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The Order of Sharps and Flats on the Piano Keyboard

Home » Piano Notes » Order of Sharps and Flats on the Piano Keyboard

Until today we have been playing only with the white keys, but if you have played a few songs in different places on the piano by ear (As I suggested to do here ) you probably realized that when you do that you also have to press the black keys in order to get the melody right.

Later on we will discuss about why this happens but first let's name the black keys.

"Are we not formed, as notes of music are, for one another, though dissimilar"? ~Percy Bysshe Shelley


the sharp sign

The "SHARP SIGN"

This is the sharp sign.

When you see a sharp sign next to a note it means we have to play the next keys to the right whether it's a black key or a white key.

C Sharp

Order of sharps

In this picture all the Sharps are notated and shown in a logical order.



The flat sign

The "FLAT SIGN"

This is the flat sign.

If you see a flat sign before a note it means you have to play the next key to the LEFT, and again it doesn't matter whether it's a black key or a white one.

E Flat

Order of flats

In this picture all the Sharps are notated and shown in a logical order.


Now let's play a few pieces with sharps and flats.

Pieces with Sharps

Minuet in G by Bach Download

Lullaby by Brahms Download

Joy to the World Download

Pieces with Flats

Mussete by Bach Download

Hallelujah by Handel Download

The Four Seasons by Vivaldi Download

In the next piano lesson I'll show you some importnat music accent marks. It will enrich your music articulation.

Piano Notes →





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