Keyboard for Beginners

Identifying the note letters of the keys (including flats and sharps) of any sized keyboard

So you’ve purchased a keyboard for beginners or are planning to start learning keyboard, but can’t figure out which keys represent which notes? It’s easy to locate the musical notes on any keyboard, be it 88-keys, 76-keys, 61-keys, 44-keys or less (or more). Here’s some basic theory you’ll need to know (don’t run away; it’s not difficult!).

There are only a total of 12 different notes, represented by the symbols:

1. A
2. A♯ or B♭
3. B
4. C
5. C♯ or D♭
6. D
7. D♯ or E♭
8. E
9. F
10. F♯ or G♭
11. G
12. G♯ or A♭

Those 12 notes (represented by 7 white keys and 5 black keys on your keyboard) repeat themselves throughout the piano keyboard. If you look closely at your keyboard, you’ll see a pattern of 12 repeating keys (hint: count the number of black keys in each group of black keys. notice a pattern?).

The symbol ♯ represents a “sharp” note. The sharp slightly raises the pitch of the note letter (known as its natural) associated with it. For instance, the note A♯ (pronounced as A-sharp) is higher in pitch than the note A.

The symbol ♭ represents a “flat” note. The flat slightly lowers the pitch of the note letter associated with it. For instance, the note A♭ (pronounced as A-flat) is in a lower pitch than the note A.

Each flat/sharp note is also called an “accidental” note, and is represented by a black key on the keyboard, while the white keys represent the “natural” (non-accidental) notes.

Every flat has an equivalent sharp representation, and vice versa. For instance, the note F♯ is equivalent to the note G♭ (i.e. they have the same pitch and are represented by the same black key on your keyboard).

Ok, ready to identify the note letters on your keyboard? Once you’ve understood the above, take a look at the diagram below and you should understand how to match a letter-note to its corresponding key on the keyboard, or vice versa.

Layout of keys on any-sized keyboard or piano

In case you’re still confused:

• It does NOT matter what note your keyboard starts on (some start with C, while others start with A).
• The notes are in increasing alphabetical order from left to right of your keyboard, and they repeat after every set of 12 keys (7 white and 5 black).
• The note “C” is ALWAYS the white key directly to the left of any group of TWO black keys on your keyboard.
• Similarly, the note “F” is ALWAYS the white key directly to the left of any group of THREE black keys on your keyboard.
• Similarly, the note “B” is ALWAYS the white key directly to the right of any group of THREE black keys.
• And similarly, the note “D” is ALWAYS the white key in the middle of any group of TWO black keys.
• …I think you get the idea. The only identifying feature is simply the groups of two or three black keys!
• To identify the black keys, just take the white key directly to the LEFT of it and add on a ♯ symbol, which marks the black key as a sharp. Or take the white key directly to the RIGHT of it and add a ♭ symbol, which marks the black key as a flat.

In short, to identify a key on your keyboard, just look at the alternating groups of two and three black keys and remember that “C” is always a white key to the left of a group of 2 black keys. A sharp slightly raises pitch, and is always the black key to the right of its associated natural white key, while a flat slightly lowers pitch, and is always the black key to the left of its associated natural white key. All notes can be derived from that knowledge; you’ll eventually memorise the position of the notes after much practice.

Congrats! You’ve just taken your first step in learning keyboard for beginners! Want to take the next step? I recommend taking a look at the Rocket Piano course (despite the name, it’s highly suitable for learning keyboard too!) You can purchase the course in digital downloadable format at a very affordable price. If you’re an adult (or teenager) keyboard beginner with little or absolutely no musical background, this is one of the best courses that WILL get you playing songs in a short time, and understanding and appreciating music theory. You can view my personal review of it by clicking here.