Completing the C Position

Adding F and G: The Complete C Position

You already know C, D, and E. Now it is time to add the final two notes in the C position: F and G. With all five fingers placed on five consecutive white keys, you have everything you need to play your first real melody.

Placing Fingers 4 and 5

Your right hand should already be in C position with fingers 1, 2, and 3 on C, D, and E. Now make sure:

• Finger 4 (ring finger) rests on F
• Finger 5 (pinky) rests on G

The ring finger and pinky are naturally weaker than the other fingers. This is completely normal. They will gain strength and independence with practice. Pay extra attention to keeping a curved shape and pressing firmly enough to produce a clear sound.

The Five-Note Scale

Play all five notes going up and then back down:

C → D → E → F → G → F → E → D → C

This is called a five-finger pattern or pentascale. It is one of the most fundamental patterns in piano playing. Keep each note even in volume and duration. Count steadily as you play.

Your First Song: Mary Had a Little Lamb

You now know enough notes to play a real melody. Here is “Mary Had a Little Lamb” using the notes of the C position. The numbers represent your right hand fingers:

E D C D | E E E — | D D D — | E G G —

E D C D | E E E E | D D E D | C — — —

Each note gets one count, and the dash (—) means hold for one extra count. Play this very slowly at first, making sure each note is clear. Once you can play it without mistakes, gradually increase your speed.

Finger Independence Check

A common challenge at this stage is that when finger 4 plays, finger 3 or 5 may try to move along with it. This is because the tendons in your hand connect these fingers. With practice, you will gain more independence. Here is a quick exercise:

• Place all five fingers in C position.
• Play only finger 4 (F) five times, keeping all other fingers still on their keys.
• Now play only finger 5 (G) five times, keeping all other fingers still.
• Alternate: finger 4, finger 5, finger 4, finger 5, ten times.

Exercise 1: Five-Finger Warm-Up

Play this pattern three times:

C → D → E → F → G → F → E → D → C (ascending and descending)

Then play it again, but this time try to make every note exactly the same volume. Listen carefully.

Exercise 2: Play Mary Had a Little Lamb

Practice the melody written above at least five times. On the first two attempts, go very slowly and say the note names out loud as you play. On the next three attempts, try to play a bit more smoothly without stopping between notes.