Piano notes are based on the first seven letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, which are repeated across the keyboard in a 12-note pattern. This pattern will consist of white keys (natural notes) and black keys (sharps and flats). The black keys are known on the basis of the white key to their left (sharp, #) or right (flat, ♭).
12-note pattern
- The 12 notes on the piano will consist of C, C-sharp (D-flat), D, D-sharp (E-flat), E, F, F-sharp (G-flat), G, G-sharp (A-flat), A, A-sharp (B-flat), and B.
Natural notes
- The white keys will be the natural notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
- Each group of black keys is related and surrounded by white keys. The black keys are patterned with a group of two, followed by a group of three.