If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by songs with many black keys, you’re not alone. Many students experience that “deer in the headlights” moment when transitioning from mostly white-key music to pieces that feature lots of black keys. But fear not! With the right approach, you can conquer these pieces with confidence and ease.
Many Black Keys … Oh My!
Over the years I’ve developed a simple but effective method to help students through this transition. Often my students are surprised at how easy music with lots of black keys becomes … even with that ‘scary’ key signature.
I’m sharing these tips that will take you from merely surviving those black-key-heavy pieces to playing them with complete confidence.
Tip 1: Understanding Keyboard Geography
Playing the piano is like learning a new language. Just as we decode symbols and their meanings in written text, we need to quickly interpret musical notes and transfer that visual information to the keyboard. One way to build confidence with many black keys is by paying close attention to keyboard geography.
Here’s a simple exercise to try:
- Take the first two measures of any piece (we’re using “Follow the Dog Biscuit Road” as an example) and play them with your right hand.
- First, play with your hand positioned closer to your body.
- Next, play with your hand closer to the fallboard (the vertical part behind the keys).
Which feels easier? Personally, I find that moving my hand closer to the fallboard helps me use the black keys as a guide. My hands naturally cradle around the groups of two black keys, allowing me to navigate them more confidently.
To see this in action, watch the video below or here.
Tip 2: Decode Key Signatures
Key signatures can feel intimidating, especially when they include multiple sharps or flats, leading to pieces with many black keys. But decoding them can make reading music much easier.
Here’s a quick trick: Start by marking accidentals (sharps or flats) in pencil. Begin with the first sharp or flat in the key signature, and every time you see a note on that line or space, mark it.
A quick reminder! For example, if F# is in the key signature, mark every F in your piece as sharp, regardless of where it appears on the keyboard. Accidentals in the key signature don’t just refer to that line, but every example of that note on the staff and keyboard.
This visual reminder of the many black keys is fantastic, but should should be only done in pencil. Once you’ve learned the piece well enough, you can erase these marks to avoid unnecessary distractions!
To see this tip in action, watch the video above or here.
If you’re feeling uncertain about key signatures or reading music in general, don’t worry! Our upcoming Intro Sessions are designed to help beginners of all ages develop these foundational skills. For those further along, sign up for our engaging online piano lessons to get more in-depth guidance.
Tip 3: Recognize Patterns
One of the easiest ways to simplify music with many black keys is to look for patterns. In my studio, we do a lot of listening and visual comparisons to identify recurring musical ideas. Many students are surprised to find that a seemingly intricate song only contains 2 or 3 main patterns, with some variations.
Let’s go back to “Follow the Dog Biscuit Road.” Play the first two measures and listen carefully to the left-hand chords. You’ll notice there are only two chords, and the top note is the only one that moves! This is a pattern to remember.
Now, extend that to measures 1 through 4. What changed? I simply moved both hands up an octave.
To see this activity in action, watch the video above or here.
Recognizing these patterns makes learning pieces with many black keys much less daunting. Once you identify a pattern, you only need to learn it once and adapt it as needed throughout the piece.
Mark these patterns in your music! It will make learning and memorizing the piece much faster.
What’s Next?
Before you feel fully comfortable with pieces that feature lots of black keys, it’s essential to improve your ability to play without constantly looking at the keys. Being able to rely on touch is a game-changer, especially when the music is complex.
Check out “Play Keys Without Looking For Better Flow” for some easy ways to practice playing without looking at the keys so you can build trust in your fingers and focus more on the music.
Which tip will help you the most in playing songs with many black keys?
Unlock the Joy of Piano Learning
Picture this: your piano lessons are filled with creative activities, from improvising music on the spot to composing your very own songs.
For parents, imagine the excitement on your child’s face as they not only learn to play the piano but also bring their own music to life, sharing it with friends and family.
For teens and adults, picture yourself effortlessly jamming with friends or impressing them with the latest song you composed—taking your musical skills to the next level.
If you’re ready to explore a fun, dynamic, and inspiring approach to learning piano, join one of our upcoming intro sessions! Spots are filling quickly, so secure your spot today by clicking here or the button below.
