Categories: Piano Help

Piano Level 1 Help

Beginner Piano Level 1

In Level 1 both hands play the melody (tune) where required. Your thumbs always share middle C. You will be reading the musical notes for both the right hand and left hand simultaneously. The right hand reads from the top stave using the treble clef. The left hand reads from the bottom stave using the bass clef. The pieces of piano sheet music in Level 1 have either 4 beats in a bar or 3 beats in a bar.

Piano Level 1 Help – symbols and explanations

Icon	Description
	Treble Clef or G clef The treble clef is used for the high notes in music. It fixes the note G.
	Bass Clef or F Clef The bass clef is used for the low notes in music. It fixes the note F.
	Bracket The bracket on the left hand side means read both lines of music simultaneously (at the same time).
	4/4 Time signature The top number tells you there are 4 beats in every bar. The bottom number is the value of the beat. The 4 on the bottom means quarter notes or crotchets. So 4/4 means 4 crotchet beats in every bar.
	3/4 Time signature The top number tells you there are 3 beats in every bar. The bottom number is the value of the beat. The 4 on the bottom means quarter notes or crotchets. So 3/4 means 3 crotchet beats in every bar.
	Stave or staff The stave is the 5 horizontal lines onto which musical notes are written. This system was invented nearly 1000 years ago and can be used to capture all styles of music.
	Semibreve or whole note The semibreve is the longest rhythm we use in modern music. It is worth 4 beats. When you see a semibreve say “Hold 2 3 4”.
	Minim or half note The minim is a rhythm symbol worth 2 beats. It is also displayed the other way up. When you see a minim say “Hold 2″…or even better, say “Don’t rush!”
	Dotted minim or dotted half note A dot written after a note adds on half of its value. The dotted minim is worth 2 + 1 = 3 beats. It is also displayed the other way up. When you see a dotted minim say “Hold 2 3”
	Crotchet or quarter note The crotchet is a rhythm symbol worth 1 beat. It is also displayed the other way up. It is like the tick of the metronome, or a walking footstep. When you see a crotchet say “Tea”.