’s on the piano. I want you to learn which
one is Middle C.

How to find Middle C:

1. Sit at your piano like you are about to play. Your body should be
at the middle of your piano.

2. With your right hand thumb, place your thumb on the

C that is closest to the middle of your tummy.

3. That C is Middle C!

It is important to know where Middle C is because that is the C that

we will use the most with the right hand.

C C C C

Middle C

9
Finger Numbers

3 3
4 4
2 2
5 5

1 1

LEFT RIGHT
HAND HAND

Are you ready to start having some fun? Let's play the piano!

First we are going to give each of your fingers a number....

Your thumb is number 1,
your pointing finger is number 2,
your middle finger is number 3,
then comes number 4 finger and
your little finger is number 5.

10
Placing Your Right Hand in Middle C Position

First, place your right hand thumb on Middle C.

Place #2 finger on the key that is marked with a 2.
Place #3 finger on the key that is marked with a 3.
Place #4 finger on the key that is marked with a 4.
Place #5 finger on the key that is marked with a 5.

Middle C

C C C234 5 C

1
Right
Hand

11
Middle C Position

Here is how your fingers and hand should look on your piano
when you place it in the right place.

The circle around the 2 black keys is for you to double check
that your thumb is starting in the right place.

If your fingers are in the correct position, congratulations!

The position you are in is called Middle C Position.

12
Right Hand Practice

With your right hand in Middle C position, play the

numbers at the bottom of this page.
When you see C, play the key that your thumb is on.
When you see 2, play the key that your #2 finger is on.
When you see 3, play the key that your #3 finger is on.
When you see 4, play the key that your #4 finger is on.
When you see 5, play the key that your #5 finger is on.

Practice #1:

C 2 3 4 5 5 5
Practice #2:

C C 2 2 3 4 5

13
Eyes on Music

VERY IMPORTANT RULE:

Do not look at your fingers while you are playing the piano.
You can only look at your hand while you are putting
it in C position. After your fingers are in position,
move your eyes to the lesson page.
Leave your hand in position, and do not move it.
If you do not move your hand, you will be able to play the correct key
without looking at the piano. This is called:
Keeping your eyes on the music.

Play these numbers again, this time without looking at your

hands:

Practice #1:

C 2 3 4 5 5 5
Practice #2:

C C 2 2 3 4 5
14
Eyes on Music Practice

The following exercises are very simple because they are for you to
play over and over so you can start to feel the distance between the
keys on the piano without looking.

Where do your eyes belong when you are playing these exercises?
That’s right! On the music! Not on your hands!

3 C 3 C 3 C C

C 5 C 5 C 5 C

2 4 2 4 2 4 4

15
Placing your Left Hand in C Position

On the piano below, I colored the C position below Middle C.

This is the C position for your left hand.

When your left hand is in C position, your #5 finger will be on C, not

your thumb.

Use Left Hand

C C4 321 C C

Middle C

1
Left Hand

16
Double Check Left Hand
Look at the picture carefully.
Your left hand #5 finger (pinky finger) should be on C.
All your other fingers should be next to each other, one finger
on one key each.

MINI QUIZ:

1. What key is your #5 finger on?____

2. How many white keys are between your #5 finger and your thumb?___

17
Double Check Both Hands

This picture shows what your hands should look like when you put them
both in C position.

The right hand is in Middle C position

with the thumb on Middle C.

The left hand is in C position

with the #5 finger on C.

18
Left Hand Challenge

If you want to get your left hand ready for what I will be teaching you
later, then you can try the following exercise:

Put your left hand in C position.

Make sure your #5 finger is on C.

Now play your #5 finger,

your #3 finger,
and your thumb
all at the same time.

If you do this right, you will be pushing three keys down

at the same time.

5 3 1

19
What Do You See Now?

Now that you have learned about the groups of black keys and how to
find all the C’s on the piano, does your piano look as confusing as it did
when you started?

If you did everything right, you should be able to look at your piano and
be able to find all the C’s right away.

Remember the secret is to find all the groups of two black keys first!

C C C C

Look at your piano. Each C section has 7 white keys, then it starts
over with C again.

The piano is made up of 7 keys, over and over and over again.

Now when you look at your piano it won’t be so overwhelming!

20
Readiness Test

Throughout your lessons, there will be Readiness Tests to help you know
how well you are doing. This readiness test is a timed test. You will
need someone to tell you how much time it takes you to complete this
test. Start the timer when you start doing this test:

1. Find and play 4 C’s on your piano using your right

hand thumb.
2. Find and play Middle C with your right hand
thumb and your other 4 fingers on the correct
keys.
3. Place your left hand in C position with your left
hand pinky on C and your other 4 fingers on the
correct keys.
4. Repeat numbers 1 – 3 one more time.

Let’s see how well you did:

Over 3 minutes: Too long. Work on this lesson a little longer.

Over 2 minutes: Better, but can be faster, work on this lesson a little longer.
Under 2 minutes: Good work! You can move on to the next lesson pages!
Under 1 minute: You are a pro at this! See you in the next lesson!

21
Looking Ahead
I want you to take a little peek at what you will be learning as you
progress through the lessons.
All the lessons will be very easy to follow, just like the pages you just
completed.

The next few pages are exciting samples of what you will be learning as
you continue your lessons:

Reading Real Sheet Music:

22
Learning Scales and Chords:

Learning Proper Fingering:

23
Learning the Black Notes (Sharps and Flats):

This is just a very small sample of what is ahead

of you! Hope you are excited!
Now it’s time to move on to lesson 2. 

24
Level 2 Contents

About Lesson 2 1
The Staff and the Clef 2
The Note 3
Notes on the Staff 4
Middle C as a note 5
My First Song 6
Notes and Rhythm 7
The Tick Tock Song 8
Tick Tock Again 9
Readiness Test 10
Quarter Notes and Half Notes 11
Counting Quarter Notes 12
Counting Practice 13
I Promise 14
Happy Half Notes 15
Hold Your Half Notes 16
Piano Key Names 17
Golly Gee 18
Quarter Rests 19
Time to Rest 20
3 for E 21
Measures 22
2 with D 23
Mary Had a Little Lamb 24
4 with F 25
Ode to Joy 26

0
About Level Two

Your chances of success are very high if you take your time
and move to the next level only when you are very comfortable
with what you have learned so far.

The goal in Level Two is to learn basic note reading skills

by playing several short songs with easy to read notes.

Keep in mind that if you are teaching yourself and you do not
have a teacher to watch you, you need to be extra careful and
do exactly what I recommend that you do.

Have fun!

1
The Staff and The Clef

Notes are written on a STAFF.

The staff has 5 lines and 4 spaces:

The symbol you see in front of the staff below is called

the Treble Clef, or sometimes it’s called the G Clef.
The Treble Clef tells you to play with your right hand.

2
The Note

The round part of the note is called the notehead.

The line that is attached to a note is called the stem.

The stem can point up or down.

