LESSON 1 - PIANO OCTAVE

Learning is the basic part to become proficient in any skill. In piano, learning that instrument is merely an enjoyment while comparing others. As the alphabets are the key to ignite learning a language, as well learning octave is the basement of learning piano.

If you are a beginner, you will be dealt with memorizing new terminologies which are to be remembered to move further in the learning process. 

Octave:

In music, an octave or perfect octave (diapason) is the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. The octave relationship is a natural phenomenon that has been referred to as the "basic miracle of music", the use of which is "common in most musical systems". The interval between the first and second harmonics of the harmonic series is an octave.

A harmonic series is the  sequence of frequencies, musical tones or pure tones, in which each frequency is the integer multiple of a fundamental.

        (Latin: Octavus : Eighth)

                     An octave in a piano consists of 12 keys. 7 white keys and 5 black keys.

• White keys ⇢ Natural or Regular keys(notes)
• Black keys ➝ Sharps (or) Flats based on the representation

                Sharps are represented using "#"

                Flats are represented using "b"         

While moving a half note higher(Right)  =  Sharp (#)

While moving a half note down(Left)     =  Flat(b)

Octave

Learning Piano Octave :

Therefore C,D,E,F,G,A,B, and C are the natural notes in an octave. In standard pianos there will be 7 octaves that consist 88 keys (52 white keys and 36 black keys) in total. The 4th octave will be the middle octave and it holds the middle "C" of any piano.  

The notations DO,RE,MI,FA,SOL,LA and SI are known as solfeggio. They are actually a music education system that is used to teach sight reading of western music, aural skills and pitch. If you are reading any sheet music notations to play piano, you need to learn sheet music notations.

The above shown pattern of keys will be repeated throughout the piano. So it will be easier to learn those 12 keys fluently of learning all 88 keys instead.

Though there are various types of pianos are available, the number of ovtaces depends on its type. Some of the higher end pianos are made with 7&1/4 octaves that holds 96 keys in it, which provides an enlarged playing experience. 

Majority of pianos have 88 keys, which starts from 'A' as shown in the following image.

The key "C" can be easily noted by identifying the white key which is situated just before set of two black keys that are placed successively.

           Here comes the end of the post!! Keep learning piano by utilising our forth coming  posts.