Introduction to Piano Foundations
Study the fundamentals, test key pitches on the soundboard, and complete the 10-question evaluation matrix.
1. Foundational History & Acoustics Theory
The piano is a magnificent stringed keyboard instrument invented in Italy around the year 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Before the piano existed, musicians played the harpsichord, which could only pluck strings at one volume level. Cristofori revolutionized music by inventing a mechanical hammer system that allowed strings to be struck softly or strongly depending on the force applied by the player's fingers. This is why the instrument was originally named the "Piano-forte", which means "soft-loud" in Italian.
The Musical Alphabet & Keyboard Topology
Standard musical notation utilizes seven primary alphabet letters to identify musical pitches: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Once you reach G, the sequence resets back to A at a higher register.
On a standard piano keyboard, you will see a recurring pattern of black and white keys. The white keys represent the natural notes, while the black keys represent accidentals (sharps and flats). To easily find notes on the piano, look at the black keys—they are always clustered in groups of twos and threes. A vital reference point for any beginner is Middle C (C), which is located directly to the left of the two-black-key cluster in the center of the piano axis.
Tap the actions buttons below to flip through the pages of our 3D virtual handbook.
2. Virtual Piano Practice Dock
Tap or click the keyboard below to practice striking natural notes from Middle C to B.