Some notes are black, some notes are white and sometimes
they do not have a stem. You will learn the difference
between the different types of notes.

3
Notes on the Staff

Notes can be written inside the spaces of the staff:

SPACE
SPACE
SPACE
SPACE

Notes can also be written on the lines of the staff:

LINE
LINE
LINE
LINE

When a note is written on the staff line, the line goes right
through the middle of the notehead.

4
Middle C as a Note

You will learn the names of each note, one at a time.

The first note you will learn is Middle C.

Look at Middle C as a note:

Middle C is not in a space or on a line of the staff.

Middle C is hanging below the staff with it’s own little line
through it’s notehead.

Are you ready to play your first song?

On the next page, try to identify all the different

parts of music that we just talked about.

You should be able to identify the staff, the treble clef,

and Middle C as a note.

5
My First Song

Place your right hand in Middle C position.

Play the correct fingers when you see the numbers.

When you see: play Middle C.

2 3 2
2 3 2
2 3 4
5 5
6
Notes and Rhythm

Rhythm is what makes each song different from each other.

There would not be music without rhythm.
Rhythm is created when you play some notes long
and some notes short.

To learn good rhythm, you need to know how long to hold a

note down before you let it go.

When you play the next song, you will hold each note down
long enough for you to say “tick-tock”.
When you say “tick-tock” you are giving each note one beat.

Make your voice sound like the rhythm of a clock.

Slow and steady, never speed up, never slow down, never stop,
and never pause.

Make sure your finger plays the note at the same time that
you say “tick” and don’t let go until you are finished saying
“tock”.

7
The Tick Tock Song
Count each beat by saying “tick-tock” every time you play a
note. Do not count in your head. Count out loud.
Play it several times until the rhythm sounds like a clock.

3 3
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

3 3 5 5
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

4 2 4 2
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

3 “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

8
Tick Tock Again

How did you do with the tick tock song?

Did you remember to keep your eyes on the music?
Play this song very carefully, counting out loud and
keeping your eyes on the music.

3 “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

3 3 5 5
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

4 2 2 2
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

3 5
“tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock” “tick - tock”

9
Readiness Test

It’s time to take a minute or two and review what you have
learned so far. It’s important that you do not rush through
the lessons.

Answer the following questions. You do not need to

write down the answers, just answer them to yourself.

If you don’t know the answer, make sure you look through the
lesson pages and find the answer.

1. What does it mean to “keep your eyes on the music?”

2. Do I count the beats in my head or out loud?
3. True or False: Flowers and notes have stems.
4. Which hand do I use when I see the treble clef?

10
Quarter Notes and Half Notes

There are many different types of notes.

Today you will learn about two different types.

A black note with a stem is called a QUARTER NOTE:

A white note with a stem is called HALF NOTE:

The difference between a quarter note and a half note is in

how you count them.

11
Counting Quarter Notes and Half Notes

You have seen Middle C as a quarter note in the last song you
played.
It is black with a stem.
You gave each Middle C one beat by saying “tick-tock” when
you played it.
That’s right! A quarter note receives one beat:

“tick - tock”

Let’s take a look at Middle C as a half note.

It is white with a stem:

“tick - tock - tick - tock”

Can you guess how many beats it receives?

12
Counting Practice

You are right! A half note receives two beats.

You will count a half note by saying:

“tick-tock tick-tock”.

Play the Middle C’s below.

Do not let go of the half note until you are finished saying
“tick-tock-tick-tock”.

It will seem like you are holding it down for a long time, but
that is good because that is what you are supposed to do.

“tick - tock - tick - tock” “tick - tock - tick - tock”

13
I Promise to Count the Beats

Counting the beats of a song is the most important lesson you

will ever learn in piano lessons. No matter what instrument
you choose to learn to play, you will have to learn to count the
beats correctly, and OUT LOUD,

Promise yourself that no matter how silly you might feel or

sound, you will always count the beats OUT LOUD whenever
you learn a new song.

Even after years of playing the piano, you still have to count
the beats OUT LOUD when you first learn a song.

Raise your right hand and say:

“I promise I will always count the
beats of a song OUT LOUD”.

14
The Happy Half Note Song

3
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

5
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

5
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

3
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

Did you count the beats out loud?

Did you hold your half notes?
Did you keep your eyes on the music?

15
Hold Your Half Notes!

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

1 2 3 3
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

3 2
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick – tock

Did you count the beats out loud?

Did you hold your half notes?
Did you keep your eyes on the music?

16
Piano Key Names

Now that you are comfortable with reading a little music, it is

time to learn the real names of the piano keys.

The numbers are the numbers of your fingers.

The numbers are NOT the names of the piano keys.

For example: When your #1 finger plays Middle C,

Middle C is the name of the piano key and
#1 is the name of the finger.

Starting now we will gradually replace one number at a time,

with the real name of the piano key.

Let’s start by replacing the 5.

You will see G on the music from now on instead of 5.
Use #5 finger when you play the G.

17
Golly Gee!

G G
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

G
G G
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

G
G 4 3 2
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

18
Quarter Rests

The following symbol is called a QUARTER REST:

When you see a quarter rest in a song you will not play
anything at all but you will still give it one beat by
counting “tick-tock”.

Play and count the example below.

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

Double check what you played:

1. Play the Middle C as a quarter note, count “tick-tock”,

then let go.
2. Count “tick-tock” for the quarter rest, do not play
anything.
3. Play the Middle C as a half note, count “tick-tock-tick-
tock”, do not let go until you finish counting.

19
Time to Rest

G
tick - tock tick - tock
3
tick - tock tick - tock

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

4
tick - tock tick - tock
2tick - tock tick - tock

tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

20
Replacing 3 for E

G E E 2
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

E G G
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

4 2 2 4
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

E
tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock tick - tock

21
Measures

Music is organized in boxes. The music you have been playing

has been organized in boxes. Those boxes are called:
MEASURES

There are four measures in this song. I shaded the first

measure and the last measure.

You don’t need to do anything different when you play this

song. Don’t forget to count out loud! 

E G
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock
GE tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

E GGGE
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

22
Replacing 2 with D
Time to take away another number.
Say goodbye to number 2 and say hello to D!
Play all the D’s with your number 2 finger.

E D D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock
D D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

E D D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

Mini Quiz:

1. Are your eyes where they are supposed to be?

2. Are you counting every beat out loud?
3. Are you using the correct fingers?
4. How many measures are in this song?
5. How do you know which hand you are supposed to play this song with?

23
Mary Had a Little Lamb

You will have fun playing this favorite children’s song.

Play D with your #2 finger.

E D DE E E
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

D DD
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock
EGG
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

E D DE E E E
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

D DE D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

24
Replacing 4 with F

Every time you see F, play it with your #4 finger.

E E F F GF E D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

D E F D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

Reminder:

D is #2 finger
E is #3 finger
F is #4 finger
G is #5 finger

25
Beethoven’s Ode to Joy

I bet you didn’t know that you are ready to play your first
famous song! This is a song written by Beethoven.

