UNIT 4: PIANO PRACTICE
The piano keyboard is one of keyboard instruments that produce sounds by
pressing different keys. By observing the piano keyboard, there are black and
white keys that are separated by a half step from a key to the nearest.4.1. Description of the piano keyboard
The letters C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C show the white keys of the keyboard which
are differentiated by different tones and semi tones as follows:
C-D: 1tone, D-E: 1tone, E-F: 1/2 tone, F-G: 1tone, G-A: 1tone, A-B: 1tone,B-C: 1/2 tone. This is what is known as a diatonic scale.
The letters C#(Db), D#(Eb), F#(Gb), G#(Ab) and A#(Bb) show the black keys of the
keyboard and they are altered. So when playing the keyboard both the keys are
used to make different melodies. Therefore, there is an interval of a semi tone
between two close keys. ie: C-C#, C#-D, D-D#, D#-E, E-F, F#-G, G-G#, G#-A,A-A#, A#-B and B-C.
Remember that for the piano playing, our fingers are given numbers.
4.2. Playing triad chords on the piano
Before playing any chord on the piano, it is crucial to first know how to position
the hands on the piano. Different chords are all played using the right hand so
as to be familiar with playing them.
4.2.1. Playing the chord of C major
This triad is played by pressing the tonic, the mediant and the dominant
simultaneously. It is a major triad because the interval between the tonic and themediant form a major interval (Major third).
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.2. Playing the chord of D minor
This triad is played by pressing the supertonic, the sub-dominant and the sub
mediant simultaneously. It is a minor triad because the interval between the
tonic and the mediant form a minor interval (minor third).On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.3. Playing the chord of E minor
This triad is played by pressing the mediant, the dominant and the leading tone
simultaneously. It is a minor triad because the interval between the mediant andthe dominant form a minor interval (minor third).
On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.4. Playing the chord of F major
This triad is played by pressing the sub-dominant, the sub-mediant and the
tonic simultaneously. It is a major triad because the interval between the subdominantand the sub-mediant form a major interval (major third).
On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.5. Playing the chord of G major
This triad is played by pressing the dominant, the leading tone and the supertonic
simultaneously. It is a major triad because the interval between the dominantand the leading tone form a major interval (major third).
On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.6. Playing the chord of A minor
This triad is played by pressing the sub-mediant, the tonic and the mediant
simultaneously. It is a minor triad because the interval between the sub-mediant
and the tonic form a minor interval (minor third).On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
4.2.7. Playing the chord of B diminished
This triad is played by pressing the leading tone, the super-tonic and the subdominant
simultaneously. It is a diminished triad because the interval between
the leading tone and the super-tonic form a minor interval and another minor
between the super-tonic and the sub-dominant.On a staff, we get:
On the piano keyboard the highlighted notes are pressed as follows:
Without making any inversion. The identified triads can be summarized in the
following staff. It is to be played as many times as possible to be familiar withtriads.
It is better to start with many triads and exercise to play them on the piano.
Below are some of those that can be used but others may be found or createdso as to practice more.
From the triads, it is easy to play ascending and descending C scale with
accompaniment. The staff below gives more details. It is observed that sometriads are inverted to get harmonic chords.
The roman numbers I, IV, V indicate Tonic, Subdominant, Dominant respectively.
Those degrees’ act as accompaniment in all melodies.Practices of C scale with accompaniment
4.3. Scales with accidentals
4.3.1. The scale of F major
As it was done in C scale, the scale of F major is made of different chords. So
it is just to play them on the piano keyboard following their accompaniment asshown in the following staff:
4.3.2. The scale of G major
The scale of G major is made of different chords and they are shown on thefollowing staff with their accompaniment.
Practice1:
Practice 2:
4.3.3. The scale of D major
D major scale is played respecting different chords that are accompanied asshown in the following staff.
Practice1:
Practice 2:
4.3.4. The scale of A major
The scale of A major is obtained by playing the following chords:
Practice1:
Practice2:
Practice1:
Practice 2:
4.3.6. The scale of B major
The scale of B is played by the combination of the following chords:
Practice1:
Practice 2:
Note:
On each of the above scales, many exercises must be done to be familiar with the
piano practice. It is to be made by composing different accompanied melodies
and other existing songs that are commonly used in daily life. It is better to startby simple exercises of practice on every scale.
REFERENCE BOOKS
Burton, Anthony (2002). A Performer’s Guide to the Music of the Classical Period.
London: Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-
86096-1939.
Downs, Philip G. (1992). Classical Music: The Era of Haydn, Mozart, and
Beethoven, 4th vol of Norton Introduction to Music History. W.W. Norton &
Company. ISBN 0-393-95191-X (hardcover)
Tim Emmons, Odd Meter Bass: Playing Odd Time Signatures Made Easy(Van
Nuys: Alfred Publishing, 2008): 4. ISBN 978-0-7390-4081-2.
Stephen E. Hefling. “Dotted rhythms”. In Deane L. Root (ed.). Grove Music
Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press
Taylor, Eric (2011). The AB Guide to Music Theory Part I. ABRSM.p. 18. ISBN 978-1-85472-446-5