SUMMARY

Full details of how to number the keys are given in the Beginners Course (Section 2). You can use stickers or non-permanent markers, but my preferred way is to buy silicone strips. You can search Amazon for:- "silicone piano note labels" 


The silicone strips you buy have traditional note letters and notation on them, but if you turn them over, you can write the DecPlay numbers on the back. 

 


INFO ON NUMBERING THE KEYS

The purpose of this lesson is to prepare your keyboard, ready for Skill 1 (in the Beginners Course).

  1. Numbering the keys is optional, but most students prefer to do this as it can speed up their initial progress.

  2. Ideally use silicone strips, but stickers or non-permanent markers (e.g. dry wipe / whiteboard markers) can be used instead (provided they can be removed without leaving a mark after a few weeks or months). Once you are familiar with the keyboard, you can remove the numbers and identify the keys just by looking at them (which will enable you to play on any keyboard or piano, not just your own).

       

PREFERRED METHOD - SILICONE STRIPS

As an alternative to using stickers or a whiteboard marker to number your keyboard, I recommend using silicone strip key labels. You don't need to label all the keys on the keyboard, so getting either the 61 or 88 key versions are fine, no matter what size your keyboard is. 

I would recommend doing a search on Amazon for "silicone piano note labels".

The silicone strips you buy have traditional note letters and notation on them but, if you turn them over, you can write the DecPlay numbers on the back.   

The benefit of using silicone strips is they avoid any potential unwanted marking of your keyboard, and they are portable, so you can take your strip with you and use it on any keyboard you wish to play.  

DO I NEED TO NUMBER THE KEYS?

It is personal preference whether you wish to put the numbers on the keys. Using numbers will make your initial progress faster, but if you already are familiar with the note names, or you are willing to wait longer for progress, you could try learning without the numbers on the keys.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS - HOW TO NUMBER THE KEYS


OTHER OPTIONS TO NUMBER THE KEYS

If you are unable to use silicone strips, you can use the following, which are available from stationers or online (eg Amazon)


DIAGRAM - KEY NUMBERS

Top Tips:

  1. The hands play in the same position relative to middle C, no matter how many keys are on the keyboard.

  2. The left-hand numbers start in the octave below middle C.

  3. The right-hand underlined numbers start from middle C upwards.
      

The diagram below shows:-

  • Left hand chord numbers 
    - these can be black or in colour 
    - chord 7 is very rarely played, so it's optional whether you label key 7 or not

  • Right hand melody numbers 
    - it is optional whether you wish to number the keys from 1 to 4 as these keys are not usually used at this stage of the course. 
    - Choosing not to number these 4 keys, creates a gap which makes it easier to differentiate between the left hand numbers and the right hand numbers.



CLEANING KEYS / REMOVING LABELS

After you become familiar with the number of the keys, you may wish to remove them.  


Using silicone strips means there shouldn't be any residue left on the keys, after you remove the strips.


When removing stickers or whiteboard marks, I use a non-toxic cleaner called White Rocks to clean the keys. Here's an Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whiterocks-White-Rocks-Cleaner-500g/dp/B08PZBNJPQ?th=1


**WARNING** If you use markers or stickers - make sure they can be easily removed so they don't damage your keys. If in doubt, do a test on a single key eg the key furthest left on the keyboard.

**DecPlay accepts no liability for damage to your keyboard **.

Special care needs to be taken with ivory keys on an acoustic piano.  Iif in doubt, speak to a musical instrument shop for guidance.