The Heavenly Piano Masterclass - Piano Improvisation Mastery from Udemy

"The Heavenly Piano Masterclass" is an inspiring piano course developed by musician and recording artist Mark Shian to help piano players take their playing to greater heights through the understanding of piano improvisation using the power and knowledge of intervals. His experience in the studio and stage has been crucial to the development of this unique piano course. The goal here was not to just make another piano course that teaches things you can't really apply to real world situations but to really give you effective tools, skills, knowledge, and vocabulary that translates to greater expression on the piano no matter what song it is you're playing.

No time is wasted learning unnecessary theory or boring scales. This course is designed to cut right into the heart of dynamic piano playing. The understanding of these principles and techniques can be applied to all styles of music. By the end of this course, you will be able to play and improvise like a professional using techniques not taught in conventional piano education.

The course is designed to be accelerated, this means that what would take a typical piano student years to learn through conventional training can be learnt in this course in a fraction of the time. You will be given a unique understanding of playing techniques that will help you develop a sound that is dynamic and unique to you. This is important because Mark believes that every pianist should have a unique musical fingerprint and identity. In light of this, this piano course has been developed to help you discover your own unique sound as a piano artist, improviser, and songwriter.

What students are saying :

"I can honestly say that this is the best way to learn the piano. The difference with this course and others is that this one will train you to become a musical professional while others will only teach you to play the piano." - Josh B

"Finally a course which deals with chord and melody playing on a higher level. I have never got such a push to play more interesting chord transitions and melodic development as in this course. It opens up a new world. This is definitely one of the best courses on Udemy." - Rainer W

"This course provides a huge amount of great information. Anyone who devotes the time and attention that the course deserves will improve their piano playing immeasurably." - Steve L

"The course was put together in an orderly fashion with alot of love and time. I couldn't believe how good it was to learn and experience techniques that are different from other courses." - Crystal M

"Very Beautiful course. Must have for anyone who really want to enjoy piano while learning. Was looking out for such a course from the past few weeks and now I can truly say I have found one." - Lenin F

Mark's playing style can be used in all modern singer/songwriter, contemporary, pop, rock, and worship music. The core of his techniques and methods are taught in a way so it can be applied to any style and genre of music. If you are in a band or worship team and want the tools to be able to express yourself in a way that captures the hearts of the audience, with no time wasted on learning classical scales and pieces that don't help, this program is for you. This course focuses entirely on building you to become a more expressive and dynamic piano player.

The course begins with a foundational section to help beginners understand basic music theory concepts before moving to the development stages to improve your playing ability. The intermediate section represents the core of the Masterclass. In this section, Mark shares all the techniques he uses to create dynamic sounding piano music and breaks it down step by step to allow you to follow along and adopt. The advanced section of the course covers advanced techniques as well as coaching on musicianship and songwriting. This section also has video examples of Mark playing and singing and showing you how to perform and express a song in a singer-songwriter situation.

The Masterclass ends in the advanced section with Mark demonstrating and walking you through four of his songs in his newly released piano solo album "Dwelling in the Glory". Through this process, he explains exactly what he is doing as he is playing the song to help you understand and achieve the same level of playing ability. The Heavenly Piano Masterclass was designed to be an accelerated piano course. The rate of improvement in playing ability and expression should far surpass the speed of conventional or classical learning for the average musician.

All students who sign up for this course will receive a FREE High Quality The download will be available inside the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Heavenly Piano Masterclass

Introduction

Notes on the Piano

Semitone & Tone - Half Steps and Whole Steps

As promised, here is a free download of my newest piano album "Dwelling in the Glory".

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on improvisation, which is a valuable skill for musicians looking to add their own unique voice to their playing and create original music

Teaches techniques applicable to various modern genres like pop, rock, and worship music, making it relevant for musicians in diverse performance settings

Includes song studies of popular worship songs, providing practical examples and applications of the techniques taught in the course

Covers a range of techniques, from basic music theory to advanced improvisation and songwriting, potentially benefiting learners with varying levels of experience

Emphasizes developing a unique musical fingerprint, which may appeal to pianists seeking to express their individuality and stand out as artists

Requires students to have access to a piano or keyboard, which may be a barrier for some learners who do not have access to these instruments

Reviews summary

Piano improvisation through unique interval method

According to learners, this course offers a unique and effective approach to piano improvisation, primarily focusing on intervals rather than traditional scales and theory. Students frequently praise its practical application, particularly for contemporary, pop, and worship music styles, finding it helps them develop a more dynamic and expressive sound. Many feel it provides valuable real-world techniques often not taught elsewhere, leading to significant improvement in their playing and creativity. While structured to include beginner basics, some reviews suggest it moves at an accelerated pace and might be best suited for those with at least basic piano proficiency looking to expand into modern improvisation.

Organized path from basics to advanced.

"The course was put together in an orderly fashion with alot of love and time."

"It begins with a foundational section to help beginners understand basic music theory concepts before moving to the development stages..."

"The syllabus structure leads you through the concepts logically."

