How To Read Music On Piano

Posted on September 27, 2007 by WaltRibeiro


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  • Phil

    Walt -this is seriously awesome! It helped me so much. Can’t wait to see what us you got – you have me going ot this every site very few days. Thanks again !

    -phil

  • Phil

    Walt -this is seriously awesome! It helped me so much. Can’t wait to see what us you got – you have me going ot this every site very few days. Thanks again !

    -phil

  • Simone

    Excellent~
    I’ve been asking this question for 5 years, and you answered in in one click
    thank you!!

  • Simone

    Excellent~
    I’ve been asking this question for 5 years, and you answered in in one click
    thank you!!

  • http://www.waltribeiro.net Walt

    Glad I can help Simone!

  • http://www.waltribeiro.net Walt

    Glad I can help Simone!

  • lucas

    Walt i need HELP!

    i don’t get it can you help me!!!!!!!!!!!

    how do you read the music?!
    i really don’t get it so respond back as soon as you can bye!
    the video was good to!

  • lucas

    Walt i need HELP!

    i don’t get it can you help me!!!!!!!!!!!

    how do you read the music?!
    i really don’t get it so respond back as soon as you can bye!
    the video was good to!

  • http://www.waltribeiro.net Walt Ribeiro
  • http://www.waltribeiro.net Walt Ribeiro
  • Sylvania

    Oh thank you so much! I haven’t played piano since the 8th grade and forgot how to read the notes! Thank you so much!

  • Sylvania

    Oh thank you so much! I haven’t played piano since the 8th grade and forgot how to read the notes! Thank you so much!

  • Sylvania

    p.s. Would you know how to turn a guitar tab into piano sheet music? I really haven’t played any instruments since I was fourteen. I’m twenty-one now.:(

  • Sylvania

    p.s. Would you know how to turn a guitar tab into piano sheet music? I really haven’t played any instruments since I was fourteen. I’m twenty-one now.:(

  • Brian Ingelbrecht

    I understand this Well. However THE notes i read are never THE same as in tutorials.
    How read THE sharps? Dont know What im doing wrong.

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Hi Brian! not sure what you mean. Use the search bar above for any terms you’re stuck with.

      • Brian Ingelbrecht

        Hi walt, going to try to explain it.

        Next to your clef, you have the beat ( 4/4) and sometimes there are # or b next to the clef.

        The I never know what notes to play on piano.

        Its like the notes are all shifted higher or smth.

        hope you understand it better ?

  • Brian Ingelbrecht

    I understand this Well. However THE notes i read are never THE same as in tutorials.
    How read THE sharps? Dont know What im doing wrong.

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Hi Brian! not sure what you mean. Use the search bar above for any terms you’re stuck with.

      • Brian Ingelbrecht

        Hi walt, going to try to explain it.

        Next to your clef, you have the beat ( 4/4) and sometimes there are # or b next to the clef.

        The I never know what notes to play on piano.

        Its like the notes are all shifted higher or smth.

        hope you understand it better ?

        • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro
          • Brian Ingelbrecht

            that i already knew, but i bought a book to help me along internet tutorials and now i understand it … The technical and correct term of what I was looking for is “Key signatures with sharps/flats”

            thnx for your help anyways and keep up the good work m8

  • BeginnerPiano

    Where are the Diagrams..? And aren’t the black notes also flats? Thank you, this makes so much sense!! The picture seems helpful. Is it here on your website still?

  • BeginnerPiano

    Where are the Diagrams..? And aren’t the black notes also flats? Thank you, this makes so much sense!! The picture seems helpful. Is it here on your website still?

  • Carlos

    i used to play alto saxophone about a year ago, are the notes for piano and sax/other instruments the same?

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      yep!

  • Carlos

    i used to play alto saxophone about a year ago, are the notes for piano and sax/other instruments the same?

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      yep!

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      yep!

  • Nancy_vang87

    hey there walt.. i’ve never took any lessons or play piano at all but i would like to start today by learning on my own. would this be a good place to start? ;)

  • Nancy_vang87

    hey there walt.. i’ve never took any lessons or play piano at all but i would like to start today by learning on my own. would this be a good place to start? ;)

  • Nancy_vang87

    hey there walt.. i’ve never took any lessons or play piano at all but i would like to start today by learning on my own. would this be a good place to start? ;)

  • Nancy_vang87

    where would you recommend me start my search?

  • Nancy_vang87

    where would you recommend me start my search?

  • Nancy_vang87

    where would you recommend me start my search?

  • Nancy_vang87

    wow… i think i just found the answer to the question that i just asked.. i love your videos!! i will continue to watch and learn..

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      glad you’re OK now!

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      glad you’re OK now!

  • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

    glad you’re OK now!

  • Mail

    Hi Walt, I stared playing keyboard today and I read online how to read music heets, but there are somethings i can’t figure out.

    I’m trying to play this sheet, ill post 1/3 sheets. But I can’t figure out what the bracets at the start means and and what the Em and 8va above the lines means. And in the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? Also the A and the B in the squares. And the dotted lines in the first and third section.

    And in the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand.

    I would really appreciate it, if you would explaine this sheet in a video as an example. or if you already did explaine all of this you could send the links for the vids, because i didnt find any tuts explaining this.

