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Learn · Piano

Learn piano

Ten short lessons for complete beginners, from finding C to playing with both hands. Every lesson has exercises you play on the keys: a MIDI keyboard, your computer keys, or the keyboard on your screen.

  1. Finding your way on the keys

    White keys, black keys in twos and threes, and the seven letter names.

    3 exercises

  2. Middle C and octaves

    Where middle C is, why notes have numbers, and the same note higher and lower.

    3 exercises

  3. Finger numbers and your first tune

    Fingers 1 to 5, the C position for each hand, and Mary Had a Little Lamb.

    4 exercises

  4. Black keys, sharps and flats

    Half steps, whole steps, and why every black key has two names.

    2 exercises

  5. Reading notes: the treble clef

    The staff, lines and spaces, and the notes the right hand reads.

    3 exercises

  6. Reading notes: the bass clef

    The left hand's clef, its lines and spaces, and the grand staff.

    3 exercises

  7. Note lengths and counting

    Beats, quarter, half and whole notes, eighths, rests and time signatures.

    3 exercises

  8. Major scales

    Whole and half steps, the C, G, F and D major scales, and the thumb under.

    4 exercises

  9. Chords

    Three-note chords, major and minor, and the three chords that fit most songs.

    3 exercises

  10. Both hands together

    Hands separately, then together, slowly: Twinkle Twinkle and Ode to Joy.

    5 exercises
More info

How it works

Read the short lesson, then play the exercises under it. The page listens for the right keys and moves on when you play them; after a couple of wrong tries, the key lights up. Songs use the falling notes from Pond Piano: in Learn mode the song waits for you, and the rhythm exercises keep time and give stars. Each lesson ends with a few questions. Finish every lesson and the final exam opens, with a certificate when you pass.

What do I play on?

  • A MIDI keyboard: plug it into your computer, tablet or phone and press Connect a MIDI keyboard. This works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera; Safari doesn’t support MIDI keyboards yet.
  • The computer keys: A S D F G H J K are the white keys from C, W E T Y U the black keys, and Z X move down or up an octave. The letters are shown on the keys.
  • A touchscreen: tap the keys on the screen, with several fingers for a chord. Turn a phone sideways for wider keys.

Questions

Do I need a piano? No, but a real keyboard helps your fingers learn. Any MIDI keyboard works, even a small one.

I can’t hear anything. Check the Sound switch in the site’s menu and your device’s volume. If your MIDI keyboard makes its own sound you’ll hear both.

Where is my progress saved? In this browser, like the rest of the site. Nothing to sign up for.