The course › Unit 2: The notes of the keyboard
Lesson 8 of 72 · The three white keys around the two black keys
Around every group of two black keys, there are three white keys: C on the left, D in the middle, snug between the two black keys, and E on the right.
C-D-E: the first three notes of the scale, and the beginning of thousands of melodies.
C, D, E: the three white keys around the group of two.
Tip: D is the only white key tucked between the two black keys of a group of two: you can’t miss it.
Play the note asked for, in any octave.
Thumb (1) on middle C, index finger (2) on D, middle finger (3) on E. One finger per key.
Left hand an octave lower: middle finger (3) on C, index finger (2) on D, thumb (1) on E.
Three or four notes among C, D and E. The first one lights up: find the rest by ear.
C, D, E in rhythm: let each note ring until the next one. Go up, then back down: C-D-E, E-D-C. Let each note ring until the next one.
Hot Cross Buns, which you played on the black keys, now on E, D, C. A classic three-note nursery tune. Measure 3 switches to eighth notes: two notes per beat.