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Piano Keyboard Layout

Learn How to Navigate the Piano Keyboard

By , About.com Guide

C notes highlighted on a piano.

C notes highlighted on the keyboard.

Image © Brandy Kraemer

In this lesson, you will learn:

  1. The layout of the piano keys.
  2. How to find the C note on your piano, and use it as your compass.

Layout of the Piano Keys

Don’t be intimidated by the length of your piano keyboard, it’s a lot simpler than it looks.

Take a look at your keyboard. Do you notice a repeating pattern?

There are sets of two black keys, and sets of three black keys. The black keys are going to help you find the notes you want. Without them, it would be nearly impossible to tell the white keys apart. Use the black keys to point you to the most crucial note on the board, the C.

Finding the C Note on Your Piano

Your life is going to revolve around C from now on, so let’s get you introduced.

The C note is always the white key right before the two black keys. This is the same throughout the entire piano keyboard; the pattern repeats itself.

Try It: Locate and play every C on your keyboard, using the two black keys as your guide.

In picture #1, the C notes are highlighted.


Tip: Remembering C's location can be tricky. It comes before a group of black keys just like the F key. Remember:
  • C comes before the group of two black keys.
  • F comes before the group of three black keys.

Take a look at picture #2 to observe the difference.


Now that you can successfully locate C on your keyboard, you need to learn how to find middle C.

Explore Piano

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