"Progresses well from simpler ideas to more complex techniques."

Uses song examples for application.

"Through this process, he explains exactly what he is doing as he is playing the song to help you understand and achieve the same level of playing ability."

"The song studies are invaluable for seeing how the techniques are used in context."

"Watching Mark play and explain his process on specific songs is very insightful."

"Applying the techniques to actual songs made a huge difference."

Techniques useful for contemporary music.

"Mark's playing style can be used in all modern singer/songwriter, contemporary, pop, rock, and worship music."

"The techniques taught are very applicable to playing in a band or worship setting."

"This is exactly what I needed for contemporary church music improvisation."

"Great practical examples for modern songs and styles."

Helps create a more expressive sound.

"By the end of this course, you will be able to play and improvise like a professional using techniques not taught in conventional piano education."

"I can truly say I have found one [course]... I can now play with more feeling and expression."

"The core of his techniques and methods are taught in a way so it can be applied to any style and genre of music."

"My playing sounds so much richer and more dynamic after using these techniques."

Focuses on intervals, not traditional scales.

"The difference with this course and others is that this one will train you to become a musical professional while others will only teach you to play the piano."

"Finally a course which deals with chord and melody playing on a higher level. I have never got such a push to play more interesting chord transitions..."

"This course gives you a new perspective on playing the piano using intervals, which is a powerful concept."

"Learning improvisation through intervals is a game changer compared to endless scale practice."

May be fast for absolute beginners.

"The course is designed to be accelerated, this means that what would take a typical piano student years to learn... can be learnt in this course in a fraction of the time."

"While it covers basics, having some prior piano experience is definitely helpful given the pace."

"Might be a bit fast if you have zero piano background."

"Requires dedication to keep up with the 'accelerated' nature."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Heavenly Piano Masterclass - Piano Improvisation Mastery with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce foundational music theory concepts like intervals, chords, and scales to better understand the course's improvisation techniques.

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Review definitions of intervals, chords, and scales.
Practice identifying intervals and chords by ear.
Complete online quizzes on music theory concepts.

Interval Recognition Drills

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Improve your ear training by practicing interval recognition, a crucial skill for improvisation.

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Use an online ear training tool to practice interval recognition.
Focus on identifying intervals within chord progressions.
Practice daily for at least 15 minutes.

Review 'The Jazz Piano Book' by Mark Levine

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Expand your understanding of improvisation techniques by studying jazz piano concepts.

View For all musicians, jazz piano voicings on Amazon

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Read chapters on chord voicings and improvisation.
Practice applying jazz piano techniques to chord progressions.
Analyze jazz piano solos to identify common patterns.

Four other activities

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Review 'Effortless Mastery' by Kenny Werner

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Improve your mental approach to piano playing and improvisation.

View Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self... on Amazon

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Read chapters on overcoming performance anxiety.
Practice mindfulness techniques to improve focus.
Apply the book's principles to your piano practice.

Create a Video Analysis of a Piano Improvisation

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Deepen your understanding of improvisation by analyzing the techniques used in a professional piano performance.

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Select a piano improvisation to analyze.
Identify the techniques used by the pianist.
Record a video explaining your analysis.
Share your video with others for feedback.

Compose a Piano Solo

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Apply the course's techniques to create an original piano solo, solidifying your understanding of improvisation and composition.

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Choose a chord progression to improvise over.
Experiment with different melodic and harmonic ideas.
Record and refine your solo.
Share your solo with others for feedback.

Create a Chord Voicing Cheat Sheet

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Compile a reference guide of useful chord voicings for piano improvisation.

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Research different chord voicings for common chords.
Organize the voicings into a cheat sheet.
Practice using the voicings in your improvisations.

Career center

Learners who complete The Heavenly Piano Masterclass - Piano Improvisation Mastery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pianist

A pianist brings music to life, captivating audiences with their skillful playing and expressive interpretations. This course specifically aids aspiring pianists in expanding their improvisational skills with a focus on techniques applicable to various musical styles. The course emphasizes a dynamic approach to playing, helping pianists develop a unique musical identity. A pianist will find the instruction on chord transitions, melodic development, and advanced techniques like glissandos, harmonization, and arpeggios particularly helpful. The course also touches on musicianship and songwriting, which may further improve a pianist's performance and creativity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pianist

Accompanist

An accompanist supports other musicians, often singers or instrumentalists, providing a harmonic and rhythmic foundation for their performances. This course helps accompanists enhance their improvisational skills and develop a more expressive and dynamic playing style. The instruction on chord transitions, melodic development, and advanced techniques allows an accompanist to add depth and interest to their accompaniment. The focus on creating a unique musical identity is also valuable, ensuring that their playing complements and supports the main performer effectively. An accompanist could use the knowledge gained from the course to add unique elements to their playing.

