Piano Techniques for Modern Music from Coursera

If you have always dreamed of playing the piano or keyboard but did not know where to start, this is the course for you. This course will take you through the fundamental skills necessary to build your playing capability quickly and healthily. In addition to the fundamentals, you will learn from exercises and examples from popular music so that you can start playing in multiple styles. You will start by focusing on posture, breathing, movement, and sound production that will help you strengthen your finger independence and control over dynamics, phrasing, articulation, tempo, and pulse.

At the end of this course, you will have all of the tools necessary to build a dependable piano technique for performing contemporary music. You will be able to identify common chord progressions used in contemporary music and learn how to play both as a soloist and as an ensemble member. Finally, you will be able to improvise over common chord progressions in various contemporary music settings.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Piano Techniques for Modern Music

Welcome to Piano Techniques for Modern Music! Before you begin, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Posture and Hand Position

In this first lesson, we will begin with the fundamentals of healthy piano playing, starting with proper posture and breathing, finger placement and hand position, before moving on to the C major scale and popular cadences. We will begin to build a healthy practice routine and have some fun with improvisation.

Lesson 2: Finger and Arm Technique

In lesson 2, we will start to add greater finger independence to our practice and learn to shift our hands across the keyboard in order to play a wider range of notes with minimal tension in our hands and arms. We will also look at expanding our dynamic range on the piano and applying these techniques to several contemporary music examples.

Lesson 3: Wrist Technique and Chord Tones

In lesson 3, we will begin to advance our harmonic techniques by expanding our chord knowledge and increasing our playing speed. We will also identify proper wrist technique to minimize tension while playing. We will continue to play through popular tunes and focus on building hand independence.

Lesson 4: Pedal Technique

In lesson 4, we will combine all of the hand techniques we have been developing with pedaling. This will require coordinating our hands and feet. We will practice these techniques using classical music and contemporary tunes. We will also identify what pedaling techniques are common in contemporary music and how to develop virtuosity on the piano. We'll finish by discussing how to organize practice time to learn difficult pieces and why using a practice journal and recording practice session can lead to bigger improvements at a faster rate.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers a comprehensive study of contemporary piano playing

Builds a strong foundation for beginners

Teaches in-demand skills that are highly relevant to industry

Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work

Takes a creative approach to a well-known topic

Instructors provide clear and engaging instruction

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 Piano Techniques for Modern Music with these activities:

Piano for Dummies

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Piano for Dummies is a great companion resource for beginners to learn more about piano playing techniques and music theory

View Piano & Keyboard All-in-One For Dummies (For... on Amazon

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Read a chapter or section of the book before each class to introduce new concepts or reinforce what you're learning in the course
Use the book as a reference to look up specific techniques or music theory concepts as needed

Create a Practice Plan

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Take an active role in customizing your learning experience by creating a practice plan that suits your specific needs

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Identify the specific areas you want to improve on
Set realistic goals and milestones
Create a schedule that includes dedicated practice time

Online Piano Tutorials

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Reinforce concepts by following along with piano tutorials

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Identify a piano tutorial that covers a specific technique or concept related to the course material
Focus on one tutorial at a time and practice the techniques and exercises provided
Review the tutorial regularly to reinforce your learning

Five other activities

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Finger Exercises

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Start each practice session with finger exercises to loosen and warm up fingers and hands

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Practice scales in all major and minor keys to improve finger dexterity and finger independence
Perform finger exercises that focus on strengthening the weaker fingers and improving overall hand coordination and finger independence
Stretch your fingers and work on maintaining proper finger position

Chord Exercises

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Chord exercises allow you to strengthen your fingers and improve your understanding of music theory

Browse courses on Chord Progressions

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Practice different chord shapes and inversions
Experiment with different chord progressions to improve your harmonic vocabulary
Use a metronome to improve your rhythm and timing

Practice Your Favorite Song

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Playing your favorite song will give you a sense of accomplishment and accomplishment

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Choose a song that you enjoy and would like to learn to play
Find the sheet music or chords for the song online or in a book
Practice the song regularly, focusing on accuracy and rhythm

Demo Video of Playing a Song

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Demonstrating a piece to someone else will challenge you to stay focused and improve your overall discipline

