Identify the white keys of the piano. White keys represent the natural notes of the keyboard. Each note value is represent by a letter. From left to right, these notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The white key immediately following G is A, and the series repeats.
Observe the black keys of the keyboard. The black keys of the piano keyboard are arranged in alternating sets of two and three. Black keys represent flat or sharp values of adjacent white keys. For example, the black key immediately to the right of the white A key represent A sharp, notated as A#. This very same black key is immediately to the left of the white B key. For this reason, the black key representing A# also represents B flat, notated as Bb.
Find Middle C. The "home note" of the piano keyboard is Middle C. C is always represented by the white key immediately to the left of the two-set of black keys. On a stand piano keyboard, Middle C is the fourth C key from the far left of the keyboard. Remember, the notes are arranged sequentially, in an ascending fashion. The C above Middle C is one octave above middle C. The C below Middle C is one octave below Middle C, and so forth.
Learn the C major scale. The C major scale is the easiest scale to play on a piano keyboard. This is due to the fact that it includes only white keys. To play the C scale, simply play each white key, starting with C, until you reach the next C, ascending or descending on the keyboard. Sing the letter value of each note as you play it. An ascending C major scale will include the note values C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
Think of each white key's note value in relation to a black key. For example, the F key is found immediately to the left of the set of three black keys. The B key is found immediately to the right of this same three-set of black keys. The D key is located in the middle of the two-set of black keys. These note locations should be memorized and internalized; you shouldn't have to count from C when you want to find a specific note.