Tip 2 – If you look at the layout of the piano you will notice that the black keys are grouped in 2 then 3, 2 then 3.

Find any group of 2 black keys. The white key immediately before the 2 black keys is C. C is to the left of the 2 black keys. Now find all the C’s on the piano.

Now find any group of 3 black keys. The white key immediately before the 3 black keys is F. F is to the left of the 3 black keys. “F is the First of the Three.” Now find all the F’s on the piano.

Tip 3 – This time look for 2 white keys that have no black key between them. There are 2 sets. Find C. The white key to the left of C is B. Find F. The white key to the left of F is E. So, the 2 sets of white keys that have no black key between them are B, C, E and F. To help remember them, say “Black Cats Eat Fish!”

When you learn to the play the piano, you are embarking on possibly one of the most rewarding hobbies you can ever take up. You can play the piano in virtually all genres of music.

Learning to read music opens a door into another world. In that magical kingdom you will find piano music from Beethoven to the blues, from Brahms lullabies to modern love ballads. Even when you are starting out, playing your first simple tune gives you a great feeling of achievement.

Playing the piano is an active hobby. Watching TV and listening to music are passive hobbies. Any active hobby is hugely rewarding. You learn by doing! Whatever age you are, playing the piano stimulates the brain and improves your co-ordination.

The piano will be a constant companion for you. It is there, waiting for you at the end of the day. It doesn’t need setting up, or assembling. You can just walk up to it, sit down and play.

Learning the piano provides a fantastic benefit as a stress reliever at the end of a busy day. Just by sitting and playing a few notes or chords, you will feel yourself unwinding. Doodling on the piano is a great way to experiment with sound. You never know – you could be about to unleash the hidden composer in you!

1 – The ideal age to begin is 8. Some children are ready at 7. By the age of 8, they can count, do simple sums, know their alphabet and read. They have the benefit of 3 to 4 years ahead of them before homework looms onto the horizon. How do you know if this is the right time for YOUR child? Basically, they are ready when they express a keen interest in learning.

Starting to learn at senior school is a juggling act between piano practice, homework, after school clubs and seeing their friends. Sometimes teenage children can find the commitment of practising a little too much for them. If your child is organised and disciplined, they will have no problem fitting it all in.

2 – The second ideal age is from the end of mainstream education to starting a family. Once studying is over, there is much more free time available. As an adult, you choose activities because YOU want to do them.

3 – The third ideal age is from your middle years, right through retirement. Your children are now independent and you have freedom again. Learning to play the piano is great for filling the “empty nest” syndrome. It may have been a while since you took up something new. This is a time when you can really put yourself first and do what YOU want to do.

1 – You may have had a bad experience of learning the piano as a child. Wouldn’t it great to overcome that negative association and replace it with a positive experience!

2 – Learning in later life gives you the real advantage of having uninterrupted time to yourself. The children have flown the nest and this is YOUR time now.

3 – If you are retired, learning to play the piano provides a new and exciting hobby to fill your time.

4 – Learning to read music is like learning a new language. Imagine being able to look at sheet music and being able to understand all those strange symbols!

5 – Playing the piano stimulates the brain, creates new neurological pathways and improves your co-ordination.

6 – Impress your grandchildren! Imagine the look on their faces when you play them some Boogie Woogie. You will be the coolest grandparent in town!

7 – Learn WITH your grandchildren. What better shared experience could there be than making music together.

The big advantage of learning the piano compared to other instruments is that the keys are already tuned for you. With a violin or guitar, for instance, you have to tune the strings yourself.

If you consider yourself to be tone deaf, playing by ear (without written music) may be difficult for you. Learning to read music is your best solution. Written music notation tells you exactly which note to play, which finger to use and how long the note lasts for. Music notation is basically a set of instructions – in code. As your reading skills improve you will be amazed by the sheer joy of playing music.

Ear training exercises could greatly improve your judgement of sound. Ear training teaches you how to listen in a specific way. For instance, the question might be “Which is the highest of 3 notes?” or “Which is the longest of 4 notes?”

If you have a poor sense of rhythm, practice with a metronome (a device that produces a steady ticking beat). Always practice slowly. Increase the speed when you feel confident. Count yourself in before you start and keep counting as you play your piece.

Play simple finger exercises with the metronome. You won’t have to worry about a complicated melody, just let the fingers walk up and down the keys to a steady beat. Very quickly you will gain in confidence.