Piano keyboard basics

Black keys come in groups

The black keys are arranged in groups of two and three. These groups are your map.

• C is the white key just left of the group of two black keys.
• F is the white key just left of the group of three.
• Then the white keys run in order: C D E F G A B.

Semitones on the keyboard

A semitone is the distance between two neighbouring keys, black or white. Two semitones make a whole tone. Between E–F and B–C there is no black key, so those pairs are only a semitone apart. Everywhere else, neighbouring white keys are a whole tone apart with a black key between them.

Size

A full piano has 88 keys (52 white, 36 black). The pattern repeats every 12 semitones, which is one octave.

Pedals

• Right (sustain) pedal: lifts the dampers so notes keep ringing after you release the keys.
• Left pedal (una corda on a grand): shifts the action so the sound is softer.

Hands and clefs

The right hand usually plays the higher notes (treble clef), the left hand the lower ones (bass clef).