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Basic Sight Reading





Now let's learn about basic sight reading . . .

When you look at the keyboard, you will notice that there are black keys which are grouped into 2's and 3's. On the left side of each group of 2 black keys, you will find the note C. Play all the C's on your keyboard and find the middle C at the middle of your keyboard. Then starting from the middle C, play all the white notes in succession up to the next C. This is called the C major scale. From the middle C to the higher C is called an octave (eight notes of the scale). Piano is made up of the same notes (all twelve of them chromatically) and it just keeps on repeating the same sets of notes.

Use the middle C and the G above it as anchor points to help you memorize the sequence of notes.

treble notes

Now for the bass clef, use C and F as anchor points.

bass notes



Notice that the same note (middle C) is found on the first ledger line below the G (treble) clef, which is also the first ledger line above the F (bass) clef.




notes of the scales

Here are the piano fingering for the C Major scale.

For the right hand...



For the left hand...




For both hands (one octave)...






(two octaves)...





To complement your basic sight reading see also:

music notations




teaching little fingers

Teaching Little Fingers to Play

John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano - First Grade

John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano - Second Grade

John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano - Third Grade

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Level 1