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Here are the main things you need to know about piano keys and learning the piano:

• The standard piano has 88 keys
• Piano notes are labelled from A to G
• Learn some mnemonics to help you read piano music 
• Intuitive learning and recognising intervals can help you play and read efficiently 
• Regular practice techniques can improve your ability  

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How many keys does a piano have? 

A standard piano has 88 keys: 52 white keys and 36 black keys. With 88 keys, you can explore a wide variety of musical styles and dynamics as most music is written specifically for this range of notes. 

In contrast, most standard keyboards have 61 keys (36 white and 25 black), offering a more compact option suited to beginners and stage use. 

Synthesizers, on the other hand, often vary in size. It all depends on what your playing needs and preferences are. For example, you might need a small synthesize keyboard that you can easily take from gig to gig, or you might need a full-sized synth for use in the studio.   

Piano key layout

The piano keyboard is arranged with alternating black and white keys in a repeating pattern of 12 notes. Each group contains seven white keys and five black keys, with the black keys arranged in a two-key and three-key sequence.  

This design makes it easy to navigate notes and identify scales, chords, and melodies supporting natural hand positioning and smooth transitions. For tips on mastering the piano check out our how to play piano guide. It’s the same on all keyboards, whether a full-sized digital piano or a keyboard.

Piano notes are labelled from A to G and grouped into octaves, each containing eight notes.  The number of octaves on a piano depends on its length, but a standard piano typically features around 88 keys. 

The white keys represent the natural notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), while the black keys are known as sharps and flats. Each black key has two names, which are determined by their position relative to the white keys. For example, the black key just below the white D note is called D flat (Db), and the same key is also above the C note, making it C sharp (C#). 

This dual-naming system for black keys provides flexibility in musical notation and helps in understanding musical scales and chords.

The history of piano keys 

The first piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in the early 1700s, and it featured just 54 keys. However, as composers began writing more complex music that went beyond the octaves of a standard piano, they demanded instruments with a wider range.  

Over the centuries, piano makers expanded the keyboard, with the modern 88-key layout becoming standard by the 1890s. This range spans 71/4 octaves, from 27.5 Hz to 4,186 Hz, the frequency range the human ear can hear.

Some manufacturers, such as Bösendorfer, have taken this a step further by experimenting with additional keys. The Bösendorfer Imperial, for instance, boasts an impressive 97 keys, spanning eight octaves. The idea behind these extra keys is to produce a richer tone and provide a wider array of tonal possibilities. However, it is worth noting that pianos with an extended range are rarely used or manufactured today.

Why is it standard to have 88 keys? 

Having 88 keys on a piano has become the standard because most piano music fits comfortably within this range. Spanning seven octaves and a minor third, the 88 keys encompass all the octaves needed to replicate written sheet music with ease. They also provide ample versatility for composers and performers to explore melodies, harmonies, and dynamics effectively.

The balance between high and low frequencies is easily discernible across the 88 keys, allowing you to clearly distinguish each note. This range covers almost everything required for both classical and modern repertoire.

We’ve mentioned the Bosendorfer 97-key pianos, and although they are pretty cool, the extra keys actually aren’t used very often. Rather, they primarily enhance resonance and tonal depth.

Notes on a staff and how to read them

When reading sheet music, you’ll find that notes are laid out on five lines and four spaces, collectively known as a staff. In piano music, there are two staffs: the treble and the bass. These help musicians read and interpret music accurately, ensuring each note is played correctly. 

The treble clef/staff indicates the higher register of notes and is typically played with the right hand. It features notes that sound higher in pitch, making it ideal for melodies and higher harmonies. On the other hand, the bass clef/staff represents the lower register of notes, played with the left hand. This staff contains notes that sound deeper and are usually used for bass lines and lower harmonies. 

Reading notes using mnemonics 

It’s difficult to learn every note on a staff when you’re just starting out, which is why some mnemonics can come in handy! These are helpful phrases that allow you to identify the notes quickly. Each staff type, treble and bass, has two mnemonics: one for the notes on the lines and another for the notes in the spaces. 

For the treble staff, the notes on the lines are E, G, B, D, and F. A common mnemonic for remembering these is “Every Good Boy Does Fine”. For the spaces, which spell out F, A, C, and E, the mnemonic is “FACE”. Remember, “face in space”!

