Learn Keyboard Keys Fast - Without Reading Music

Anyone can learn keyboard keys fast, without reading music, by knowing a few simple musical structures and practicing just a few minutes each day (NOT hours and hours, unless you want to!).

The word "key" can refer to the physical key on the piano or keyboard, or the key of the song you're playing, but we will address the physical keys in this article.

There's no secret shortcut to learning the keys and note names quickly, but you can speed up the process by keeping in mind just a few simple ideas.

First, the entire piano keyboard is simply a pattern of 12 distinct notes, repeated over and over up and down the keyboard: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, and B. C#, D#, F#, G# and A# are the same as Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, and Bb, respectively.

Second, as you probably noticed or already knew, the notes are lined up in a repeating pattern using part of the alphabet from A to G: A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Most books and piano teachers start off on the white keys, in the key of C major, and the C major scale is C D E F G A B, which seems a bit confusing for some new students. After all, why not put A where C is and start the alphabet at the beginning? The answer is... that's the way it's always been and it's not going to change now!

Third, a note can be made sharp simply by moving it one half step up the keyboard (to the right), to the very next key on the keyboard or piano. That could be a white key or a black key, as long as it's the very next key.

Finally, a note is made flat by moving it one half step down the keyboard (to the left), again to the very next key on the keyboard or piano.

Learning the keyboard or piano keys is now a matter of simple repetition and testing. Call out any letter of the alphabet from A to G, possibly saying "sharp" or "flat" after it, and see how quickly you can get to that note on the piano or keyboard - anywhere on the keyboard is fine, since the key patterns repeat. You can also have a friend help you with this.

Some people also like to make flash cards with a single note name on each card - for example, C#, F, Bb, etc.

Don't try to learn them all at once, in one sitting, or you may get frustrated. In fact, if you reach the point in any practice session where you're getting angry or upset, that means it's time for a break.

The magical part about practicing is that little breaks help you - in fact, they're required if you really want to retain the information. So, practice your keyboard or piano keys (notes) a few minutes today, then maybe later in the day or tomorrow, and in just a few days, you'll be able to play them with lightning speed.