,Piano & Keyboard All-in-One
For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go
to www.dummies.com and search for “Piano
& Keyboard All-in-One For Dummies Cheat
Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1: Piano & Keyboard 101
Chapter 1: Warming Up to the Piano and Keyboard
What’s So Special About the Piano?
Why People Learn to Play the Piano (and Why They Often Quit)
Getting to Know the Piano as an Instrument
Understanding the Language of Music
The Best Way to Play
What You Already Know About Playing the Piano
Electronic Keyboards and other Keyboard Instruments
Making the Most of Your Keyboard’s Basic Features
, Delving into More Advanced Digital Features
Practicing with and without Help
Chapter 2:
Acoustic Pianos
Electro-Mechanical Keyboards
Electronic Keyboards
Appreciating How Digital Keyboards Make So Many Sounds
Considering Key Feel and Response
Paying Attention to Polyphony
Chapter 3: Choosing and Buying Your Keyboard
First Things First: Acoustic or Electric (or Both)?
Looking At What’s Important for the Beginner
Playing Well With Others and Alone
Picking the Perfect Acoustic Piano
Selecting a Digital Keyboard That Lasts
Before You Drive It Off the Lot: Sealing the Deal
The MIDI Places You Can Go
Chapter 4: The Setup and Care of Your Instrument
Unboxing Your New Keyboard
Providing a Good Place to Put It
Making It Shine
Calling In a Pro for Tuning, Check-Ups, and Serious Repairs
Setting Up Your Keyboard
Hook Me Up: Keyboard Connections
Protecting Your Investment: Care and Upkeep
Solving Minor Technical Problems
Chapter 5: Getting Comfy at the Keyboard
Blake’s E-Z Key Finder
What Your Parents Never Told You About Posture
It’s All in the Hands
Pedal Power: Getting Your Feet in on the Action
Book 2: Understanding Theory and the Language of Music
, Chapter 1: Looking at Notes and Beats
Meeting the Beat
Recognizing Notes and Note Values
Extending Notes with Dots and Ties
Mixing All the Note Values Together
Chapter 2: Stopping for a Rest
Getting to Know the Rests
Practicing Beats with Notes and Rests
Chapter 3: Tempo, Measures, and Time Signatures
Playing Fast and Slow: Tempo
Grouping Beats into Measures
Counting Out Common Time Signatures
Chapter 4: Navigating Sheet Music
Meeting the Staff, Clefs, and Notes
Identifying Half Steps, Whole Steps, and Accidentals on the Staff
Musical Punctuation: Bar Lines
Chapter 5: Varying Beats and Rhythms
Getting a Jump on the Start: Pickup Beats and Measures
Adding Time to Your Notes with Ties and Dots
Playing Offbeat Rhythms
Playing Songs with Challenging Rhythms
Book 3: Beginning to Play
Chapter 1: Playing a Melody
Let Your Fingers Do the Walking
Positions, Everyone!
Cross Your Fingers and Hope It Works
Playing Melodies in the Right Hand
Chapter 2: Working with Scales
Building a Scale, Step-by-Step
Introducing Major Scales
Introducing Minor Scales
For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go
to www.dummies.com and search for “Piano
& Keyboard All-in-One For Dummies Cheat
Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1: Piano & Keyboard 101
Chapter 1: Warming Up to the Piano and Keyboard
What’s So Special About the Piano?
Why People Learn to Play the Piano (and Why They Often Quit)
Getting to Know the Piano as an Instrument
Understanding the Language of Music
The Best Way to Play
What You Already Know About Playing the Piano
Electronic Keyboards and other Keyboard Instruments
Making the Most of Your Keyboard’s Basic Features
, Delving into More Advanced Digital Features
Practicing with and without Help
Chapter 2:
Acoustic Pianos
Electro-Mechanical Keyboards
Electronic Keyboards
Appreciating How Digital Keyboards Make So Many Sounds
Considering Key Feel and Response
Paying Attention to Polyphony
Chapter 3: Choosing and Buying Your Keyboard
First Things First: Acoustic or Electric (or Both)?
Looking At What’s Important for the Beginner
Playing Well With Others and Alone
Picking the Perfect Acoustic Piano
Selecting a Digital Keyboard That Lasts
Before You Drive It Off the Lot: Sealing the Deal
The MIDI Places You Can Go
Chapter 4: The Setup and Care of Your Instrument
Unboxing Your New Keyboard
Providing a Good Place to Put It
Making It Shine
Calling In a Pro for Tuning, Check-Ups, and Serious Repairs
Setting Up Your Keyboard
Hook Me Up: Keyboard Connections
Protecting Your Investment: Care and Upkeep
Solving Minor Technical Problems
Chapter 5: Getting Comfy at the Keyboard
Blake’s E-Z Key Finder
What Your Parents Never Told You About Posture
It’s All in the Hands
Pedal Power: Getting Your Feet in on the Action
Book 2: Understanding Theory and the Language of Music
, Chapter 1: Looking at Notes and Beats
Meeting the Beat
Recognizing Notes and Note Values
Extending Notes with Dots and Ties
Mixing All the Note Values Together
Chapter 2: Stopping for a Rest
Getting to Know the Rests
Practicing Beats with Notes and Rests
Chapter 3: Tempo, Measures, and Time Signatures
Playing Fast and Slow: Tempo
Grouping Beats into Measures
Counting Out Common Time Signatures
Chapter 4: Navigating Sheet Music
Meeting the Staff, Clefs, and Notes
Identifying Half Steps, Whole Steps, and Accidentals on the Staff
Musical Punctuation: Bar Lines
Chapter 5: Varying Beats and Rhythms
Getting a Jump on the Start: Pickup Beats and Measures
Adding Time to Your Notes with Ties and Dots
Playing Offbeat Rhythms
Playing Songs with Challenging Rhythms
Book 3: Beginning to Play
Chapter 1: Playing a Melody
Let Your Fingers Do the Walking
Positions, Everyone!
Cross Your Fingers and Hope It Works
Playing Melodies in the Right Hand
Chapter 2: Working with Scales
Building a Scale, Step-by-Step
Introducing Major Scales
Introducing Minor Scales
