Buy a keyboard note chart that you can use to look at while you are memorizing the notes. A key chart is very important when starting, particularly as you move to slightly more advanced skills while still learning the keyboard layout.
Place gum-free stickers marked with the names of the notes on each key. That way you do not have to fully rely on your key chart when you are learning where to put your fingers. Remove the stickers once you know where the keys are because they can become a crutch once you have advanced past that point.
Learn the most commonly played scales. The most commonly played scales include the major scale, minor scale, pentatonic scale, minor pentatonic scale and the blues scale. These are used regularly in pop, rock, jazz, country, R&B and many other types of music. Having a basic working knowledge of common scales will help you to understand the way songs and piano parts are composed, which can make playing easier. Many players, both beginners and advanced players, find it helpful to buy a book of scales that illustrates the finger positions of each one. However, free resources are available on the Internet and at public libraries.
Learn the most commonly played piano chords. Start with the major chords and minor chords before moving on to more complex, less common chords, such as dominant sevenths, major sevenths, suspended and diminished chords. Purchasing a chord book with some basic chord theory is also helpful because it will help you understand the way chords work to form songs.
Practice at least one hour per day when you are learning to play. Although it may seem like a cliché, practice really does help to make perfect when learning an instrument. A large part of learning to play the piano well is simply repetition and muscle memory, so regular practice is essential.