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Practice a piece of music or song until you can play it proficiently
Record yourself performing and playing a piece on video
Share your video with friends, family, or an instructor for feedback on your technique and musicality

Compose a Short Melody

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Compose a short melody to apply your musical and technical knowledge and test your creativity

Browse courses on Music Composition

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Understand the basic principles of music theory, such as scales, chords, and rhythm
Experiment with different chord progressions to identify which ones sound good together
Practice writing a simple melody that is both catchy and musically interesting

Career center

Learners who complete Piano Techniques for Modern Music will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Arts Administrator

Arts administrators manage the business and operations of arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and orchestras. They work with staff, artists, and patrons to ensure that arts organizations run smoothly and effectively. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful arts administrator. You will learn the fundamentals of arts administration, including how to manage budgets, plan events, and market arts organizations. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as an arts administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Musician

Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments, including the piano. They may play solo or as part of a group, and they may perform in a variety of settings, such as concerts, recitals, and religious services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful musician. You will learn the fundamentals of piano playing, including proper posture, breathing, and hand position. You will also learn how to read music, play chords, and improvise. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a musician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Music Producer

Music producers oversee the recording and production of music. They work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to create the final product. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music producer. You will learn the fundamentals of music production, including recording, mixing, and mastering. You will also learn how to work with musicians and other professionals to create a cohesive and polished product. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music producer.

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Music Director

Music directors lead and conduct musical ensembles, such as orchestras, bands, and choirs. They are responsible for selecting music, preparing rehearsals, and conducting performances. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music director. You will learn the fundamentals of music directing, including how to lead an ensemble, interpret music, and communicate with musicians. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Librarian

Music librarians organize and maintain music collections in libraries and archives. They work with researchers, musicians, and other patrons to provide access to music materials. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music librarian. You will learn the fundamentals of music librarianship, including how to catalog and organize music materials, provide reference services, and promote music collections. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music librarian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Critic

Music critics write and publish reviews of musical performances and recordings. They work for a variety of publications, such as newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music critic. You will learn the fundamentals of music criticism, including how to write clear and concise reviews, analyze musical performances, and research music-related topics. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music critic.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with people of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities, illnesses, or injuries. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music therapist. You will learn the fundamentals of music therapy, including how to use music to help people relax, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music therapist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Journalist

Music journalists write about music for a variety of publications, such as newspapers, magazines, and websites. They interview musicians, review concerts and recordings, and write feature articles about music-related topics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music journalist. You will learn the fundamentals of music journalism, including how to write clear and concise articles, interview musicians, and research music-related topics. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music journalist.

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Music Teacher

Music teachers teach students how to play music on a variety of instruments, including the piano. They may work in schools, private studios, or community centers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music teacher. You will learn the fundamentals of piano playing, including proper posture, breathing, and hand position. You will also learn how to teach music to students of all ages and levels. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music teacher.

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Music Professor

Music professors teach music at colleges and universities. They teach a variety of courses, including music theory, music history, and music performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music professor. You will learn the fundamentals of music education, including how to teach music theory, music history, and music performance. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music professor.

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Music Agent

Music agents represent musicians and help them negotiate contracts, book tours, and promote their careers. They work with a variety of clients, including solo artists, bands, and orchestras. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music agent. You will learn the fundamentals of music agency, including how to negotiate contracts, book tours, and promote artists. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music agent.

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Music Publisher

Music publishers acquire and publish musical compositions. They work with composers, songwriters, and arrangers to protect their copyrights and promote their work. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful music publisher. You will learn the fundamentals of music publishing, including how to acquire and publish musical compositions, negotiate contracts, and promote music. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a music publisher.

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Sound Engineer

Sound engineers design, install, and maintain sound systems. They work in a variety of settings, such as concert halls, recording studios, and theaters. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful sound engineer. You will learn the fundamentals of sound engineering, including how to design and install sound systems, mix sound, and troubleshoot problems. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a sound engineer.

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Piano Tuner

Piano tuners tune and repair pianos. They use a variety of tools and techniques to ensure that pianos are in good working order and sound their best. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful piano tuner. You will learn the fundamentals of piano tuning, including how to use tuning forks, hammers, and other tools. You will also learn how to diagnose and repair common piano problems. This course can help you build a strong foundation for a career as a piano tuner.

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