HELP with KEYS!!

[wait4thebeep]

I have just started to play the piano and I can't figure out the Keys and Chords. I am learning from a book. I know the difference, I just am having trouble working out the Key of G and Key of F and D. It states (Key of G) that I am to play F# note and not the F# natural note. What does this mean?Does it mean that when it states that I should only play that key and nothing else? or does it mean I play it along with the Chord of G. And which hand do I play it with?

Could someone give me Examples of it played in a song and were my fingers should be whilst doing it!

Thanks!

[puma]

   If something says in the key of G, then (theoretically) all your F's will become F sharps.  So you do not play the F natural note, rather F sharp instead - G A B C D E F# G - whenever you see the F note.  And yes, you could play the G major chord behind the scale you're playing - this holds true for all scales - in C major, you can play the c major scale while playing a c major chord in your left hand.  The key of D has two sharps - F# and C#.  One thing to note is, that in a piece of music, there might be things called "accidentals" - like to play an f natural instead of an f sharp, even though it is in the key of G.  Or you may have to play a g sharp instead of g natural.  This will be notated in the piece.
   The basic chord you would be playing is a 1-3-5 chord - take the first, third, and fifth notes from a scale, play them, and you've got the major chord for that scale.  Ex: In the key of G, if I take G, B, and D, and play them together, I get G major.  You can make the chord minor by lowering the third note in that chord.  G Bb D would give you G minor.  Finally, you can make your scale minor by playing the same notes but STARTING on the sixth note.  Ex: If i play the notes of C major starting on A, A B C D E F G A, I get a natural A minor scale.
   There are 12 basic major scales, but really there are 15 altogether.  The order of them is based on the circle of fifths: C G D A E B(C flat) F# (G flat) C# (D flat) A flat, E flat, B flat, F.  As you can see, the three scales, B F# and C# have what i like to call sister scales, the flat scales, with different signatures but really the same notes on the keyboard.  A book like Hanon will contain all of the scales of the circle of fifths, along with fingerings, etc.  Circle of fifths is important in theory and playing, and is traditionally taught in music theory and keyboard.
    There's a lot more, but this is the very basic stuff - which can take you very far!  Even the most advanced pianist will practice his or her scales and chords.  I teach this stuff to my beginners and people wanting to learn.  If you have any other questions, ask away there are plenty of knowledgeable people here who can probably answer your questions.  But I recommend a real teacher - either college or private - so you can understand the theory behind the scales and become familiar with the basics.  This way you will understand the relationship between the notes on the page and the notes you actually have to play.

[puma]

  Btw, the key of F Major has one flat, so to play that you would need to flat all your Bs in the piece you're playing.  The scale would be played: F G A Bb C D E F.  While I'm at it, here's the fingerings for the three scales you asked for:

C Major: 1231234 - repeat ad naseum

D Major: 1231234 - ditto

F Major: 1234123 - ditto

That's right hand only, here's left hand:

C Major: 54321321 then 4321321 - repeat ad infinitum

D Major: 54321321 then 4321321-  repeat ad infinitum

F Major:  4321321 - repeat as needed.

Try hands separate before you do anything together.  Good luck!

[puma]

Addendum: The scale of F major in the left hand is the same as the other ones, so:
54321321, THEN launch into your 4321321 fingering.

[timothy42b]

I think it would help you to go rent the video "Sound of Music."

Play the Do, a Deer song over and over until it is stuck in your head.

Then I think it will all make sense, or at least your question will be more clear to you. 

Besides, it's a good movie.  I like the part where she sings with the bird.  "Cheeky!"