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Piano Basics: First Notes on the Staff (Treble Clef Landmarks)

Capítulo 5

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

1) Identify the Staff and Noteheads

Music is often written on a staff: five horizontal lines with four spaces between them. Notes are shown as noteheads (the oval shapes). Where the notehead sits—on a line or in a space—tells you which note to play.

Line note: the notehead sits directly on a line (the line runs through the middle of the oval).
Space note: the notehead sits in a space (no line through the middle).

For now, we will read in the treble clef (the curly symbol at the left of the staff). Think of it as a sign that says: “Right hand notes live here.”

What “middle C” means on the page

Middle C is a key landmark on the keyboard (you already know how to find it). On the staff, middle C is written on a ledger line—a short extra line—just below the treble staff. You will see it often because it connects treble and bass reading later.

In this chapter, you will learn a few treble notes that sit close to middle C so you can start reading immediately.

2) Learn 3 Anchor Notes (Treble Landmarks Near Middle C)

Anchor notes are “home base” notes you can recognize quickly. Then you can read nearby notes by steps (up/down) without counting lines and spaces every time.

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Anchor Note A: Middle C (C4)

On the staff: ledger line below the treble staff (one short line).
On the keyboard: middle C.
Suggested finger: right hand 1 (thumb) when starting simple patterns.

Anchor Note B: D (D4)

On the staff: the space just below the bottom line of the treble staff (no ledger line).
On the keyboard: the white key immediately to the right of middle C.
Suggested finger: right hand 2 (index) if your thumb is on C.

Anchor Note C: E (E4)

On the staff: the bottom line of the treble staff.
On the keyboard: the white key immediately to the right of D.
Suggested finger: right hand 3 (middle) if your hand is placed with 1 on C.

Quick visual summary (treble staff area)

Note	Where it sits	Keyboard relationship	RH finger (starting position)
C4 (Middle C)	Ledger line below staff	Middle C	1
D4	Space below bottom line	Right of C	2
E4	Bottom line	Right of D	3

Practice goal: when you see these three note placements, you should be able to play them without hesitation.

3) Stepwise Motion vs Repeats (How Notes Move on the Staff)

Most beginner melodies move by steps (to the next line or space) or repeats (same note again).

Stepwise motion

Up by step means the notehead moves to the next line/space above. On the keyboard, you move to the next white key to the right (within this C–D–E set).
Down by step means the notehead moves to the next line/space below. On the keyboard, you move to the next white key to the left.

With our three notes, the step pattern is simple:

C up to D up to E  (C–D–E)  = move right on the keyboard by one white key each time

E down to D down to C  (E–D–C) = move left on the keyboard by one white key each time

Repeats

If the notehead stays in the same place, you play the same key again. Your finger may stay on the key (often) or lift slightly and return, but the pitch does not change.

Short Reading Cards (Note → Key → Finger)

Use these like flashcards. Look at the “notated” description, say the note name out loud, then play the correct key with the suggested finger. Keep your right hand in a simple starting position: RH 1 on C, 2 on D, 3 on E.

Card Set A: Single-note recognition

Card A1: Notehead on ledger line below the staff → C4 → play middle C with RH 1
Card A2: Notehead in space below bottom line → D4 → play D (right of middle C) with RH 2
Card A3: Notehead on bottom line → E4 → play E with RH 3

Card Set B: Steps and repeats (read the motion)

Card B1: C then step up → C–D → keys: middle C then D → fingers: 1–2
Card B2: D then step up → D–E → keys: D then E → fingers: 2–3
Card B3: E then step down → E–D → keys: E then D → fingers: 3–2
Card B4: D then step down → D–C → keys: D then middle C → fingers: 2–1
Card B5: Repeat sign (same note twice) → C–C → key: middle C twice → finger: 1–1

How to drill the cards (30–60 seconds)

Choose 3 cards.
For each card: name the note(s) → tap the key(s) silently → then play.
Rotate cards and repeat. Keep your eyes on the staff as long as possible.

Micro-Melodies (Treble Only: C–D–E) with Steady Counting

These tiny melodies use only the notes you learned: C, D, E. Count steadily as you play. Use a simple count of “1 2 3 4” for each measure. Each note below is a quarter note (one count) unless marked as a repeat pattern.

Micro-Melody 1: “Up and Hold” (4 beats)

Notes: C – D – E – E
Fingers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 3
Count: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Micro-Melody 2: “Down the Steps” (4 beats)

Notes: E – D – C – C
Fingers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 1
Count: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Micro-Melody 3: “Neighbor Notes” (8 beats)

Notes: C – D – C – D – E – D – E – D
Fingers: 1 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 2
Count: 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4

Micro-Melody 4: “Three-Note Walk” (8 beats)

Notes: C – D – E – D – C – D – E – E
Fingers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 3
Count: 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4

Practice checklist while playing

Say the note names quietly (or think them) as you play: C, D, E.
Watch for steps (adjacent staff positions) versus repeats (same position).
Keep the counting steady even when a note repeats.

Now answer the exercise about the content:

In treble clef reading near middle C, what should you do on the keyboard when a note moves up by step from C to D?

You are right! Congratulations, now go to the next page

You missed! Try again.

Stepping up means the notehead moves to the next line/space higher, and on the keyboard you move to the next white key to the right. From C, that next key is D.