← Piano · Start here · about 15 min

Meet the keyboard

Find any note with one simple pattern.

How a piano makes sound

When you press a key, a small hammer hits a string inside the piano. Each key plays one note.

Keys on the left play lower notes. Keys on the right play higher notes. An electronic keyboard imitates this with speakers.

Keys: White and black keys. Each key is one note. Left is lower, right is higher.
Hammers & strings: Inside, pressing a key moves a small hammer that hits a string.
Pedals: The right pedal lets notes ring. The left pedal makes the sound softer.
Bench: Sit tall, near the front of the bench, with your feet flat.
Music stand: Holds your sheet music at eye level.

The black keys come in groups of two and three. That's your map.

C is the white key just to the left of the group of two black keys. D sits between the two black keys. E is just to the right of them.

The seven white-key names repeat: A B C D E F G, then A B C D E F G again. Only seven letters.

The “Play the keys” tool lets you tap each key to hear it.

Tap or press computer keys to play. Names show on the keys.

A full piano has 88 keys.
The piano was invented around 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy.
“Piano” is short for “pianoforte,” which means soft-loud, because it can play both.
The black keys come in groups of two and three. That pattern helps you find any note.
Middle C is the C closest to the middle of the keyboard.