We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Oluwajoba Odesanya

Here Is the complete Course Curriculum

Piano Fundamentals

Read more

Here Is the complete Course Curriculum

Piano Fundamentals

  • Introduction

  • What Is A Piano

  • Differences Between Piano, Organ & Keyboard

  • The Keys of The Piano

  • Note Names

  • How To Quickly Find Notes

  • Piano/Keyboard Terminologies

  • Intervals & Distances

  • The Tonic Solfa

  • Scales: Major, Minor, Relative Minor

  • Introduction to Number System

  • Full Summary

  • Notes Names Practice

  • Notes Identification Practice - Tones

  • Notes Identification Practice - Semitones

  • Major Scale Practice + Other Keys Major Scale Practice

Finger Exercises For Beginners

  • Foundational Finger Exercises

  • Advanced Finger Exercises

  • Chordal Finger Exercises

  • Counter Motion Finger Exercises

  • Finger Exercises In All Keys

Ear Training For Beginner Piano Students

  • Tonic Solfeggio Ear Training

  • Notes Identification Practice And Exercises

  • Interesting Ways To Practice The Major Scale

  • Chord Identification Ear Training

  • Identifying Basic Chords By Ear

  • Identifying Chord Progressions

    • Identifying 1-4-5, 1-6-2-5-1 Chord Progressions

If you want to learn how to play the Piano by ear, then this is the course you need.

This course is made up of 3 chapters and has been specially designed to give you a very SOLID Piano foundation if you want to learn how to play the Piano by ear.

This course focusses on ear training approach to help you to really learn how to play the Piano without the need to read notes and learn so much theory.

This course focusses on the ONLY theory that you need to learn the Piano by ear.

Chapter One - Piano Fundamentals

This chapter focuses on helping you to know your keyboard or Piano by heart. You will learn note names, major scale, learn how to quickly find / identify Piano notes and much more.

Chapter Two - Finger Exercises

The next level after knowing your keyboard or Piano is to start training your fingers to be able to effectively play notes and chords. This chapter has various exercises and more than enough practice exercises and examples to help train your fingers, make them strong and give you speed, dexterity, accuracy and stability on the Piano.

Chapter Three - Ear Training

If you want to learn how to play the Piano by ear, then it is important to have well trained ears. At the heart of ear training, you have the tonic solfeggio system which needs to be learned and mastered. This chapter will help you to master the tonic solfeggio system and help you to have well-trained ears.

This chapter comes with a lot of practice exercises and examples to help you get well-trained ears.

This chapter will help you to master the tonic solfege without even touching your keyboard.

It will also help you understand chords and basic chord progressions without having to play anything on the Piano

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to play the piano by ear
  • Learn how to quickly find notes
  • Learn piano terminologies
  • Learn tonic solfege
  • Learn the number system
  • Practice notes names
  • Practice major scale exercises
  • Learn how to find major scale in all 12 keys
  • Learn and practice finger exercises for beginners
  • Finger exercises for hand independence
  • Learn finger exercises in all 12 keys
  • Master the solfeggio system
  • Ear training exercises for notes
  • Chordal ear training exercises

Syllabus

Piano Foundation Chapter One
Chapter Overview
Chapter 1 Introduction
What Is a Piano
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on ear training, which can be a helpful approach for those who prefer learning by sound rather than relying solely on sheet music
Develops finger exercises in all keys, which builds dexterity and muscle memory across the entire range of the piano
Teaches the tonic solfege system, which is a foundational skill for ear training and understanding musical relationships
Includes exercises for identifying chord progressions, which is a practical skill for playing by ear and improvising
Requires learners to master the tonic solfege system, which may be challenging for those without prior musical experience
Covers finger exercises, but learners will need access to a piano or keyboard to fully benefit from the practical components

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Beginner piano playing by ear

