Piano Guidance
Photo by Charles Parker Pexels Logo Photo: Charles Parker

What is B in piano notes?

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
Why do so many musicians quit?
Why do so many musicians quit?

Burnout, disillusionment, boredom – there are lots of reasons why people leave the music business. Dec 25, 2021

Read More »
What are the 3 types of piano?
What are the 3 types of piano?

As we mentioned before, the different types of pianos can be broken into three categories - acoustic, hybrid, and digital. However, the styles of...

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.

Is it okay to buy old piano?
Is it okay to buy old piano?

Buying a used piano is a good move for most prospective piano owners. Pianos tend to have long shelf lives, especially if they are properly...

Read More »
What language is piano from?
What language is piano from?

The word piano comes from Italian, and it means to play softly. The instrument we call a piano was once called a pianoforte because you could play...

Read More »

How do you play B on guitar?

B Major Make a barre with your first finger on the second fret. Put your second finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string. Put your third finger on the fourth fret of the third string. Put your fourth finger on the fourth fret of the second string. Strum only the highest five strings.

HOW TO PLAY

B Major

STEP BY STEP

How to play a B Major chord on the guitar

Make a barre with your first finger on the second fret. Put your second finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string. Put your third finger on the fourth fret of the third string. Put your fourth finger on the fourth fret of the second string. Strum only the highest five strings.

HOW IT’S USED

The most common progression you’ll likely see with B Major is going from B, to E, to F#, or I, IV, V:

B E F#

Bad Reputation, by Joan Jett, is a great example. Just make sure to play it loud:

I don’t give a damn about my reputation B E F# B

B F# G#m E

As heard in I’m Yours, by Jason Mraz:

Well you B done done me and you bet I felt it F# I tried to be chill but you’re so hot I melted I G#m fell right through the cracks. And now I’m E trying to get back

SEE ALSO

Other common chords in the key of B Major:

Which video conferencing app is best for music lessons?
Which video conferencing app is best for music lessons?

Zoom is a great videoconferencing app, and most music teachers and students are now familiar with it, making it a great low-barrier option. Zoom...

Read More »
What is a 64 key piano called?
What is a 64 key piano called?

List Key number MIDI note Scientific name 65 85 C♯6/D♭6 64 84 C6 Soprano C (High C) 63 83 B5 81 more rows

Read More »
How long should I shower?
How long should I shower?

between five and 15 minutes Dermatologists suggest that the average shower should be between five and 15 minutes, but it depends on what you plan...

Read More »
How much does an upright piano cost to tune?
How much does an upright piano cost to tune?

Typically, most piano tuners charge by the hour, but $100 to $200 every 6-12 months is much cheaper than having the piano restrung. This process...

Read More »