E E F G GF E D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

D E E DD
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

E E F G GF E D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

D E D
tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock tick – tock tick – tock tick – tock tick - tock

Play this song smoothly without any mistakes and counting out
loud before going to the next lessons. 

26
The Foundation to Reading Music

As you have already noticed, you are being introduced to

reading real music, one small step at a time.
The steps you are taking right now, are preparing you to make
an easy transition from reading letters, to reading notes.
Enjoy each step, even though it seems like little baby steps.
Without little baby steps, it would be extremely difficult to
take the big steps.

In lesson 3 you will continue to learn how to read real music.

You will be introduced to playing chords with the left hand.
You will also be introduced to playing both hands at the same
time. Lesson 3 is exciting…so don’t wait, get started right
away!

As always, remember to keep smiling and give yourself a

special treat every day by enjoying playing the piano for at
least 10 minutes. 

27
Level Three Contents

About Level 3 1
Chords 2
Placing your Left hand in C Position 3
Double Check Left Hand 4
Playing the C chord 5
The C Chord as Notes 6
C Chord Practice 7
Eyes on Music – Hand in Place 8
Glue your Thumb to G 9
Pulling it all together 10
Self Check 11
Playing with Both Hands 12
Counting Both Hands 13
More Hands Together 14
A Happy Rhythm 15
A New Chord: G7 16
G7 Chord as Notes 17
Counting Review 18
Smooth Chord Changes 19
Smooth and Steady 20
Switchback Trails 21
My First Real Song 22
Mary and Beethoven 23
Mary Had a Little Lamb 24
Ode to Joy 25
About Level 3

By the end of level three, you will be able to read simple music
and play easy songs with both hands at the same time!

I hope you paid very close attention to levels 1 and 2 because

you will need to know all those new skills to be able to learn
level 3.

I know you are excited that you are actually learning to read
music and count rhythm. Even though you are excited and
want to learn fast, you need to take your time and practice
each lesson thoroughly before moving to the next lesson.

1
Chords

A CHORD (pronounced: kord) is defined as "a combination of

two or more tones which sound harmonious when heard at the
same time".

In simple words...A chord is when you play 2 or more notes

that sound good together all at the same time.

Remember the left hand challenge I gave you at the

end of Level One?
Now it’s time to learn more about how to use your left hand to
play chords.

The first few pages of level 3 will look familiar because you
saw some of them in level 1.

2
Placing your Left Hand in C Position

On the piano below, I colored the C position below Middle C.

This is the C position for your left hand.

When your left hand is in C position, your #5 finger will be on

C, not your thumb.

Use Left Hand

C C4 321 C C

Middle C

3
Double Check Left Hand

Look at the picture carefully.

Your left hand #5 finger (pinky finger) should be on C.
All your other fingers should be next to each other, with only
one finger on each key.

4
Playing the C Chord

With your left hand in C position you will play three

keys at the same time. Here are the keys you will play:

Your #5 finger (on C),

your #3 finger, (on E)
and your thumb (on G).

If you do this right, you will be pushing down three keys

all at the same time.
This is called the C Chord.

5 3 1

5
The C Chord as Notes

The notes you see on this page is what C chord looks like when
it is written as notes.

As you can see, the C chord has 3 notes.

There is one note for each finger that you played on page 5.

This is G, the note that your thumb played.

This is E, the note that #3 finger played.
This is C, the note that your pinky played.

This is the Bass Clef. It tells you to play with your left hand.
Sometimes it is called the F Clef.

When you see these 3 notes, stacked on top of each other,

you will play the C chord that you learned on page 5.

Go back to page 5 and play the C chord 8 times in a row.

6
C Chord Practice

Let’s review how to count:

This is a C chord written as quarter notes.

Play and hold all three notes at the same time
and count: tick-tock

This is a C chord written as half notes.

Play and hold all three notes at the same time
and count: tick-tock-tick-tock

Play and count out loud:

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock - tick-tock

Go back to page 5 if you forgot how to play a C chord.

7
Eyes on Music – Hand in Place

How to keep your left hand in place for a C chord:

First, place your left hand in C position,
with your fingers ready to play a C chord.

Now close your eyes and imagine that your thumb is glued to
the piano and no matter what, you can’t move it.

Make sure your other fingers are in position to play C chord.

With your eyes closed, play four C chords in a row.

If any of your other fingers accidentally move out of place, do

not look to find their place because if your thumb is glued to
the right key, all you have to do is feel the keys with your
fingers to find their place again.

If you move your thumb, you will have to look to find your
place again, so do not move your thumb.
The key that your thumb is glued to is G.

Play the chord exercise on the next page and do not look at
your fingers! Have fun!

8
Glue your Thumb to G

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock - tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock - tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

How did you do? Did keeping your thumb glued to the
piano help you keep your fingers in the right place?
Continue to play this game when you play the C chords.
We will be learning a different chord in a few pages, so it’s
going to be important to be able to keep your thumb glued to
the piano.

9
Putting it all Together

Look at the music below and let’s describe what you see:

1. There are two measures.

2. The two measures are divided by a dotted line.
3. Above the dotted line is for right hand notes because
there is a treble clef placed at the beginning of it.
4. Below the dotted line is for left hand notes because
there is a bass clef placed at the beginning of it.

Try to play this without any further instruction.

Don’t worry, I will tell you if you played it correct on the next
page.

Hint: You will need to place both hands in position.

10
Self Check

How did you do?

1. First, your right hand plays four Middle C’s, while your
left hand rests for 4 beats.
2. Then your left hand plays four C chords, while your right
hand rests for 4 beats.

Did you keep your eyes on the music?

Did you keep your left hand thumb glued to the piano?

11
Playing with Both Hands

In this song, there are two times where you will actually play
notes with both hands at the same exact time.

Your right hand will play Middle C, while your left hand plays a
C chord at the same exact time.

12
Counting Both Hands

On this song, the “tick-tock” beats are added in the middle.

The arrow that is pointing through the Middle C and the

C chord tells you that when you say “tick-tock”, you only have
to say it once for the right hand and left hand at the same
time.

G E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

E G
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Play this song with eyes on music and counting out loud.

13
More Hands Together

This song starts with your right hand playing G and your
left hand playing the C chord at the same time.

G FGF E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

E FGE
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Don’t forget to hold and count the white C chords, (half notes)
for two beats: “tick tock tick tock”

14
A Happy Rhythm

Here’s a happy little tune that you will enjoy playing.

This is a little different than the other songs.
All of your songs so far started with your right hand.
This one starts with your left hand playing a C chord.

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

E
tick-tock tick-tock
GG
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

G
tick-tock tick-tock
E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

15
A New Chord: G7

Ready for something different with your left hand?

With your left hand in C position you will play two

keys at the same time. Here are the keys you will play:

Your thumb (on G) and

your #2 finger right next to it on F.

If you do this right, you will be pushing down two keys

at the same time.
This is the easy way to play a G7 Chord.

