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You are here: Home / Musical Activities For... / 5+ / First Piano Lessons: Fingers!

First Piano Lessons: Fingers!

July 1, 2021 By Sara Mullett 32 Comments

New here? Make sure you visit our Introduction to First Piano Lessons before you start!

Up and Down the Escalator  – from the First Piano Lessons is a fun and playful way to introduce finger exercises.

When kids first start to play the piano, it does takes a while to strengthen their little fingers. They’ll find it quite difficult at first and it requires practice and patience and lots of repetition to build up the strength and co-ordination needed to use each finger independently.

  • Start by drawing around the hands of the child on a sheet of paper, or alternatively you can print the finger chart shown below.
  • Ask the child to number the fingers 1 -5 on both hands starting with the thumbs as 1 and the little fingers as 5.
  • Explain that when learning piano, we number our fingers to help us tell which ones to use.
  • Each finger belongs to it’s own note and it’s own turn at playing. First Piano Lessons : Introducing Piano Fingering

 

First Piano Lessons fingering

Introducing Piano Fingering

  • Using the Cats – Dogs game as a way to find middle C, place the Right Hand on CDEFG with the fingers 1- 5.
  • Ask the child to play each note with each finger and repeat it 3 times.
  • Call this exercise Up And Down The Escalator and sing the words as they play.
  • Explain that 4s and 5s are usually weak, because they are normally a bit lazy and never really do anything on their own.
  • That is why it’s always difficult at first, but just like riding a bike or learning to write your name, practise will always help!
  • Repeat this exercise with the Left Hand, with the 1 (thumb) on middle C and the fingers going down in steps the opposite way.

First Piano Lessons : Introducing Piano Fingering

Finger Strengthening

  • The fingers should be curved over the notes, as if holding a small ball or apple. This is difficult at first, as weaker fingers will be harder to control.
  • Make sure each note is released as you play the next. Children often tend to hold two or three notes down through lack of control at first.
  • Try not to let the hand collapse downwards and rest on the keys. This will need gentle reminders. Reassure that the more you do it the easier it gets!
  • This exercise can be practiced anywhere, you don’t need to be at the piano. You can practise on your leg, in the car, or at the table and you’ll find it easy in no time!
  • When it is getting easier, try balancing a penny on the back of the hand and play it without it sliding off. A little competition always helps!
  • Once they have mastered each hand separately, try both hands together, both 1s starting on middle C together, then playing both 2s-3s-4s-5s and back again. This is the first time they play anything hands together, so very satisfying! Not bad for a first piano lesson! Sounds good too!

Don’t miss the rest of the First Piano Lesson series:

Getting Started

The Easiest Way To Learn The Notes

Introducing The Note family

Piano Finger Note Pets

Check out our First Piano Lessons eBook for lots of fun piano beginner’s resources & support!

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Fingers!

 

 

Filed Under: 5+, Classical Music for Kids, First Piano Lessons, How To Read Music, Musical Activities For..., Preschoolers Tagged With: First Piano Lesson Series, Free Printables

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Comments

  1. Kaira says

    January 30, 2020 at 5:05 am

    Hey! I am 15 years old and got a keyboard for Christmas. I learned songs, but I know very little of the notes, and I know how to read music though. My 7 year old brother wanted to learn how to play it, and so not only has this educated him, it also educated me a little bit as well. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Sara Mullett says

      January 30, 2020 at 1:22 pm

      That’s great to hear Kaira! keep practicing and you’ll both get better and better!

      Reply
  2. Allana says

    November 30, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    Hello, I just purchased your book to to help my 9 year old. I dont understand how it is possible to play up and down the scale using the left hand starting with the thumb and matching # fingers to notes. If the thumb is placed on middle c how is the child supposed to move naturally up and down the scale without flipping the hand over?? Or doing a very unnatural climb with each finger twisting over the other? It’s a natural progression for the right hand as the notes lie in place the the numbered fingers. However, not for the left. Please explain? Is there a link to a video that would help this make sense for me? I cannot help her if I don’t understand something so basic. Thank you for your time!

    Reply
    • Sara Mullett says

      November 30, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      HI Allana, The left hand moves in the opposite direction to the right, so starting with the Left 1 (thumb) on middle C the fingers walk down the keyboard, each finger playing the next note down in steps – 1-C 2-B 3-A 4-G 5-F – and then back up again to where you started – 4-G 3-A 2-B 1-C

      ‘Repeat this exercise with the Left Hand, with the 1 (thumb) on middle C and the fingers going down in steps the opposite way.’

