RUNdamentals: The Essential Modern Piano Runs Guide from Udemy

Spice up your playing with impressive modern piano runs.

This course teaches the intermediate pianist how to execute essential piano runs and fills. These are the core piano runs and fills every pianist should know.

I haven't seen a lot of material out there on this topic. A lot of people learn runs from watching other pianists play. People also invent their own runs a lot of the time.

This course goes over what I think are the "core" and "essential" piano runs that every pianist should have in their arsenal.

We go over the the different types of glissando runs, the core one handed, two handed, and 1.5 handed runs, and the interval and chordal runs.

I show you examples of how I use these runs in a songs. Each lecture takes you to a different type of run, and shows you the mechanics of that run.

You should take this course if you want to spice up your playing with fun, flashy runs.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Play professional modern piano runs and fills
Develop a core of go to piano runs and fills

Understand how runs and fills work and where to use them

Play professional modern piano runs and fills
Develop a core of go to piano runs and fills
Understand how runs and fills work and where to use them

Syllabus

Thank You

Introduction

Welcome

The Glissando Runs

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches core piano runs and fills, which are essential techniques for intermediate pianists looking to enhance their playing and add flair to their performances

Explores glissando runs, basic runs, extension runs, and chordal runs, providing a comprehensive overview of various run techniques for pianists

Develops a core set of piano runs and fills, which allows pianists to have a readily available arsenal of techniques to use in their playing

Examines how runs and fills work and where to use them, which provides pianists with a deeper understanding of how to effectively incorporate these techniques into their music

Features examples of how to use runs in songs, which offers practical application and context for learning these techniques

Covers advanced major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7 runs, which may require a solid foundation in music theory and piano technique

Reviews summary

Essential modern piano runs guide

According to learners, RUNdamentals offers a highly practical and unique approach to learning essential piano runs and fills. Many find the instructor's explanations clear and effective, making complex techniques understandable. The course is praised for providing a solid foundation and a core set of go-to runs that can immediately spice up playing. While the material is well-received overall, some intermediate players feel certain sections could benefit from more advanced variations or greater depth.

Generally well-suited for the target level.

"Felt this course was well-pitched for intermediate players."

"Perfect level for someone who already knows chords and scales but wants more."

"Challenging enough to be interesting but not overwhelming."

Provides a strong base of core runs.

"Gave me a really solid foundation in essential modern runs."

"Learned the core runs every modern pianist should know."

"Provides the fundamental runs needed to build upon."

Instructor explains mechanics clearly.

"The mechanics of each run were broken down really well."

"I found the explanations easy to follow and the examples helpful."

"Instructor makes it easy to understand how to execute the runs properly."

Teaches runs that are immediately useful.

"These runs sound great and are really practical to use in songs."

"I started incorporating these runs into my playing right away."

"The course delivers on teaching go-to runs that enhance performance."

Focuses on piano runs, a niche topic.

"Finally, a course specifically on runs! It's hard to find good material on this."

"This is such a unique course topic. I haven't seen anything like it."

"Appreciated finding a course dedicated solely to essential piano runs and fills."

Could include more advanced variations.

"As an intermediate player, I wished there were more advanced variations shown."

"Some sections felt a bit basic; more depth would be great."

"Could benefit from expanding on variations for different musical contexts."

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 RUNdamentals: The Essential Modern Piano Runs Guide with these activities:

Review 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'

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Reviewing basic piano techniques will help improve finger dexterity and coordination, which are essential for playing runs smoothly.

View Melania on Amazon

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Review basic hand positions.
Practice scales and chords.
Play simple melodies.

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reviewing basic music theory concepts like scales, chords, and harmony will provide a solid foundation for understanding the construction and application of piano runs.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review scales and key signatures.
Study basic chord construction.
Practice identifying intervals.

Practice Scales and Arpeggios

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Practicing scales and arpeggios in all keys will improve finger dexterity and familiarity with the keyboard, essential for executing runs smoothly.

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Practice major and minor scales.
Practice major and minor arpeggios.
Increase tempo gradually.

Four other activities

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Analyze Piano Runs in Popular Songs

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Analyzing how professional pianists use runs in popular songs will provide inspiration and insight into their application in different musical contexts.

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Transcribe piano runs from recordings.
Identify the scales and chords used.
Analyze the rhythmic patterns.

Review 'The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences'

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Reviewing scales, chords, and arpeggios will help improve finger dexterity and coordination, which are essential for playing runs smoothly.

View Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences - Complete... on Amazon

Show steps

Review major and minor scales.
Practice major and minor chords.
Practice arpeggios in all keys.

Compose a Short Piece Featuring Runs

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Composing a short piece that incorporates the learned runs will solidify understanding and encourage creative application of the techniques.

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Choose a key and tempo.
Incorporate different types of runs.
Record and evaluate the performance.

Create a Piano Run Library

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Creating a personal library of piano runs will help you internalize the techniques and develop your own unique style.

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Collect examples of piano runs.
Transcribe and analyze the runs.
Practice and adapt the runs.
Organize the runs into a library.

Career center

Learners who complete RUNdamentals: The Essential Modern Piano Runs Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pianist

A pianist needs a diverse set of skills, and this course helps them add to their arsenal of techniques. This course focuses on modern piano runs, teaching intermediate pianists how to execute these essential fills. The course covers different types of glissando runs, one handed runs, two handed runs, and other interval and chordal runs. A professional pianist frequently needs to improvise parts and fill sections. This course helps build a foundation for this type of work. Learning how runs and fills work can also help improve a pianist's versatility and creativity to add to their performances. The course helps pianists learn popular shapes and sounds that they can incorporate into their own playing. A pianist will benefit greatly from this course for learning the mechanics of many useful modern runs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pianist

Piano Instructor

A piano instructor must be able to demonstrate and teach various techniques to their students. This course can help prepare them with modern runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, one, two, and 1.5 handed runs, and other types of interval and chordal runs. A piano instructor should have mastery of a wide variety of techniques. If the instructor wants to teach more contemporary styles, this course is particularly useful. It goes over the mechanics of many useful modern runs, as well as their popular applications. This course can also help piano instructors improve their own playing and inspire them to create exercises for their students. The instructor can learn ways to incorporate runs and fills into their instruction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Piano Instructor

Session Musician

A session musician is often asked to quickly learn and perform new music. This course will be immensely helpful, as it focuses on modern piano runs and fills essential for today's music. Session musicians need to be highly versatile, and this course helps build that versatility. The course covers a variety of runs, including glissando, and one, two, and 1.5 handed runs. Additionally it shows how to work with interval and chordal runs. It shows examples of how to use these runs in songs, which will be immediately helpful to a session musician. In particular the course provides core piano runs and fills, which are useful for session work. This course can help a session musician develop a core of go-to runs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Music Arranger

A music arranger decides how a song will be presented. This may include adding fills, solos, and ornamentation. This course helps someone wanting to be a music arranger by training them in professional modern piano runs and fills. The course covers different types of glissando, single, double and 1.5 handed runs; and interval and chordal runs. It also discusses the mechanics of these runs. A good music arranger needs a wide vocabulary of techniques. This course provides a foundation for this vocabulary in a contemporary context. A music arranger will find this course helpful to add dynamic ornamentation to written scores, and to gain insight into how to write good piano parts. It shows examples of how to use runs in songs, which inspires musical writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Accompanist

An accompanist works with other musicians or singers, and they often do so in a spontaneous way. This course will be useful because it teaches piano runs and fills. It covers glissando runs, single, double, and 1.5 handed runs, and also explores interval and chordal runs. An accompanist needs to be able to fill space and use musical ornamentation. The course discusses how they work and where to use them. It also provides a core of go to piano runs and fills. This course may help an accompanist to add an extra dimension to their playing. The course provides specific, essential runs, which an accompanist can use in a wide variety of contexts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accompanist

Musical Director

A musical director is responsible for the overall sound and performance of a musical group or production. This course may be useful for the musical director's knowledge of piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, single, double, and 1.5 handed runs. It also handles interval and chordal runs. A musical director needs to have a strong understanding of all of the musical elements at play. A deeper understading of piano runs and fills will allow them to make decisions about what is appropriate for any given musical moment. This course shows how to use runs in songs. It can help inform decisions about stylistic choices in music production. This allows the director to communicate more effectively with their musicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Director

Composer

A composer creates original musical works. This course may be useful for a composer because it focuses on modern piano runs and fills. The course covers many different kinds of runs, and this could be an inspiration to a composer. The course covers glissando runs, one, two, and 1.5 handed runs. It also explores interval and chordal runs. It also gives examples of their use. Understanding how runs work will help the composer write more interesting and dynamic piano parts. This course can help increase a composer's vocabulary. It will help improve a piano composer's writing, and it may be useful for any composer who wishes to write works that incorporate piano.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Songwriter