2 1

16
G7 Chord as Notes

There are only two notes in the easy version of the G7 chord.
You probably noticed that it is easier to play than the C chord.

I also want you to notice that there is one note in the

G7 chord that is also in the C chord.

Do you know which on it is?

It’s the one that your thumb plays – the G!

Go back to page 6 to see the G in the C chord.

This is G, the note that your thumb plays.

This is F, the note that #2 finger plays.

There are many ways a G7 chord can be played.

This is an easy version of the G7 Chord.

17
Counting Review

Let’s review how to count:

This is a G7 chord written as quarter notes.

Play both notes at the same time
and count: tick-tock

This is a G7 chord written as half notes.

Play both notes at the same time
and count: tick-tock-tick-tock

This will be very easy to play if you pretend that your thumb
is glued to G!

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

18
Smooth Chord Changes

When you switch your fingers back and forth between the
C chord and the G7 chord, you will feel yourself pause
and your tick-tock beats will not be very smooth.

Your goal is to switch between the chords without a pause and

without looking at your fingers.
This feels like a hard goal at first, but it really is easy.
You might even be able to play smoothly it right away.

The next couple of pages will give you a chance to teach your
fingers how to switch between chords.

Take your time, count out loud and keep smiling!

If you become frustrated, stop practicing and come back when
you are smiling again.

Good luck!

19
Smooth and Steady

You will notice that I didn’t write the tick-tocks under

some of the chords. By now, you should be able to count them
without any help. 

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

20
Switchback Trails

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

21
My First Real Song

The real fun is about to begin! This song includes both chords,
C chord and G7 chord. When you add chords to a song it
makes you sound like a pro!

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

E
tick-tock tick-tock
GG
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

G
tick-tock tick-tock
E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

22
Mary and Beethoven

The last two songs of lesson three are the same songs as the
last two songs of lesson 2.

Mary had a Little Lamb, and Ode to Joy by Beethoven.

This time they will sound different because you will be playing
them with two hands!

There is just one new counting rule I want you to notice when
you play the next two songs.

E D
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock
DE E E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

This is a half note C chord. You will hold it

down and count “tick-tock-tick-tock” at the same time that
you are playing the right hand E and D. The “tick-tock-tick-
tock” will match the right hand and the left hand at the same
time.

23
Mary Had a Little Lamb

E D
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock
DE E E
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Hold this down while Hold this down while

you play E and D. you play E and E.

D D D
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock
E GG
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Hold this down while

you play D and D.

E D
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock
DE E EE
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

D D ED
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

24
Ode to Joy

EE FGG FED
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Hold this down while

you play E and E.

tick-tock tick-tock
DE E DD
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

EE FGG FED
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

tick-tock tick-tock
DE D
tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

25
An Awesome Head Start…

Congratulations!

You are officially an intermediate-beginner pianist!

Here is an example of what you just played:

You will be able to read these notes plus more in Lesson 4 and beyond.
To continue your lessons contact Lisa at:
[email protected] or visit:
http://www.learnpianoonline.com to find out more about your lesson choices.

26
Level Four Contents

The Magic of Level 4 2

Looking at Real Music 3
A Closer Look at Real Music 4
Playing Music on the Grand Staff 5
Playing Music and Counting 6
Counting Whole Notes 7
More with Whole Notes 8
Learning More Notes 9
One Note at a Time: G 10
Secret #1 to Reading Notes 11
Playing with Different Fingers 12
Finger Numbers 14
Reading Finger Numbers 15
Ready for a Little Challenge? 17
Middle C with a Different Finger 18
Reading Music 19
Why Switch Fingers? 20
Notating Notes 21
New Note: E 22
Changing Positions 23
Changing Positions in a Song 24
Finger Check: The Parenthesis Tool 25
Notating E and G 26
Secret #2 to Reading Music 27
The Line Song 28
Notes in Spaces 29
F as a Note 30
Playing F and G 31
Play and Count Out Loud 32
Changing Position Practice 33
New Note: D 34
Congratulations! 35
Mary Had a Little Lamb 36
Ode to Joy 37
Preparing for Lesson 5 38
G7 Chord on the Staff 39
G7 Chord Practice 40
Assignment: Part One 41
Assignment: Part Two 42
Blank Staff Paper 43

1
The Magic of Level 4

Believe it or not, lesson 4 is the most important segment of

this entire course! It is the experience of over 20 years of
dedicated teaching and literally hundreds of revisions until I
was sure, 100% positive that this particular segment of my
curriculum was the part that will set a foundation so solid that
the rate of your progress after this lesson will be considerably
accelerated.

Within this segment are proprietary, exclusive, never used

before teaching techniques that will give you a head start over
any other curriculum found on the planet!
This lesson is exciting!

By the end of level four, you will be well on your way to

learning how to read music with all the common barriers out of
the way, with a clear understanding of how your fingers work,
how rhythm is counted and how to differentiate and locate
notes both on the staff, and on the piano.

2
Looking at Real Music

In Level 3, the music you were playing looked like this:

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

E
tick-tock tick-tock
Gtick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Here is what the above music looks like when it is written

as real music.

E G

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

3
A Closer Look at Real Music

When the treble staff and the bass staff are connected,
they are called the GRAND STAFF.

Treble Staff (for right hand notes)

Grand Staff

Bass Staff (for left hand notes)

* There are two measures. The second measure has a thick

black line around it for you to see that a measure on the
grand staff includes the treble and bass staff.

4
Playing Music on the Grand Staff

Play the notes on the Grand Staff the same way as you
played the music at the end of level 3:

Start with both hands in their separate C positions.

Play both hands at the same time when they are aligned with
each other. The first measure has a circle showing you what
they look like when they are aligned with each other.

Easy! Now you are reading real music on a Grand Staff!

5
Playing Music and Counting

It’s time to learn a new counting method.

You will not be counting with “tick tock” any longer.
You will now count with numbers.

Quarter notes = 1 beat

“1 and” or “2 and” or “3 and” or “4 and”

Half notes = 2 beats

“1 and 2 and” or “3 and 4 and”

Count this song out loud as you play it.

The beats are written for you.

1& 2& 3& 4&

1& 2& 3& 4&

1& 2& 3& 4& 1&2& 3&4&

6
Counting Whole Notes

A whole note looks like this:

A half note looks like this:

How do they look different?

The difference is that the half note has

a stem, and the whole note does not have a stem.

Whole notes = 4 beats = “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and”

When you play a whole note, you will hold it down and count
all 4 beats before you let go.

Play the following:

This is Middle C as a whole note.

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3& 4&

This is C Chord as a whole note.

7
More with Whole Notes

A closer look at counting.

Measure 1: Play and hold both hands down until you finish counting all
4 beats.
Measure 2: Your right hand will rest for 4 beats while you play and
hold the G7 chord for 4 beats. (Whole rest = 4 beats)
Measure 3: Play and hold the C chord (left hand) while you play the
Middle C’s with your right hand.
Measure 4: Play and hold the Middle C (right hand) while you play the
chords with your left hand.
This is a Whole Rest.
Hold for 4 beats. Rest your right hand for 4 beats.

