Play the Keyboard

1. 1 Play the Keyboard Green Level: Lesson 1 Press a key, or click the mouse to change each slide.

2. Learning Objectives In this lesson you will: • Learn to play three tunes • Learn to play some simple exercises • Learn about simple rhythm (note durations) • Think about how you practice

3. Duration (length) of notes This note lasts 1 beat This note lasts 2 beats Clap or tap this rhythm Count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 4 Clap this to your teacher before you move on

4. Get your fingers ready Here’s how we number fingers: Thumb is finger 1, little finger is 5 1 2 3 4 5 Put your fingers on the keyboard like this. Fingers bent and relaxed. Thumb on C. You are gong to play with your thumb (1), the index finger (20 and the middle finger (3).

5. Finger exercise Play these notes up and down lots of time. Play slowly and evenly. Keep your hand relaxed. Don’t play any notes at the same time, each note must sound on its own. C D E D C D E D C Th 2 3 2 Th 2 3 2 Th Use these fingers

6. Welsh Lullaby What a lovely simple piece – but I’ve only included three note names – try to read the rest. 2 beats 2 beats 2 beats 2 beats C D E Count 1 2 3 4 You only need the first three fingers – see the previous page

7. Mary had a little lamb There are many tunes to this song. This one only uses thre notes. Use the thumb and next two fingers only. Mary had a little lamb, her father shot it dead. Now it goes to school with her between to hunks of bread.

8. Well done! Green Level: Lesson 1 You have finished. Ask your teacher to listen to you play the last tune. Move on to Lesson 2.