Keys on the piano - a beginners guide

How many keys should be on my piano?

Understanding the keys on a piano is an important part of learning how to play. It can seem daunting, but it’s worth investing the time to learn as you embark on your musical career as a piano player. Pianos come in a range of sizes with different numbers of keys, depending on your needs. Read on to understand all about keys on the piano.

What are piano keys made of?

Historically, white piano keys were made of the - now highly controversial - ivory and black piano keys were made of ebony, a dark hardwood. The piano industry abandoned the use of ivory in the 1970s and so it is unlikely your instrument has ivory keys! Today, most white keys on acoustic pianos are made with wood with a thin plastic veneer on top, which is both durable and affordable. 

How many keys does a full-sized piano have?

A piano is considered full-size when it has 88 keys. These are made up of sets of 12 keys which repeat to make up 88 keys. There are fewer black keys than white keys on a full-sized piano with 36 black keys and 52 white keys. The black keys on a piano are skinnier and shorter and are known as the flat and sharp keys. This means they play a semitone higher (or lower) than their corresponding white key.

Most modern acoustic pianos - including grand pianos - have 88 keys, which is the standard amount on a piano and therefore ideal for those wanting to play classical music or take piano exams. Pianos with additional keys (taking the total to as high as 108!) do exist, but this number of keys are not necessary for most people.

Are pianos with fewer keys for beginners?

There are many pianos you can buy with fewer than 88 keys.

Digital pianos, keyboards, and synthesisers often have a built-in amplifier so you can adjust the volume to your needs. They can also have many sound functions (instrument sounds, in-built metronomes or sequencers, to name just a few), making them ideal for beginners and pianists leaning towards electronic music. 

Digital pianos with weighted keys, which are designed to emulate a real piano, are also popular with beginners as the sound quality is more aligned to classic acoustic pianos and the keys are more similar to an authentic playing experience. They come in a variety of sizes, with piano key numbers ranging from 32 to 88. 

A keyboard with around 60 – 70 keys is a great length for beginners although 88 keys are eventually what you'll need. As your skills evolve, you can always sell and upgrade your instrument accordingly!

How to learn the piano keys

The best way to learn the piano keys is to remember the names of the notes that correspond to the white keys. 

This can be best achieved by:

• Recognising the patterns of the black keys 

• Incorporating a multi-sensory approach (such as trying to find the keys with your eyes shut)

• Learning music that adds new keys incrementally to avoid stressing the learner out

Try to avoid putting the sticky labels telling you the notes on the keys of your beginners piano, as you’ll start to rely on them and feel lost when playing a different piano. Instead, keep working at visualising and reciting the notes, before you play them.

Remembering piano keys

In each set of 12 keys, there are 7 white keys (sitting next to each other) and 5 black keys (arranged in sets of 2 and 3). Only the white keys are named using the letters of the alphabet A-G. To learn the names of the white keys, start by finding C (to the left of a set of 2 black keys). It is an easy one to start with.

To the right of that, the next white key is D and the next is E, F, G. The next two are A and B, and then you start at C again. It might appear confusing, because you start with “middle C” not A, when you’re learning, but essentially the notes are in alphabetical order:

A B C D E F G/A B C D E F G/A (etc...)

Learning the keys on a piano is not as daunting a feat as it may seem!

At PLUK, our piano teachers will work with you to understand your learning style, helping to keep you engaged to reach your musical potential. We offer lessons in person in Bristol, Brighton, and video classes online. Get in touch to find out more. You’ll be playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in no time!