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3& 4&

Hold for 4 beats.

Hold for 4 beats.

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3& 4&

Hold for 4 beats while playing Hold for 4 beats while playing
the 4 Middle C’s with right the chords with left hand.
hand.

8
Learning More Notes

In level 3, you learned how to play the keys C, D, E, F and G.

You learned what Middle C looks like as a note on the staff.

Now, let’s take a sneak peek at what the other keys look
like as notes on the Grand Staff.

Play this song by using the letter names as you did in

Level 3:

E F G G G
D

G F E D

9
One Note at a Time: G

As you can see, there a many notes to recognize and memorize.

You will learn one note at a time for now.

Can you guess which of the following notes is a G?

Did you choose the note on the second line?

When you count the lines of the staff,
start with the bottom line.
The G is written on the line #2 of the treble staff.
Line #2 is called the G line.

In the following example, G is written twice as a quarter note

and once as a half note:

Line #2 G Line
Line #1

10
Secret #1 to Reading Notes

If your thumb is on Middle C, then your #5 finger will

naturally land on G. Yes, you already know this, but now I am
going to tell you a secret that will change how you will always
play the piano.

Secret #1 to reading music is to know that you can play any

key with any finger.

In the beginning I wanted you to learn how to keep your

fingers in the same position. Now that you have learned that,
I am going to teach you how to move your fingers into other
positions so that you can read more music and reach more keys
on the piano.

You don’t always have to play Middle C with your thumb, and
you don’t always have to play G with your #5 finger.
You can’t play all the keys on the piano with your fingers
stuck in one position, so let’s learn how to play any key with
any finger! 

Of course there are rules, and you will learn them as we go.

11
Playing with Different Fingers

Finger Practice #1:

With your right hand, locate and play G with your #5 finger:

Now put #4 finger on G, and play it with your #4 finger.

12
Switch fingers again and play G with your #3 finger.

Play G with #2 finger, and finally, play G with your thumb.

Did it feel different to play G with different fingers?

There is a purpose for this exercise, trust me! 

13
Finger Numbers

Finger Practice #2:

The numbers that are above the notes are called

Finger Numbers.
Play the following G’s using the finger
that the finger number tells you to use:

5 4 3

Answer this question:

Where is G located on the piano?

Describe it’s location while looking at your piano and
looking directly at the G.

For example: G is a white key located between

the first two black keys within a group of three black keys.

Now, locate and play every G on your piano. They will be in

the same location, (within every group of 3 black keys).

14
Reading Finger Numbers

The following song has a finger number written above each G.

Play G with the finger that is written above it.
Play every Middle C with your thumb.

5 4 5 5

5 5 4 4 5

Reminder:
In measures 1, 2 and 3, the left hand plays a whole note chord.
Remember to play and hold it down while you play the right
hand.

15
Did you remember to count out loud?

It’s easy to forget to count out loud when you are

concentrating on where the notes are. I understand. 
Here is the same song as the last page.
Play it again, and this time don’t forget to count out loud:

5 4 5 5

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

5 5 4 4 5

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

16
Ready for a Little Challenge?

Everything you have learned is in this next song.

It is normal for each song become a little bit more challenging
than the last, so take your time and know that each song will
take a little longer to learn. Have fun!

5 4 5 5

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

5 4 5

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

17
Middle C with a Different Finger

Look at the next page, called “Reading Music”.

You will see an exercise that shows Middle C as the first note
with a number 1 above it telling you to play it with your
thumb, as usual.
The second note is Middle C as well, with a number 2 above it.
What does that number tell you? You are correct!
You will play Middle C with your #2 finger.

Like this:

18
Reading Music

Congratulations! You are reading music! 

Fingering Rule: If a finger number is not written above a note,

use the finger that is already in position.

1 2 1 2 1

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

Did you use correct fingering when there was no finger number?
Check yourself: Measure #1: 5 on G, Measure #2: 1 on C,
Measure #3: 5 on G,G,G, Measure #4: 5 on G, and 1 on C,C.

19
Why Switch Fingers?

How many fingers do you have?

How many keys are there on your keyboard or piano?

It is easy to see that there are more keys on the keyboard

than you have on your hands. Learning how to switch fingers
will allow you to play all the keys on your keyboard easily and
smoothly.  (With a few easy rules you will learn as you go.)

Right now, you have enough fingers to play the keys that you
have already learned. Later, you will not have enough fingers
to play all the keys. So why am I teaching you how to change
fingers now?
The reason I am teaching you now is so that switching fingers
will become a habit, a part of how you will always read music
and play the piano. When it’s time to learn new notes, you
will be delighted that you will know how to reach them and
play them by switching fingers, something that will already be
a good habit!

Learning fingering early is one of the secrets to learning how

to read music quickly. You will slow down your progress if you
ignore the finger numbers, (or if you ignore counting out loud).
Follow everything in these lessons and your success will be
guaranteed! 

20
Notating Notes

Notating is what you are doing when you are drawing notes.
On this page, you will notate (draw) Middle C and G.

Below you will see that I notated one Middle C as a quarter note
and one Middle C as a whole note.
I want you to notate 2 more Middle C’s as quarter notes and 2 more as
whole notes:

Below you will see that I notated one G as a whole note, and one G as a
half note.
I want you to notate 2 more G’s as whole notes, and 2 more as
half notes:

21
New Note: E

E is the note on the first line of the treble staff.

This song starts with your #3 finger on E.

Place your #3 finger on E, then place your other fingers in
position around it. Do you recognize this position? 

E
1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

Did you forget where E is located on the piano?

It is the 3rd key to the right of Middle C.

22
Changing Positions

All you need is your piano for this exercise.

1. Place your thumb on Middle C. Now place the rest of

your fingers in their natural places. #2 will be on D, #3
on E, #4 on F, and #5 on G.
2. Place your thumb on D. Now place the rest of your
fingers in their natural places. #2 will be on E, #3 on F,
#4 on G and #5 on A. (A is the key after G)
3. Place your thumb on E. Now place the rest of your
fingers in their natural places. You know how to do it
now. 

As you can see, whenever you change one finger the rest of
the fingers have to change also. Here’s some more to try:

1. Place your #3 finger on E. Now place the rest of your

fingers in their places. (Your thumb should be on Middle C if
you did it correctly)
2. Place your #3 finger on G and the rest of your fingers in
their places. (Your thumb should be on E)
3. Place your #2 finger on G, and the rest of your fingers in
position. (Your thumb should be on F)

23
Changing Positions in a Song

When a finger number moves your hand to another position,

there does not have to be finger numbers above the notes that
use that position. If there is no finger number, then simply
use the finger that is already sitting on that note.

Continue to play the notes with no finger

numbers with the fingers that are naturally
in place when you placed #3 on E.

