A singer's guide to beginner piano skills

Lesson 2

Treble Clef, Tones and Semitones, Sharps and Flats

Treble Clef

Now we are more familiar with recognising the notes on our keyboard, how can we start identifying it? Music is written using a variety of symbols on lines known as clefs. As singers we predominantly use 'Treble Clef' which I speak about in the video below. Treble clef is the mid-upper range of a keyboard where most vocalist's music will be written therefore this is where our focus will be.

Tones and Semitones

Tones and semitones are the steps or half steps between each note on the piano. This is where we start to explore the black notes on the keyboard. The difference between a tone and semitone is particularly important when we begin to learn chords in Lesson 5.

Sharps and Flats

Sharps and Flats refer to the names we give the black notes on the keyboard. Sharp meaning a semitone higher and flat meaning a semitone lower. Note that I talk about 'enharmonic notes' (notes that have the same name). For eg. A sharp and B flat.

Lesson 4

Major Chords

We now move into the fun section of learning chords! Chords are an extremely useful trick in accompanying singers - once you have learnt the formula to construct a chord you will very quickly be able to play basic accompaniment for most songs. Chords are readily available online (in Lesson 7 I mention the website ultimateguitar.com where I often find chords to most songs). Constructing our chords relies on secure understanding of semitones so be sure to head back to Lesson 2 if you need a recap.

Major Chord Formula

Tonic + 4 semitones + 7 semitones

Lesson 5

Minor Chords

Minor chords are very similar to our major chords with a slight difference in our formula. Notice the middle note is now only 3 semitones above the tonic.

Minor Chord Formula:

Tonic + 3 semitones + 7 semitones

When we read music minor chords are represented by a lower case 'm'. For example Cm = C minor chord.

Lesson 6

Pop Song

Pop music is highly chord based so let's apply everything we have learnt in a standard four chord song 'Without You' by U2.

As a reminder, we assume it is a Major chord unless there is a lower-case 'm' next to the chord. For example (A = A Major and Am = A minor)

Arpeggios

As your confidence in chords grows, begin experimenting with your playing by 'breaking up the chord' or using 'arpeggios' to create a richer accompaniment.

Bass Note

Experiment by playing the tonic note with your left hand in the lower half of the piano to create more depth in your accompaniment.

Lesson 7

Building on Chords

Now we have an understanding of both major and minor chords I want to address how to manage chords starting on a sharp or flat note (eg. C# or Bbm). Whilst these chords can look intimidating they follow the same formula as the chords in Lesson's 4 and 5.

Major Chord

Tonic + 4 semitones + 7 semitones

Minor Chord

Tonic + 3 semitones + 7 semitones

Lesson 8

Music Theatre Song

Congratulations on making it to the final lesson where we jump into the deep end and play a music theatre song!

You will notice a number of differences on this sheet music compared to our Lesson 6 pop song. This music is written as notation (symbols on treble and bass clef) with chords written above in bold letters. Focus on playing the chords above the singers line (top treble clef with the lyrics). I also speak about the repeat symbols found in the score so be sure to listen out for them.