    ~sincerely~

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Ok – here’s all the answers to your questions:

      I can’t figure out what the brackets at the start mean? It means the staffs are played by one person (as opposed to 2 separate musicians) – in this case a piano player.

      What’s the Em mean? That’s the chord to playWhat’s the 8va above the lines mean? Means its played an octave higher than written.

      In the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? not sure what you mean here. there’s no 15th measure.What do the A and the B in the squares mean? sections in the music (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.)

      What does the dotted lines in the first and third section mean? Refers to the 8va from my earlier answer. it shows how long it applies for.

      In the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand? Treble means to play in a higher register. So two treble clefs simply is telling the piano player to play high notes with both hands. It’s not super strange to see two bass clefs either. It’s only telling you where to play the piano, and avoids having a lot of ledger lines.

  • Mail

    Hi Walt, I stared playing keyboard today and I read online how to read music heets, but there are somethings i can’t figure out.

    I’m trying to play this sheet, ill post 1/3 sheets. But I can’t figure out what the bracets at the start means and and what the Em and 8va above the lines means. And in the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? Also the A and the B in the squares. And the dotted lines in the first and third section.

    And in the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand.

    I would really appreciate it, if you would explaine this sheet in a video as an example. or if you already did explaine all of this you could send the links for the vids, because i didnt find any tuts explaining this.

    ~sincerely~

  • Mail

    Hi Walt, I stared playing keyboard today and I read online how to read music heets, but there are somethings i can’t figure out.

    I’m trying to play this sheet, ill post 1/3 sheets. But I can’t figure out what the bracets at the start means and and what the Em and 8va above the lines means. And in the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? Also the A and the B in the squares. And the dotted lines in the first and third section.

    And in the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand.

    I would really appreciate it, if you would explaine this sheet in a video as an example. or if you already did explaine all of this you could send the links for the vids, because i didnt find any tuts explaining this.

    ~sincerely~

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Ok – here’s all the answers to your questions:

      I can’t figure out what the brackets at the start mean? It means the staffs are played by one person (as opposed to 2 separate musicians) – in this case a piano player.

      What’s the Em mean? That’s the chord to playWhat’s the 8va above the lines mean? Means its played an octave higher than written.

      In the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? not sure what you mean here. there’s no 15th measure.What do the A and the B in the squares mean? sections in the music (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.)

      What does the dotted lines in the first and third section mean? Refers to the 8va from my earlier answer. it shows how long it applies for.

      In the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand? Treble means to play in a higher register. So two treble clefs simply is telling the piano player to play high notes with both hands. It’s not super strange to see two bass clefs either. It’s only telling you where to play the piano, and avoids having a lot of ledger lines.

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Ok – here’s all the answers to your questions:

      I can’t figure out what the brackets at the start mean? It means the staffs are played by one person (as opposed to 2 separate musicians) – in this case a piano player.

      What’s the Em mean? That’s the chord to playWhat’s the 8va above the lines mean? Means its played an octave higher than written.

      In the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? not sure what you mean here. there’s no 15th measure.What do the A and the B in the squares mean? sections in the music (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.)

      What does the dotted lines in the first and third section mean? Refers to the 8va from my earlier answer. it shows how long it applies for.

      In the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand? Treble means to play in a higher register. So two treble clefs simply is telling the piano player to play high notes with both hands. It’s not super strange to see two bass clefs either. It’s only telling you where to play the piano, and avoids having a lot of ledger lines.

  • Mail

    Hi Walt, I stared playing keyboard today and I read online how to read music heets, but there are somethings i can’t figure out.

    I’m trying to play this sheet, ill post 1/3 sheets. But I can’t figure out what the bracets at the start means and and what the Em and 8va above the lines means. And in the 11th and 15th measure, D and C are connected with a line, what does that mean? Also the A and the B in the squares. And the dotted lines in the first and third section.

    And in the first lines there are two treble clefs. How do I play that? Shouldn’t there be a treble clef above an a bass clef below, a if notes for the right and left hand.

    I would really appreciate it, if you would explaine this sheet in a video as an example. or if you already did explaine all of this you could send the links for the vids, because i didnt find any tuts explaining this.

    ~sincerely~

  • Gfsmx2

    Walt, I have played by ear all my life and learned a little about reading notes. If I understand correctly, I saw one of your videos saying that it is best to memorize the notes on a cleff by saying Every Good Boy Does Fine, and F-A-C-E.     My question to you is this: does this thoery change if the song is written in 4 flats, or 4 sharp, and so on?

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      without making it too confusing, let me explain: no, the notes on the lines (every good boy does fine, and FACE) never, ever change in treble clef. Now, is the song has 4 sharps in it, all it’s saying is that every FCGD is sharpened throughout the song (so the scale would now read as EF#G#ABC#D#E instead of EFGABCDE). So use the EGBDF and FACE to find out which black dot/note is telling you to play, and use the key signature to find if it’s sharpened, flattened, or natural. Got it?

  • crazyrose

    what can i do to connect the sheet music with the keyboard at a faster pace?  I tend to read one note at a time and it takes forever.  Are there excercises i can do to get the notes to clik in my head ?

    • http://fororchestra.com/ Walt Ribeiro

      i know this answer is going to not be what you want to hear, but the only way is to play SUPER slow, then to just get it perfectly at that slow tempo. Slowly work your way up.