1 2 3

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

Change and stay in new position Change and stay in new position

3 5

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

24
Finger Check: The Parenthesis Tool

The parenthesis tool is designed for you to check to see if you

are using the correct fingers.
The finger numbers that are missing from the previous song are
written here in parenthesis ( ). (This is the same song)
The number in parenthesis tells you where your finger should
be if you did everything correctly.
If the finger you are using does not match the finger in the
parenthesis ( ), you need to go back and correct your fingering.

1 2 3 (3) (1) (5) (5)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

3 (1) (3) (1) 5 (3) (1)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

25
Notating E and G

Which line is G notated on? Line 1 or 2? ____

Which line is E notated on? Line 1 or 2? ____

Notate six E’s on the correct line of the treble staff below:
(Use quarter notes, half notes and whole notes.)

Notate six G’s on the correct line on the treble staff below:
(Use quarter notes, half notes and whole notes.)

26
Secret #2 to Reading Music

Secret #2 to reading music fast is to know the name of the

line the note is written on.

G is the name of the second line of the staff. When there is a

note on it, that note is called G, and you will play G.

E is the name of the first line of the staff. When there is a

note on it, that note is called E and you will play E.

When you look at Middle C, you will see that it hangs below
the staff with it’s own little line through it.

How fast can you play these two measures by naming the
lines? When you play them, say to yourself “E line”, “G line”,
or “Middle C line”.

1 (1)

27
The Line Song

Let’s try something new. When you play this song, say the
names of the lines out loud instead of counting the beats.
Say “C-line, G-line, or E-line”.

C- G- E- G-

Continue saying the line notes out loud, you do not have to
say the name of the chords.

5 (5)

28
Notes in Spaces

Notes are also written in between the lines.

Any note that does not have a line through the middle of
it’s note head, is called a space note.

(Don’t worry, I am only showing you all the space notes on the staff,
you will only learn a couple of them at a time.)

Which one of the following notes is a space note?

29
F as a Note

If you chose the second note, you are correct!

The name of this note is F because it is notated (drawn)

in the F space.

Do you remember how to find F on the piano?

Here is a reminder:

When your thumb is on Middle C, your #4 will naturally

be placed on F.

Describing the location of F on the piano is easy.

It is the white key on the left side of the group of 3 black
keys. Am I right? Look at F on the piano and describe it.

30
Playing F and G

How well do you see?

While you play this song, train your eyes to see the
difference between a line note and a space note.

When you play F, say “F-space”, when you play G say

“G-line”. Say this out loud. Do not skip this step.
It is VERY important that you say this out loud.
Pay attention to the finger number. There is a #2 on F.
If #2 is on F, then which finger do you use on G?

2 (3)

(3)

31
Play and Count Out Loud

Use the parenthesis number to make sure your fingers are in

the correct place. 

1 (3) (4)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

(3)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

32
Changing Position Practice

Here are two short practices for changing positions.

The first one does not require the left hand:

1 (3) 3 (2)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

The first note is E. Which finger will you use?

1 2 3 (3)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

33
New Note: D

D is the note that is positioned under the first line of the

treble staff with the top of it’s note head touching the line.
D is a space note because it does not have a line going through
the middle of it’s note head.

Do you remember where D is located on the piano?

It is the key right after Middle C.

Play this song with correct fingering and count out loud.

D
1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

(1)

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3&4&

34
Progress Test – Two Familiar Songs

The next two songs are written in 100% sheet music!

You are now reading real notes on the staff and also counting
the beats. Some of the beats are written for you, but by now,
you should be able to write in the missing beats, or just count
them without writing them.

The next two songs are songs you have already played.
Mary Had a Little Lamb and Ode to Joy.
Compare them to what the looked like at the end of lesson 3.
You will see how much you have progressed in your music
reading skills. 

Pay very close attention to the finger changes in the following

two songs. They will be different than when you played these
songs in lesson 3. Same notes, same song, with different
fingers. 

35
Mary Had a Little Lamb

3 3 2 3

1& 2& 3& 4& 1& 2& 3& 4&

2 1 2 (3)

3& 4& 3& 4&

(3)

(2)

1& 2& 3& 4&

36
Ode to Joy
1 (3) 5

1& 2& 3& 4&

(1) (3)

1& 2& 3& 4&

1 (3) 5

1& 2& 3& 4&

(1)

1& 2& 3& 4&

37
Preparing for Lesson 5: The “Common” G7 Chord

You have been playing the Easy G7 chord.

Now it’s time to learn how to play the Common G7 Chord.

It’s really easy, it is the same except you add one more finger.

The pictures below will show you how to do it.

Fingers 1 and 2 stay the same as the easy version.

Add finger 5 by playing the key below C.
Finger 5 will need to stretch just a little to reach it.

5 2 1

38
G7 Chord on the Staff

There are only two notes in the easy version of the G7 chord.
There are three notes in the common version of the G7 chord.

This is G, the note that your thumb plays.

This is F, the note that #2 finger plays.

This is B, the note that #5 finger plays.

There are many ways a G7 chord can be played.

This is the common version of the G7 Chord.

You might notice that the letter names of the

notes on the bass staff (left hand) are different
than the letter names of the notes on the treble
staff (right hand).

You will learn more about that later.

39
G7 Chord Practice

This practice only requires your left hand. You will practice
both the easy G7 chord and the common G7 chord.
*Notice the common G7 chord in measure 5. I circled it for you. I wanted you
to notice it because it looks a little strange when it is written as a whole note
without the stem.
I just wanted you to know that it is a common G7 chord, and that you still
play all three notes at the same time.

40
Assignment: Part One

Do not skip this assignment.

First, you will practice notating the common G7 chord.

Notate (draw) the G7 chord as whole notes (without a stem):

Notate (draw) the G7 chord as half notes (with a stem):

*Notice that the new note is written far below the two notes that are
touching each other. Also notice that the new note is notated (drawn)
on the second line of the staff.
You need to know this for the assignment on the next page.

41
Assignment: Part Two

Do not skip this assignment.

Now that you have notated the G7 chord, go back to

Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Ode to Joy and look for
all the easy G7 chords. Take your pencil with you!

Change each easy G7 chord to look like the Common G7 chord

by adding the new note to them.
(Yes, you will notate (draw) the new note on these easy G7 chords.)

After adding the new note to each of them, practice these two
songs again using the Common G7 chord instead of the
Easy G7 chord.

When you are comfortable playing those two songs with the
common G7 chord, correct fingering, and correct counting, then
you can officially graduate from Lesson 4 to Lesson 5.

42
Staff Paper

The next few pages are blank staff paper for you to use
to practice notating notes. The more practice you have
with actually notating (writing) notes, the quicker you will
learn and memorize them. Feel free to print as many as
these pages as you need to use throughout the entire
course.

43
Treble Staff Paper: For notating right hand notes

44
Bass Staff Paper: For notating left hand chords and notes

45
L5 – Week 10

Overview of Lesson 5 1
Rhythm Change 2
Rhythm Watch 3
Time Signature 4
Test Time 5
Lesson 5 Overview
You will be learning and/or improving in the following
areas:

• Rhythm
• Time Signature
• Dotted Half Notes
• Correct Fingering
• New Bass Staff Notes

If you have internet access, you can use the audio

clips for additional clarification of lessons taught.