A songwriter creates original songs, often playing piano or another instrument through the process. This course may be useful for a songwriter because it teaches modern piano runs and fills. The course covers many types of runs that may inspire the creative process. The course covers glissando, and one, two, and 1.5 handed runs. A songwriter who plays piano may find that this course provides concrete and useful techniques that they can incorporate into their work. This course may also serve as an inspiration to write better piano parts. The course gives examples of specific runs and their applications in songs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Orchestrator

An orchestrator takes a musical idea and assigns it to orchestral instruments. This course may be helpful to an orchestrator because it covers core piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando, and one, two, and 1.5 handed runs. It also includes interval and chordal runs. An orchestrator should understand the techniques used by many instruments. This course covers a diverse vocabulary of techniques, demonstrating how runs are used. It shows examples of how to use runs in songs. This knowledge may be beneficial when making decisions about how a piano part can be represented by other instruments. This course will help an orchestrator develop a better understanding of effective piano techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestrator

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the creation of a recording, and they often have some part in the performance and arrangement. This course may be helpful to a music producer because it teaches specific modern piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, one, two, and 1.5 handed runs. It also discusses interval and chordal runs. A music producer needs a strong understanding of many musical elements. Understanding the capabilities of the piano is essential. This course offers specific techniques that may be beneficial to a music producer. It may be useful to help a producer effectively communicate with pianists and arrangers. It shows examples of how to use runs in songs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Audio Engineer

An audio engineer records and prepares audio for a variety of applications. This course may be helpful to an audio engineer that often works with piano. This course teaches modern piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, as well as single, double and 1.5 handed runs. It also shows interval and chordal runs. An audio engineer should have a deep understanding of a diverse range of instruments. Understanding the techniques used by musicians is important to provide good recordings. This course may help the audio engineer better understand the techniques being employed by pianists. It will help them better understand the sounds created by the piano player. This can inform decisions about which microphones to use and how to process the recorded signal.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music and musical activities to help people who are struggling with a variety of issues. This course may be helpful to a music therapist that uses piano as a tool. This course teaches modern piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, single, double and 1.5 handed runs. It also explores interval and chordal runs. A music therapist needs to have mastery of an instrument and be able to use it in creative ways. This course may help the therapist add to their knowledge base. It gives examples of how to use runs in songs, and this may inspire them to create new musical activities. This course may also help them develop their improvisational skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Video Game Designer

A video game designer creates engaging and immersive experiences, which includes designing the sounds and music that are used in the game. This course may be helpful to the video game designer who wishes to incorporate piano sounds. This course teaches modern piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, single, double, and 1.5 handed runs. It also covers interval and chordal runs. A video game designer often needs a broad range of knowledge. The examples given in the course may be useful in creating a musical soundscape. This course can serve to inspire the creation of new musical themes and motifs. The course shows examples of how runs are used in songs, allowing the game designer insights into how the piano can play a role in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Film Composer

A film composer writes music for films. While a film composer may or may not play piano themselves, they may still find this course useful if they are to write piano music for their score. This course teaches modern piano runs and fills. It goes over glissando, and single, double and 1.5 handed runs. It also explores interval and chordal runs. The film composer needs to have mastery of many instruments. Understanding the techniques of these instruments is important. This course offers specific and essential piano techniques. This course may help them write more compelling piano parts. It shows how to use runs in songs. This course gives unique insight into what is possible on the piano.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Composer

A disc jockey, or DJ, mixes songs together, often in a live setting. Although a lot of electronic music is used, other kinds of music are often incorporated. This course may be useful for the DJ who wishes to include piano. This course teaches modern piano runs and fills. The course covers glissando runs, single, double and 1.5 handed runs. It also explores interval and chordal runs. A DJ needs to have an understanding of a wide range of music and techniques. This course can serve as a way to explore new sonic possiblities. The course shows examples of how to use runs in songs, which may inspire them to mix piano into their sets. The course may help the DJ find new ways to enrich their music.

See salaries and explore the career path for DJ

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in RUNdamentals: The Essential Modern Piano Runs Guide.

Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences - Complete Book

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Comprehensive resource for scales, chords, arpeggios, and cadences in all keys. It useful reference tool for pianists who want to expand their knowledge of music theory and improve their technique. It is commonly used by intermediate and advanced piano students. It provides a systematic approach to learning scales and chords and includes exercises for developing finger dexterity and coordination.

Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences - Complete...

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RUNdamentals

The Essential Modern Piano Runs Guide

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Essential modern piano runs guide

Activities

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