Piano Beginner Tutorial 1 - Sakura118

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Introduction
Sakura, also known as Cherry Blossom, is a traditional Japanese folk song known for its beautiful melody and easy-to-learn tune. It is a popular choice for beginner pianists due to its simplicity and its reflection of Japanese culture. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the basics of playing Sakura on the piano, step by step.

Sheet Music

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Notes
The sheet music for Sakura uses only three notes: G, A, and B. Locate these notes on the piano keyboard. G is the white key to the left of the black keys in the middle of the keyboard, A is the black key to the right of G, and B is the white key to the right of A.

Step 2: Practice the Right Hand
Start by practicing the right-hand melody. The melody is played with your right hand using the thumb, index, and middle finger. Use your thumb for the G notes, your index finger for the A notes, and your middle finger for the B notes. The rhythm of the melody is simple, with each note played as a quarter note.

Step 3: Practice the Left Hand
The left hand plays a simple accompaniment to the melody. The left hand plays a G chord throughout the song. The G chord is formed by pressing the G, B, and D keys with your thumb, index, and middle finger, respectively. The left hand plays the chord as a quarter note, followed by a rest for the remaining three beats of the measure.

Step 4: Put It All Together
Once you are comfortable playing the right and left hands separately, it's time to put it all together. Start by playing the left-hand accompaniment while humming the melody. Gradually add the right-hand melody, making sure to synchronize the two hands. The tempo of the song is moderate, so take your time and focus on playing the notes accurately.

Step 5: Add Expression
Sakura is a beautiful and expressive song. As you play, pay attention to the dynamics indicated in the sheet music. The dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play. The song starts softly, gradually increasing in volume, and then ending softly again. Use these dynamics to add expression and emotion to your performance.

Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now learned to play Sakura on the piano. This is a great accomplishment, especially for beginners. Continue practicing to improve your accuracy, timing, and expression. With time and practice, you will be able to play Sakura beautifully and confidently.