The audio clips are not necessary for your success

and are not considered part of your lesson purchase.
They are offered as a free source of support.

http://www.learnpianoonline.com/videoclips.html

1
Rhythm Change
Notice that the arrows are pointing to half notes.
The count for each half note starts on the second beat of the measure.
Give it 2 full beats as written below the notes. (2 & 3 &)

Follow the directions to avoid playing the rhythm of this song incorrectly:
1. Count the beats slowly and keep a steady rhythm with your voice.
2. Make sure you play the note at the exact same time you say it's beat.
3. Make sure that there is no hesitation in your voice between measures.
For example, when you play and say the last beat of a measure (4 &),
there should be absolutely no pause in the rhythm of your voice before you
say and play 1 &. I boxed the areas where you need to be extra careful.
4. You will notice that when you have played this song correctly, the rhythm
sounds different than any of the previous songs you have played.
Even though the rhythm of your counting voice did not change,
the placement of the half notes made the rhythm sound unique.

If you trained yourself well in previous lessons, then you will not have a problem as long
as your fingers are following the rhythm of your counting.

& œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ w1 &
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

? ∑ ∑ ∑

Lesson 5 - 1a
Rhythm Watch
1. Make sure your counting voice does not hesitate to allow your fingers to
"locate" a note. If you start counting too fast for you to be able play a note
at the exact moment you count it's beat, start over and count slower.
After you learn the song at a slow, steady beat without mistakes, then you may
count a little faster.
2. There are several finger position changes. They are circled for you.
The numbers in parenthesis are there for you to check to see if your position is
correct. They do not indicate a position change.
3. Be extra careful between measures. If your counting voice is steady and
your fingers are following like they have been trained, then you will not have
a problem with this song.

1 1
& ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ w
(3) (4)

? www www www www

1&2&3&4& 1&2&3&4& 1&2&3&4& 1& 2 & 3 & 4&

1 (3) 4
& ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ w
? www www www www
1&2&3&4& 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1& 2 & 3 & 4&

Lesson 5 - 1b
The Time Signature

1. The Time Signature tells you how to count the beats of a song.
2. The Time Signature is located at the beginning of a song.
3. There are 2 numbers.
4. The top number tells you how many beats are in each measure throughout
the entire song. The following example has the top number circled. Highlight it.
5. The bottom number is the number not circled. The bottom number tells you
what type of note will receive 1 beat. The 4 represents a quarter note, which is
indicating that quarter notes receive 1 beat.
6. By looking at the top number, this example tells you that each measure of this
song will receive 4 beats. All the songs you have played so far has received
4 beats to each measure with the quarter note (black with a stem) receiving 1 beat.

The top number is the number you will be paying attention to.

4
&4
1
˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ w
? 44 ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ www
1& 2 & 3& 4& 1 & 2& 3& 4&

∑ ∑

Lesson 5 - 1c
Test Time

On page 1c, how many beats does each measure receive?_____

Where did you find the answer for question #1?_________

On page 1c, what kind of notes (half or whole) are in the second
measure?_________

On page 1c, does the last measure contains a whole note or half
note?___________

Four quarter notes equal _________beats.

Two half notes equal_______beats.

The Time Signature tells you what time it is: True or False

The Time Signature tell you how to count the beats of a song:
True or False

It’s OK to practice without counting out loud. True or False

Fingering does not matter as long as the song sounds good.

True or False

It’s OK to slow down my counting voice in the middle of a song

so that my fingers have time to find a note. True or False.

Answers are found on page 4

2
L5 – Week 11

Dotted Half Notes 1

Flower Waltz 2
Three Step Waltz 3
Autumn Leaves 4
Dotted Half Notes

Description of the dotted half note: A dotted half note is a half note (white with
a stem) with a dot next to its note head.

1. The dotted half note receives 3 beats.

2. Notice that the time signature tells you that you will be counting 3 beats to each
measure. (You will not be counting to 4 like you are used to)
3. This is a very short simple exercise that will introduce you to the dotted half note
and to counting 3 beats per measure.

3 1
& 4 ˙. ˙. œ œ œ ˙.
? 34 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ ..
1 & 2&3& 1 & 2&3& 1 &2& 3& 1 &2&3&

. .

Lesson 5 - 2a
Flower Waltz
New fingering movement:

1. Start as indicated: #1 (thumb) on E.

2. In measure 2, you will see #1 on D. Reach and play D with your thumb,
keeping #3 on G. There is no need to move your whole hand out of position when
there is only one note that needs to be played with a different finger.
Your thumb will briefly reach out of position several times during this song.
3. As you practice this song, you will feel the smoothnes of this movement.
Notice that measure 7 requires you to move your hand to a new position.
4. The time signature indicates 3 beats per measure.

3 1 (3)

&4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
(3) 1 1 (3) 1

˙.
? 34 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...
1 & 2&3& 1 & 2&3& 1 &2& 3& 1 &2&3&

1 1
& œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 (3)

œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...

Lesson 5 - 2b
Three Step Waltz

1. Be extra careful in measures 2 and 6. Make sure you give the half note 2 full
counts, (1&2&) before playing the counting the 3rd beat.
2. The counting is given to you in the first 2 measures. That does not mean to
stop counting, it means that I know you can continue to count correctly without
me writing it for you.
3. You may write in the counting for the other measures if you wish.

3 3
& 4 ˙. ˙.
˙ œ ˙.
? 34 Œ œœœ œœœ œ œ œ œ
1 &2 & 3& 1 &2 & 3&

∑ Œ œ œœ
œ Œ œ œœ
œ

& ˙. ˙ ˙.
œ ˙.
? Œ œœœ œœœ ∑ Œ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ ...

Lesson 5 - 2c
1. Watch your fingering.
2. Count out loud.
3. Eyes on music. Autumn Leaves
4. Write in the correct counting.

3 1
&4 œ œ œ
1

˙ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? 34 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...
1 &2 & 3& 1 &2 & 3&
˙ Œ

& œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙ ... ˙˙ Œ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...
˙ ˙

& œ œ
1
œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ Œ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...

5
& œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ Œ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...

Lesson 5 - 2d
L5 - Week 12

Single Bass Notes 1

Bass Staff Notes 2
Bass Note Practice 3
Bugle Call 4
Four Drum Beats 5
Passing a Song 6
Single Bass Notes
Are you ready to play something new with the left hand?

The following diagram shows the notes of the C Chord

as separate single notes. The direction of the stem is unimportant.

When practicing these new notes, do not write their letter names
on your music. There are only 3 notes. As you practice, you will
find that you will start to memorize them immediately.

3
Bass Staff Notes
1. Write in the correct counting.
2. Play the left hand in it's usual C Chord position.
3. The first and third measure contains your new bass notes, C E and G.