On the bass staff, the notes on the lines are G, B, D, F, and A. The mnemonic “Good Burritos Don’t Fall Apart” helps us remember these notes. For the spaces, which are A, C, E, and G, memorise the phrase “All Cows Eat Grass”. 

Get to know the notes at a glance 

Whilst mnemonics are a good way of getting to know the notes on a staff, sometimes it’s easier to learn notes by heart. By separating and learning the different sections and boundaries on the staff that each octave falls into, you can quickly identify notes at a glance. 

For instance, middle C is a crucial reference point; on the treble staff, it appears on a ledger line below the staff, while on the bass staff, it is on a ledger line above the staff. Treble G is situated on the second line from the bottom of the treble staff, making it easily recognisable. 

Understanding these key positions helps you map out the entire staff more efficiently. With practice, you’ll find it easier to identify notes without relying solely on mnemonics, enhancing your sight-reading skills and musical fluency.  

Learning intuitively using intervals

A good way to learn to read sheet music is by following the shape of the notes on the staff and understanding the intervals between them. 

Intervals, the distances between notes, help you anticipate and execute the jumps and steps in a piece. For instance, if the music moves up by a third on the staff, you count up three notes on the piano. Similarly, descending intervals guide your hand movement downwards. 

Our top tips for remembering piano notes  

Watch piano tutorials

Piano tutorials are invaluable for learning piano notes, offering practical demonstrations for you to follow. They break down complex concepts into manageable lessons that make note-reading easier.  

Visual aids like on-screen keyboards can help you associate written notes with piano keys, reinforcing memory. Step-by-step instructions and repetitive exercises build muscle memory and familiarity with the piano layout.  

Tutorials often use mnemonics to aid recall and can be tailored to individual learning paces and styles. Whether through videos, apps, or online courses, tutorials provide a flexible and supportive way to master piano notes. 

Practise everyday 

Reading music and notes is like learning a language, and by practising regularly, this will soon become second nature. 

Learning scales 

Scales form the backbone of any piece of music, no matter how obscure it is! You should start learning scales as soon as possible as these teach you everything you need to know about key signatures, harmonies, and intervals. They’ll also help you better understand pieces of music, as you’ll have an idea of how they’re formed.

Plus, learning scales can help you with improvisation and writing music.

Understand the layout of your keyboard

One of the first things to do when learning the piano is familiarise yourself with the arrangement of the black and white keys, such as where middle C is and how the octaves are split up. This will help you quickly locate notes and improve your hand positioning. 

Start slowly 

Starting to learn slowly allows you to focus on accuracy, ensuring you correctly identify and play each note. It builds a strong foundation, preventing bad habits and reinforcing correct techniques.

Slow practice also enhances muscle memory, making note recognition and hand movements more instinctive. Plus, it reduces frustration, keeping you motivated and engaged.

As your confidence grows, you can gradually increase speed while maintaining precision. 

Learn songs in the key of C 

The key of C has no sharps or flats, using only the white keys; this makes it a great key to get to grips with first. 

Practising in this key helps build a solid understanding of note positions and relationships on the staff and keyboard.  

Learn to identify intervals

The ability to recognise and play the distances between notes is a very useful skill to have. By identifying intervals, you can quickly locate notes on the staff and keyboard, helping with sight reading and learning a piece quickly. 

Training your ear to identify intervals will also greatly improve your aural skills and help you anticipate note patterns and harmonies. Plus, if you practise playing these intervals regularly enough, you’ll build your muscle memory. So, when you read it on a staff, you’ll be able to access it on the piano effortlessly. 

FAQs 

What are the 88 keys of a piano?

The 88 keys of a piano cover seven octaves and an additional three notes in the lower register. There are 52 white keys and 36 black keys.

Do beginners need an 88-key piano?

Beginners don’t need an 88-key piano to learn the basics, a 66-note or 72-note piano will be sufficient. However, to have the scope to play more complex pieces as you progress, you may find that you need the range of an 88-key piano. 

What are the piano keys in order?

The order of notes on a piano is A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. In between these notes are sharps and flats.

Final thoughts  

The piano is a great way to learn music theory as the keyboard lays out all the notes in front of you and requires you to understand two clefs. It’s also a fantastic starting point not only for learning the different piano keys but also for expanding your skillset to other instruments.  

Do you have more tips for learning the notes of a piano? Let us know in the comments!