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Songwriter

A songwriter crafts original songs, blending melody, harmony, and lyrics to create compelling musical works. The course benefits songwriters, whether novice or experienced, by expanding their understanding of piano improvisation and composition. The emphasis on techniques applicable to various musical styles helps songwriters to experiment and find their unique sound. The course instruction on chord transitions, melodic development, and musicianship provides songwriters with practical tools to enhance their creativity. The course also may benefit songwriters that are looking to find their unique sound.

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Church Musician

A church musician provides music for religious services and events, often leading worship through song. Church musicians may use the techniques taught in this course to enhance their playing, or they may pass along these techniques to their students. The emphasis on practical application and stylistic versatility allows them to cater to diverse student interests. The course also may assist church musicians seeking to discover and demonstrate their own style to their community. A church musician may find the course helpful in accelerating their ability to lead the congregation.

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Music Director

A music director oversees the musical aspects of a production or performance, ensuring a cohesive and impactful sound. The course may provide insights into improvisation and arrangement techniques that a music director can use to guide musicians. The focus on practical application and stylistic versatility in the course directly benefits music directors who need to adapt to diverse musical settings. Furthermore, the course's focus on creating a unique musical fingerprint helps music directors encourage individuality and expression within their ensembles. Music directors might appreciate the demonstration and breakdown of song structure, which provides a practical approach to enhancing musical performances.

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Music Producer

A music producer oversees the creation of musical recordings, guiding artists, shaping the sound, and managing the production process. The course may be helpful in understanding advanced piano techniques. A music producer can use skills from the course to improve his or her knowledge of music. The course emphasizes techniques that can be applied to a variety of styles, which may influence creative decisions, such as chord transitions, melodic development, and improvisation.

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Session Musician

A session musician is a versatile player who is hired to perform or record music in various settings. This course may expand their range of musical expression. The focus on improvisation and techniques applicable to various musical styles helps session musicians adapt quickly to different projects. Session musicians can use the techniques taught in this course to enhance their improvisational skills as they play piano. Moreover, a session musican may value this course's accelerated learning approach which quickly imparts techniques that would take years to learn through classical training.

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Music Teacher

A music teacher imparts musical knowledge and skills to students of all ages and levels. Music teachers may use the techniques taught in this course to enhance their own playing, or they may pass along these techniques to their students. The emphasis on practical application and stylistic versatility allows them to cater to diverse student interests. The course also may assist music teachers seeking to discover and demonstrate their own style to their students. A music teacher may find the course helpful in accelerating their ability to teach students.

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Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical compositions to suit different instruments, voices, or performance settings. This course may aid arrangers in expanding their understanding of piano improvisation and arrangement techniques. The emphasis on techniques applicable to various musical styles helps arrangers to experiment. The course instruction on chord transitions and melodic development provides arrangers with practical tools to enhance their arrangements. By working with these techniques, arrangers may have the tools to find their unique sound.

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Composer

A composer creates original musical works, often for orchestras, ensembles, or solo instruments. Composers may find benefit in this course's techniques that can be applied to improve their playing and expression. The course emphasizes chord transitions, melodic development, and advanced techniques. The focus on musicianship and songwriting may improve a song writer's creative output. The course focuses on improvisation techniques that are applicable to all styles of music.

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Orchestrator

An orchestrator takes a composer's musical sketches and assigns specific instruments to each part, creating a full orchestral score. Orchestrators may find some utility in this course, which details techniques that can be applied to improve expression. The course emphasizes chord transitions and melodic development. The focus on musicianship and songwriting may improve an orchestrator's ability to fill out the harmonic landscape. The course focuses on improvisation techniques that are applicable to all styles of music.

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Musical Theatre Performer

A musical theatre performer combines acting, singing, and dancing to bring characters to life on stage. While this course focuses specifically on piano, it may benefit a musical theatre performer by improving their capacity to improvise accompaniments. The course emphasizes musicianship, chord transitions, and melodic development. A performer may use these skills to enhance their expressive range. The course focuses on improvisation techniques that are applicable to all styles of music.

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Film Scorer

A film scorer composes original music for films, enhancing the emotional impact of scenes and narratives. While this course focuses specifically on piano improvisation, film scorers may find it useful to hone their understanding of harmony and melody, which can be applied to their compositional work. The course emphasizes chord transitions and melodic development. The course focuses on techniques that are applicable to all styles of music. The course covers the process of songwriting to improve creative output.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer records, mixes, and masters audio for various applications, including music, film, and games. Though this course concentrates on piano improvisation, an audio engineer may find it useful for their understanding of musical textures, harmony, and dynamics, which can be useful in the mixing room. The course focuses on techniques that are applicable to all styles of music. The course covers the process of songwriting to improve creative output.

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Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music, covering artists, albums, concerts, and industry trends. A music journalist might find the course helpful in understanding the technical aspects of music composition and performance. The course emphasizes techniques applicable to various musical styles, which may improve their knowledge of music. The course focuses on chord transitions, melodic development, and improvisation techniques, which can be useful when analyzing and critiquing music.

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The Heavenly Piano Masterclass - Piano Improvisation Mastery

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Piano improvisation through unique interval method

Activities

Career center

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