Complete Piano Learning Guide

Master the piano from absolute beginner to advanced level. Learn chords, scales, theory, and techniques with our comprehensive interactive guide.

🎹 Interactive Piano 🎵 Chord Library 📚 Music Theory 🎯 Practice Exercises
Master Piano Fundamentals

Interactive Piano Keyboard

C
D
E
F
G
A
B

Click on the keys to hear the notes and see their frequencies

Click a key to start
Hand Position
Beginner

Learn proper hand posture, finger placement, and sitting position for optimal playing.

  • Curved fingers like holding a ball
  • Relaxed wrists at key level
  • Proper bench height
  • Feet flat on floor
Note Reading
Beginner

Master the staff, clefs, and note recognition for both hands.

  • Treble clef (right hand)
  • Bass clef (left hand)
  • Ledger lines
  • Sharps and flats
Rhythm & Timing
Beginner

Understand time signatures, note values, and develop steady rhythm.

  • 4/4 time signature
  • Whole, half, quarter notes
  • Metronome practice
  • Counting beats
Master Piano Chords and Harmony

Major Chords - Foundation of Piano Playing

Major chords form the foundation of piano harmony. Learn these essential chords first.

C Major
C - E - G
C
E
G
Right Hand: C-E-G (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: C-E-G (pinky, middle, thumb)
F Major
F - A - C
F
A
C
Right Hand: F-A-C (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: F-A-C (pinky, middle, thumb)
G Major
G - B - D
G
B
D
Right Hand: G-B-D (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: G-B-D (pinky, middle, thumb)

Minor Chords - Add Emotional Depth

Minor chords have a sadder, more melancholic sound that adds emotional complexity to your playing.

A Minor
A - C - E
A
C
E
Right Hand: A-C-E (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: A-C-E (pinky, middle, thumb)
D Minor
D - F - A
D
F
A
Right Hand: D-F-A (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: D-F-A (pinky, middle, thumb)
E Minor
E - G - B
E
G
B
Right Hand: E-G-B (thumb, middle, pinky)
Left Hand: E-G-B (pinky, middle, thumb)

Popular Piano Chord Progressions

I-V-vi-IV (Pop Progression)

C - G - Am - F

ii-V-I (Jazz Standard)

Dm - G - C

vi-IV-I-V (Classic)

Am - F - C - G

Master Scales and Music Theory

Essential Piano Scales

Scales are the building blocks of music. Master these fundamental scales to understand melody and harmony.

C Major Scale

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
A Minor Scale

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A

Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
G Major Scale

G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
D Major Scale

D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D

Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
E Minor Scale

E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E

Pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
F Major Scale

F - G - A - Bâ™­ - C - D - E - F

Pattern: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Fingering (RH): 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4
Fingering (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1

Essential Music Theory

Circle of Fifths
C
G - D - A - E - B
F# - C# - F - Bâ™­ - Eâ™­ - Aâ™­ - Dâ™­
  • Key signatures
  • Chord relationships
  • Modulation
Intervals
Perfect Unison 0 semitones
Major 2nd 2 semitones
Major 3rd 4 semitones
Perfect 4th 5 semitones
Perfect 5th 7 semitones
Major 6th 9 semitones
Major 7th 11 semitones
Perfect Octave 12 semitones
Chord Construction
Major Triad
Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th
Minor Triad
Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th
Diminished
Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th
Augmented
Root + Major 3rd + Augmented 5th
Dominant 7th
Major Triad + Minor 7th
Major 7th
Major Triad + Major 7th
Practice Exercises and Advanced Techniques

Practice Exercises

Finger Exercises
Hanon Exercise #1

Five-finger patterns for independence

Scales Practice

Major and minor scales in all keys

Chord Progressions
I-vi-IV-V Progression

Practice in all major keys

Arpeggios

Broken chord patterns

Pedaling
Intermediate

Master the sustain pedal for smooth legato playing and expressive phrasing.

  • Legato pedaling
  • Half-pedaling
  • Pedal markings
  • Coloristic effects
Voicing
Advanced

Learn to bring out melody lines and create dynamic balance between hands.

  • Melody emphasis
  • Dynamic balance
  • Inner voices
  • Accompaniment control
Ornamentation
Advanced

Add grace notes, trills, and other ornaments to enhance musical expression.

  • Grace notes
  • Trills
  • Mordents
  • Turns
Jazz Techniques
Advanced

Explore jazz harmony, improvisation, and stylistic elements.

  • Chord substitutions
  • Swing rhythm
  • Improvisation
  • Comping patterns

Practice with Real Songs

Ready to apply what you've learned? Use Strumly's chord analysis to practice with your favorite songs.

Browse Songs Analyze YouTube Video

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