3
&4 ∑
1
œ ∑ œ
œ œ œ œ
? 34 œ œ œ œ
1 &2 & 3&

∑ œ œ ∑
C E G

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? œœ Ó œœœ Ó œœœ Ó ˙˙˙ ..
.
œ

Lesson 5 - 3a
Bass Note Practice
1. Write in the correct counting.
2. Stay in C position.
3. Eyes on music!

3 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
&4

? 34 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 &2 & 3&

œ
C

& ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

?œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙.

Lesson 5 - 3b
1. Count out loud.
2. Eyes on music. Bugle Call
3. Write in the correct counting.

3
&4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

? 34 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 & 2 & 3&
˙.

2
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙ ... ∑ ˙˙˙ ... ∑
˙

& ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

?œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙.

& œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ ˙.
? ˙˙ ... ∑ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ ...
˙

Lesson 5 - 3c
1. 4 beats per measure.
2. Eyes on music. Four Drum Beats
3. Write in the correct counting.

4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
&4

? 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
1 & 2 & 3& 4&
œ œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
?˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ ww
w

& ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

?œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
?˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ ww
w

Lesson 5 - 3d
Passing a Song
How are you doing? Do you feel like you are progressing
well? Without a teacher present, it’s hard to know when you
are ready to “pass” a song and move to the next. Here is
a guide for you to follow.

You are ready to “pass” a song if:

1. You are past the initial “concentration period” where

you are focusing on notes, fingers and counting.

2. Being past the initial “concentration period” means you

are playing your song with very little effort. You should
be able to hear it and enjoy it, you should be using
correct fingering with little or no thought, and your
rhythm should be so smooth that you do not need to rely
on counting each beat.

3. Playing each note correct, using correct fingering and

counted each beat is not enough to pass a song. You
need to have practiced the song many, many times to
experience the joy of playing the piano and not just the
technicalities of playing it right.

Answers to page 2: 4, the top number of the time signature, half notes, whole
note, 4, 4, false, true, false, false, false.
L5 – Week 13

Bass Note Pattern 1

Alouette 2
Bass Note Pattern
1. The following exercise shows a left hand pattern that you will play in your
next song, Alouette.
2. Repeat this exercise several times until you can play it well.

4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
&4

? 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
1& 2& 3& 4&

Instructions for Alouette

1. Measure 1 has a quarter rest circled, reminding you to release the C chord
for the 4th beat.
2. Highlight the bass notes of measures 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, and 14.
3. These highlighted notes shows the pattern you learned on this page.
4. The line in measure #4 between Middle C and the G of the bass staff is
showing you that G is part of the melody. It does not tell you to do anything.

Alouette will be your most challenging song, so give yourself a week or two
to be able to play it smoothly.

Lesson 5 - 4a
Alouette
Instructions on Page 4a

4 1 Ó
& 4 ˙. œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙
? 44 ˙˙˙ ... Œ œ œ œ œ www ˙˙ ˙
1 & 2 & 3& 4&
˙

& . œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ
˙ w
? ˙˙˙ ... Œ w
œ œ œ œ ww
www

& ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
? œœœ Œ œœœ Œ œ œ œ œ œœœ Œ œœœ Œ œ œ œ œ

& ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
˙ w
?œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ww ww
w
w

Lesson 5 - 4b
L5 – Week 14

Practice Makes Perfect? 1

Perfect Practice 2
Nature Walk 3
Dear Student 4
Practice Makes Perfect?
I would change it to say: “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect”
Why would I say that?
If you practice something wrong, then you will practice getting it
wrong.
If you practice something right, then you will practice getting it
perfect.
I have heard many students say to me, “but I practiced it all week!”
My response is, “I don’t doubt that you did, but you must have
practiced it wrong.”

When you practice, do not correct mistakes at the exact spot of the
mistake. What will happen is that every time you correct the spot that
you make a repeated mistake, you will have “practiced correcting it”
so many times, that it becomes a habit to make the mistake first, then
correct it. Haven’t you ever wondered why you make the same
mistakes over and over?

Concentrate on the “mistake spot” in your song by practicing it

separate from the song. Start 1 full measure before the mistake and
include 1 measure after the mistake. Practice this isolated area
at a VERY slow counting tempo so that there is plenty of time to
play it correctly. Make sure you can play it correctly at least 15-20
times in a row. When you can play the isolated area without making
a mistake, then you can add it back into the song.

When you are struggling with an entire song, only practice the first
2-3 measures. When it’s smooth, add another 2-3 measures. Keep
adding a couple measures at a time until you have practiced the entire
song in small segments. This is a very effective way to practice any
song and is highly recommended as your songs become more
challenging. You will be pleased with the results of this practice
procedure.

5
1. Watch your fingering.
2. Count out loud. Perfect Practice
3. Eyes on music.

3
& 4 Œ œ œ ˙. Œ
1 1

œ œ ˙.
? 34 œ Ó Œ œœœ œœœ œ Ó Œ œœœ œœœ
1 &2 & 3& 1 &2 & 3&

& Œ
1 5

œ œ ˙. œ œ œ ˙.
?œ Ó Œ œœœ œœœ ∑ Œ œœœ œœœ

5
& œ œ ˙. œ œ œ ˙.
œ
? ∑ Œ œœœ œœœ ∑ Œ œœœ œœœ

& œ œ ˙. œ œ œ
œ ˙.
? ∑ Œ œœœ œœœ ∑ ˙˙˙ ...

Lesson 5 - 5a
1. Watch your fingering.
2. Count out loud. Nature Walk
3. Eyes on music.

3 3
&4 ˙ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ ˙.
? 34 œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 &2 & 3& 1 &2 & 3&

& ˙ œ ˙
3
œ ˙ œ ˙.
? Œ œœ œœ Œ œœœ œœœ Œ œœœ œœœ Œ œœœ œœœ
œ œ
5
& ˙ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ
?œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙.
? œœ Ó œœœ Ó œ œ œ ˙˙˙ ...
œ

Lesson 5 - 5b
Dear Student,

Here we are again, at the end of another lesson.

How are you doing? Are you enjoying the piano?
At this point, your hands, fingers, eyes, voice and
brain should be working well together. Although you
should still be concentrating hard, your concentration
shouldn’t be as intense as it was in the beginning.

In other words, reading notes should be immediate at this

point. Counting should be a habit and a natural part of your
practice procedure. Changing fingers should be smooth and
easy.

I have trained you to count and have drilled it so much.

I want you to understand that the counting is especially
important to learn because you are teaching yourself,
unsupervised by a trained pianist. I am sure you have
noticed that there are so many things to remember, that it is
easy to overlook something. A trained pianist can
immediately see any problem areas and
point it out for you. These lessons will minimize the chance
that you will learn something wrong, but only if you do not
skip anything thinking it’s not important.
Anything that I repeatedly stress is important.

Lesson 6 will either be fun or frustrating depending on how

well you have disciplined yourself in being thorough with this
and previous lessons.