Piano Level 1 Help

Dotted crotchet or dotted quarter note

A dot written after a note adds on half of its value. The dotted crotchet is worth 1 + ½  = 1½ beats. It is also displayed the other way up.  A dotted crotchet teams up with a single quaver and forms the first part of a tango rhythm! 

Quaver or eighth note

The quaver is a rhythm symbol worth ½ beat. It is also displayed the other way up. It is a quick running note. It forms the second part of a tango rhythm! 

2 quavers or 2 eighth notes

2 quavers can be joined together with a beam. They are also displayed the other way up. Quavers are quick running notes worth ½ a beat each. When you see 2 quavers say “Cof-fee”

4 quavers or 4 eighth notes

4 quavers can be joined together with a beam. They are also displayed the other way up. Quavers are quick running notes worth ½ a beat each. When you see 4 quavers say “Cof-fee cof-fee”

Backwards repeat

If this appears on its own, repeat all of the music from the beginning.

Forwards and backwards repeat marks

If both of these are written in the piece, repeat all of the music between these two repeat marks.

Final Bar Line

This symbol means that you have reached the end of the piece. It is the equivalent of a musical full stop, or writing “The end” in a story!

Sharp

This is a sharp. It is written in front of a musical note. If it is written in front of the note F, it is called “F sharp”. To play F sharp play the next black key to the right. The sound of F sharp is one note higher than the sound of F. Technically to sharp a note, you raise it by one semitone or one step.

Flat

This is a flat. It is written in front of a musical note. If it is written in front of the note B it is called “B flat”. To play B flat play the next black key to the left. The sound of B flat is one note lower than the sound of B. Technically to flat a note, you lower it by one semitone or one step.

Metronome