      I hope this helps 🙂
      ‘

      Reply
      • Allana says

        December 7, 2016 at 2:24 am

        Yes it does, thank you! I think I was taking the visual too literally.
        Much Appreciation 🙂

        Reply
        • Sara Mullett says

          December 7, 2016 at 9:45 am

          You’re welcome Allana! I am always very happy to answer any questions! 🙂

          Reply
  3. Sharon Haile says

    August 8, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    I agree. I started playing when I was 5. I am now 45 and still playing at an advanced level. My teacher just had me start playing and I learned the notes after a few lessons. The first few lessons were hand/wrist positioning, sitting at the piano, just playing around with it etc. Basically, she made it fun. Everything else came after. Have faith in the teacher and don’t try to tell him/her how to do their job. They know what they are doing.

    Reply
    • Angie says

      September 11, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      I’m getting a piano today for my five year old son that loves music I have no clue where to start teaching him can anyone help me know where to start. I know learn fingers and notes but how do I label the keys. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

      Reply
      • Sara Mullett says

        September 15, 2016 at 6:46 pm

        Hi Angie,

        You’ve certainly come to the right place! You’ll find lots of ideas and help for piano beginners on the Lets Play Music website. But it is better if you avoid labelling the keys as this just prevents the child properly memorising the correct order and place for each note on the keyboard. If you check out this post you’ll find a fun way to help kids learn them – http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/first-piano-lessons-for-kids/ Good luck!

        Reply
  4. Ralph says

    March 25, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Thanks a lot! Pls can a complete scheme for piano lessons for kids

    Reply
  5. chukwuka says

    January 31, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Pls I nid the proper fingerings for both hands on the piano and also for the pedalboard.

    Reply
    • Sara Mullett says

      February 1, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Hi, For ‘Up and Down the Escalator’ the fingering for the left hand is the same as for the right – 1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1 -starting on middle C and going downwards towards the low notes. You asked about pedalling – it is too early at this stage to introduce the use of the pedal.I hope that helps!

      Reply
  6. Monica Sanchez says

    October 5, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    I got a question my daughter is 8 years and she just begin taking piano lesson but she hasn’t learn any notes or anything she just went straight to playing piano is that they way it should be? I thought they were suppose to begin with learning the notes. Do you think that’s right? I decide to google it and I can up with your website so I hope u can give any advice

    Reply
    • Amy Selke says

      October 7, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      Monica, Don’t worry about that right now, many teachers want to get kids started playing so they feel like they are accomplishing something. Your daughters piano teacher will probably have her learning the notes within the next week or two. I am a piano teacher and I always start with the finger numbers as well as learning how to differentiate between the set of two and three black keys, by doing that it makes it easier for the kids to learn their notes the next week.

      Reply
      • Sara Mullett says

        October 7, 2014 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks for your comment Amy, I completely agree, I’m sure the teacher is getting her new pupil settled in, and the note learning will be coming along very soon!

        Reply
    • Sara Mullett says

      October 7, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Hi Monica, I agree with Amy, I’m sure your daughter will be learning the notes very soon. Her teacher is probably wanting to encourage her to relax and enjoy the lessons. The most important thing is to make sure a child is happy and relaxed right from the start and then they will be ready to learn. Good luck with the lessons!

      Reply
  7. henryjoy says

    August 31, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    love this much. pls can I still get something simpler than this.

    Reply
  8. yasmine says

    November 13, 2013 at 10:55 am

    i really like your blog.. got a question.. should i use the same division of classes for both adults and kids, or i should use less material for kids? thanks

    Reply
    • Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

      November 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Thanks Yasmine, Glad you like the blog! 🙂
      The piano lesson series were written specifically with children in mind, and it is always important to gauge each child’s ability and concentration, so as not to make them feel pressured in any way. Lessons should be little and often, and gradually increased to suit each child.
      Although Adults are very welcome to try these lessons, they are aimed at children.

      Reply
      • yasmine says

        November 16, 2013 at 8:45 pm

        thanks alot for the advice.. ill keep reading your blog. cant wait for more of your valuable advice! 🙂

        Reply

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