Piano Guidance
Photo by Romawi  Namaasli Pexels Logo Photo: Romawi Namaasli

What does B mean in piano?

flat A flat (which looks like a lowercase 'B': b) means to play the next lower key. Many beginners are confused by this point, as they think that a sharp or flat means a black key.

key-notes.com - Piano Key Chart
Can you get ivory without killing animals?
Can you get ivory without killing animals?

The only way a tusk can be removed without killing the animal is if the animal sheds the tooth on its own. Jun 12, 2019

Read More »
Why do people use 60% keyboard?
Why do people use 60% keyboard?

Investing in a 60% keyboard can save you a lot of space on your desk, it can improve your game thanks to high-end switches, and it can make moving...

Read More »

Piano Key Chart

If you’re just learning to find notes on the piano keyboard, this basic piano key chart is designed for you. The chart includes naturals (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), flats and sharps. (Double sharps and double flats have been omitted, since the chart would otherwise get too confusing and do more harm than good.) If you’re just getting started, you might wish to start with the Piano Notes Chart… but be sure to return here! If you only learn one thing about the piano key chart, make sure it’s this: The keys are not the notes (see Layout of Piano Keys). You’ll notice that each key has two different note names in the chart. In fact, technically speaking there’s no limit to the number of notes that correspond to a given key on a piano. Hence, the first key in the chart could be C or B-sharp, or it could be D double flat or even A triple sharp! The piano would be impossible to play if it had separate keys for all the flats, sharps, double flats and double sharps. Therefore, each possible note in Western music corresponds to one key on a piano, and in fact many different notes correspond to the same key. These notes (called enharmonic) are “close enough” in pitch that most people couldn’t detect any real difference anyway, so only a single piano key is used for all of them. This doesn’t mean that they’re all created equal. The reason that all these different notes exist which are played by only one key on a piano is that it depends on how a composer uses them. Thus, F-sharp and G-flat might sound the same (on a piano at least), but they can have very different functions in actual music. For a very convincing demonstration, listen to the examples in the article Piano Theory. If you’re just learning the piano keyboard, first learn the middle row of white keys (C, D, E…). These are the naturals, and they’ll serve to orient you. Now, a sharp (which looks like a pound sign: #) means to play the next higher key. That next key can be either black or white. A flat (which looks like a lowercase ‘B’: b) means to play the next lower key. Many beginners are confused by this point, as they think that a sharp or flat means a black key. Sharps and flats are not the black keys. All black keys are either a sharp or flat, but not all sharps and flats are black keys. Remember, an accidental (a sharp or flat) merely means to play the next higher or lower key on a piano, and that next key may be black or white. Putting these facts together, you can now easily find any key on the piano! The piano key chart above will help guide you in case you get stuck.

What is the golden triad?
What is the golden triad?

We call one such combination 'The Golden Triad', and it's a trio of three different treatments that will not only help to reverse signs of ageing,...

Read More »
What is the most overused chord progression?
What is the most overused chord progression?

I-V-vi-IV So many songs are based on the same common chord progressions. This progression is called “the most popular progression” for a reason....

Read More »

What notes are in an B flat chord?

The B-flat major triad, more commonly called the B-flat major chord or simply the B-flat chord for short, consists of the notes B-flat, D and F.

key-notes.com - B-flat Chord - Key-Notes

B-flat Chord

The B-flat major triad, more commonly called the B-flat major chord or simply the B-flat chord for short, consists of the notes B-flat, D and F. Here it is on the treble clef staff:

… and on the bass clef staff:

Here are both of the above chords on the piano:

As B-flat major triad, the B-flat chord consists of a major third plus a minor third. The interval from B-flat to D is a major third, while the interval between D and F is a minor third.

Inversions of the B-flat Chord

If the root of the B-flat chord – B-flat – is the bass note (i.e., the bottom note), then the chord is in root position: If the third of the chord – D – is the bottom note, then the chord is in first inversion: If the fifth of the chord – F – is the bass note, then the chord is in second inversion. (F is called the fifth of the chord because the interval from the root B-flat to F is a fifth.)

B-flat Major Arpeggios

If the notes of a chord are played one after the other, the chord is said to be arpeggiated. Here are the standard fingerings for arpeggios of the B-flat chord. Make sure you learn these fingerings!

B-flat major arpeggio in root position:

B-flat major arpeggio in first inversion:

B-flat major arpeggio in second inversion:

What smell can rats not resist?
What smell can rats not resist?

Chili Powder - Chili is believed to cause irritation in the nasal passage of rats when inhaled by the rodent. These rodents won't return to the...

Read More »
What 3 chords play any song?
What 3 chords play any song?

Just using the chords G, D and C you can perform the entire song. You can play the melody as single notes, or if you're also singing at the same...

Read More »
Should you leave piano closed?
Should you leave piano closed?

“In the home setting it is never necessary to open the lid unless you prefer the more vibrant sound. It should be closed when not in use to protect...

Read More »
What are the 4 types of harmony?
What are the 4 types of harmony?

The four main voices are typically labelled as soprano (or treble and countertenor), alto (contralto, countertenor or mezzo), tenor, and bass....

Read More »