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Well, since this is a beginners forum, I though I'd share a milestone in my playing. I've been playing now for the past 2 months, and I'm using the Alfred adult's book 1 to get started. I've just passed the first milestone in the book (as I see it anyway ) and have played my first black key in a song. Well, as a few of you might know, its actually 2 black keys, but I digress.

It's been two months now, and I've often wondered what all of those black keys were for anyway :p

Congratulations!

As you play more black keys, you'll probably find that it's actually easier to play!

You get a lot more physical landmarks when you play something with black keys. The notes can be closer together, and they "fit" the shape of your hand better than all white keys.

For years I would freak out when I was learning a piece with a lot of sharps or flats, until I learned to somehow remember the key signature without thinking. (I have no idea how you actually learn to do this, but it does happen.)

I think we are conditioned to think that fewer black keys are somehow easier, but that's not really right. It's easier to learn to read music without sharps and flats, but it's often easier to play music with sharps and flats.

So you're well on your way!

you'll find black keys can fit fingers well, in scale passages especially. it's much more comfortable actually to play mixed black and white keys than white keys alone. so, enjoy!

I stay away from Black keys.
All my pieces are transposed to the key of C major that way I don't need to play them.




Ok ok just kidding

Peter

Congrats! Enjoy! Black keys are the best!

Way to go, Mr. Joshua!

I think that for the most part that is true. But there is this piece I've been working on with a fortissimo Bb. When I play it loudly with the LH #3 it is easy to slip off and catch the A. It is an ugly sound. Once you have the white key down you aren't going to slip off as easily. I guess I just need some target practice.

Ever noticed that playing a song purely on the black keys sounds very oriental?

Which came first - Oriental music like we know it or the piano? and isnt it a strange coicindence that hitting the black keys on a modern instrument like the piano produces sounds from a much older musical culture? (correct me if I ma wrong)
Sandeep

Yes. The black keys form a pentatonic scale, which goes back to antiquity (or so I've read). It's used in Oriental music, and also heard in Native American music. Part of it's unique sound is due to the fact that it has no leading tone.

Uhhhmmmmm...black keys?

Black keys...such bliss! Congratulations on achieving that!

I agree with mostly everyone here that it is MUCH MUCH easier to play a piece with lots of black keys, or moderate black keys than it is to play a song in only white keys. Actually, as you get more advanced into your piano playing there will probably be NO music at all that has no accidentals such as flats or sharps. It's quite rare. But I think that the black keys give the song...character.

Congratulations, again!

I was wondering if someone could tell me where to get Chopin "Black Key" Etude? I belive its in G flat. I probably can't play it yet, but would like to look at it. Also, it you are playing a piece with alot of black keys like this etude, would you use your thumb on the black keys? I saw Horowitz play this piece and I thought I saw him using his thumb on the black keys.

Yes, you use your thumb! They might have it at Sheet Music Archive (You're allowed 2 free downloads per day).