Beginner Piano Lesson Worksheet for 14-Year-Olds — Music Practice & Theory

Instructions

Welcome to the piano! This worksheet will help you get started with the fundamental concepts of playing. Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Have fun!

Part 1: The Keyboard Landscape

The piano keyboard has a repeating pattern of white and black keys. The white keys are named using the first seven letters of the alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).

• The black keys are in groups of two and three.
• The note "C" is always the white key immediately to the left of the group of two black keys.
• The note "F" is always the white key immediately to the left of the group of three black keys.

Complete the following sentences and fill in the blanks.

1. Once you find any "C" on the keyboard, what are the names of the next two white keys to its right?
   C, _____, _____


2. Once you find any "F" on the keyboard, what are the names of the next three white keys to its right?
   F, _____, _____, _____


3. A "scale" is a series of notes played in order. The C Major scale uses only white keys. Fill in the missing notes for the C Major scale.
   C - D - ____ - F - ____ - A - ____ - C

Part 2: Basic Rhythms & Note Values

Music is made of sounds that have different lengths, or "values." In 4/4 time (the most common time signature), we use the following basic note values:

• Whole Note: Lasts for 4 beats.
• Half Note: Lasts for 2 beats.
• Quarter Note: Lasts for 1 beat.

Do some simple "Music Math."

1. How many Quarter Notes are in one Half Note? __________


2. How many Half Notes are in one Whole Note? __________


3. If you have a measure with one Half Note and one Quarter Note, how many beats are left over to make a total of 4? __________

Clap and Count: Try clapping the rhythm of the notes below. Count a steady "1 - 2 - 3 - 4" out loud for each line.

• Line 1: Quarter Note, Quarter Note, Half Note
• Line 2: Half Note, Quarter Note, Quarter Note
• Line 3: Whole Note

Part 3: Reading Music - The Grand Staff

Piano music is written on the Grand Staff, which is two staves (sets of 5 lines and 4 spaces) joined together. The top staff uses the Treble Clef (for higher notes, usually played by the right hand), and the bottom staff uses the Bass Clef (for lower notes, usually played by the left hand).

We use mnemonics (memory aids) to remember the note names on the lines and spaces.

• Treble Clef Lines: Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (from bottom to top)
• Treble Clef Spaces: Spells the word F A C E (from bottom to top)


• Bass Clef Lines: Good Boys Do Fine Always (from bottom to top)
• Bass Clef Spaces: All Cows Eat Grass (from bottom to top)

Use the mnemonics to identify the following notes.

1. In the Treble Clef, what is the name of the note on the very top line? __________


2. In the Treble Clef, what is the name of the note in the second space from the bottom? __________


3. In the Bass Clef, what is the name of the note on the middle line? __________


4. In the Bass Clef, what is the name of the note in the very top space? __________


5. Challenge: There is one special note that can be written just below the Treble Clef staff or just above the Bass Clef staff. It sits on its own little line (a ledger line). What note is it? __________

Part 4: Musical Terms Jumble

Unscramble the letters to reveal a common musical term. Use the clue to help you!

1. ETROF
   Clue: A dynamic marking that means "play loudly."
   Answer: ____________________


2. CLEF
   Clue: The symbol at the beginning of the staff that tells you which notes are on the lines and spaces.
   Answer: ____________________


3. BEAT
   Clue: The steady pulse of the music.
   Answer: ____________________


4. PAINO
   Clue: A dynamic marking that means "play quietly."
   Answer: ____________________

Answer Key

Part 1: The Keyboard Landscape

1. C, D, E
2. F, G, A, B
3. C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

Part 2: Basic Rhythms & Note Values

1. 2
2. 2
3. 1 (A half note [2] + a quarter note [1] = 3 beats. 4 - 3 = 1 beat left over)

Part 3: Reading Music - The Grand Staff

1. F (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge)
2. A (F A C E)
3. D (Good Boys Do Fine Always)
4. G (All Cows Eat Grass)
5. Middle C

Part 4: Musical Terms Jumble

1. FORTE
2. CLEF
3. BEAT
4. PIANO