There are a few foundational concepts that any parent, regardless of background, can quickly teach to their children. Children can soon be taught to understand rhythm, read music, and find notes on the piano.
Rhythm
The basic unit of rhythm is a measure. The simplest rhythm is 4/4 time. This means that there are four quarter notes in each measure. A half-note is the equivalent of two quarter notes. A dotted-quarter note is equivalent to three quarter notes. A whole note is equivalent to four quarter notes.
The Keyboard
The piano consists of alternating white and black keys. The white keys are grouped into sets of eight keys called octaves. The black keys are grouped into sets of two’s and three’s. Beginning at C (the white key directly to the left of each set of two black keys), the white notes are named as follows: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
Sharps and Flats
A black note an be referred to as the sharp (#) of the note on its left. A black note can also be referred to as the flat (b) of the note on its right. The set of two black keys may be called C# and D# or Db and Eb. The set of three black keys are F#, G#, and A# or Gb, Ab, and Bb.
Reading Music
Reading music is actually simpler than it appears at first glance. The seemingly random combination of lines and spaces is quite orderly and quickly mastered. The grand staff consists of two clefs, the treble and the bass. Each clef is represented by a set of five lines and four spaces.
The Treble Clef
C is represented by an extra line below the treble clef. The first line is E. The second line is G. The third line is B; the fourth, D; and the fifth, F. These can be remembered easily with the acronym Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. The spaces, beginning at the bottommost are F, A, C, and E, represented by the acronym FACE.
The Bass Clef
Once again, one can begin at C, represented by a line above the top line in the clef. The top line is A and the second line down is F. The center line is D, the second line from the bottom is B, and the bottommost line is G. The acronym Great Big Ducks Fly Away can help children remember which note is represented by which line. The spaces, beginning at the bottom, are A, C, E, and G.
The basics of rhythm, the keyboard, and the musical score are quickly learned, easily remembered, and foundational for an understanding of the piano. Even parents who have no musical training can guide their children through the fundamentals of one of the world’s greatest instrument. At almost no expense and in a short period of time, your child will grasp the foundational concepts of the piano.
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