Piano Basics · Chapter 5 of 9

The C Position

Put one finger on each of five white keys and keep your hand still. That’s a five-finger position, and it’s how most first songs are played.

In a five-finger position each finger has its own key, so you can play five notes without moving your hand. The first position most pianists learn is C position.

Right hand

Thumb (1) on middle C. Fingers 2, 3, 4 and 5 on D, E, F and G.

Left hand

Little finger (5) on the C below middle C. Fingers 4, 3, 2 and 1 on D, E, F and G. Your left thumb rests on the G just below middle C.

Keep the hand still

Rest all five fingers lightly on their keys before you start, and leave them there. Play only by moving the finger, not the whole hand. If a song stays in C position, your hand never has to look for a key: the right finger is already on it.

Both hands at once

When two notes are played together, press both keys at the same moment. On a touch screen, use two fingers. With a mouse you can press one key and then the other quickly; on a computer keyboard, hold two letter keys.

Moving to G position

Songs in other keys use other positions. In G position the right thumb sits on the G above middle C, with fingers 2 to 5 on A, B, C and D. The left little finger sits on G2, the second G below middle C, with fingers 4 to 1 on A, B, C and D. Lightly Row uses G position.

Remember

C position: right thumb on middle C; left little finger on the C below it.
One finger per key. Keep the hand still and let the fingers move.
G position: the same shape, starting on G.