According to students, this course offers a solid foundation for beginners seeking to learn piano by ear without focusing on traditional sheet music. Many find this approach effective and appreciate the clear fundamentals and well-designed finger exercises which help build essential skills. The structure is logical and the pace is suitable for newcomers. While the ear training module is central and found effective by many, some learners found it challenging and felt they needed more guidance or practice examples. A few mentioned minor audio quality issues. Overall, it's considered a good starting point for this specific learning method.
Central approach, avoids sheet music.
"This course is fantastic for anyone wanting to learn piano without sheet music."
"This by-ear approach clicked instantly."
"A good introduction to playing piano by ear. It covers the essential fundamentals and the ear training is a unique approach."
Improves speed, dexterity, and confidence.
"The finger exercises really improved my speed and dexterity."
"Finger exercises were tough but rewarding."
"Finger exercises are crucial and covered well."
Suitable pace and content for newcomers.
"The pace is just right for a beginner."
"Highly recommend for beginners."
"Excellent course for beginners! It breaks down the concepts well..."
Some lessons have minor audio problems.
"The audio quality in some lessons wasn't the best."
"Some lessons had minor audio issues."
Ear training may require external work/examples.
"...while useful, it requires significant personal practice outside the videos."
"I wish there were more real-world examples or songs to practice with."
"I struggled greatly with the ear training, and without the sheet music, I felt lost."
Effective for some, difficult for others.
"Some parts of the ear training felt a bit challenging..."
"I found the ear training section quite difficult to follow."
"I struggled greatly with the ear training..."

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 Foundation Course Level 1 - Getting Started On Piano with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Reviewing basic music theory concepts like scales, intervals, and chords will provide a solid foundation for understanding the course material.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review the definition of intervals and their qualities.
  • Practice identifying intervals by ear.
  • Review the construction of major and minor scales.
Create a Piano Practice Log
Creating a practice log will help you track your progress and identify areas where you need to focus your efforts.
Show steps
  • Create a spreadsheet or document to record your practice sessions.
  • Include the date, time, and duration of each session.
  • Note the specific exercises or pieces you practiced.
  • Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Practice Identifying Notes on the Piano
Practicing note identification on the piano keyboard will improve your familiarity with the instrument and speed up your learning process.
Show steps
  • Use online piano keyboard simulators to practice identifying notes.
  • Set a timer and try to identify as many notes as possible in a given time.
  • Focus on identifying notes in different octaves.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore Online Piano Tutorials
Following online piano tutorials can provide alternative explanations and demonstrations of the concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on specific topics covered in the course, such as scales or chords.
  • Follow along with the tutorials on your own piano or keyboard.
  • Take notes on any new insights or techniques you learn.
Read 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'
Reading a beginner piano course book can provide a more structured and comprehensive learning experience.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course'.
  • Work through the lessons in the book, focusing on the fundamentals.
  • Practice the exercises and pieces in the book regularly.
Read 'Piano For Dummies'
Reading a beginner-friendly piano book can provide a more accessible and less intimidating introduction to the instrument.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Piano For Dummies'.
  • Read through the book, focusing on the chapters that cover the basics.
  • Try out the exercises and tips provided in the book.
Learn a Simple Song by Ear
Learning a simple song by ear will reinforce your ear training skills and help you apply the concepts learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple song that you enjoy listening to.
  • Listen to the song repeatedly and try to identify the melody and chords.
  • Use your piano to find the notes and chords that match the song.
  • Practice playing the song until you can play it smoothly and accurately.

Career center

Learners who complete Piano Foundation Course Level 1 - Getting Started On Piano will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments in a band or orchestra. If you are striving to become a keyboardist, this Piano Foundation course may be a helpful first step. It covers the foundational elements such as note names, scales, and finger exercises, which are essential to playing the instrument. The training in ear training, including tonic solfege and chord identification, is extremely beneficial for a keyboardist who needs to understand musical structure. Playing with a band or orchestra requires a strong foundational understanding of music, which this course may help provide. A keyboardist would find this course to be useful.
Piano Teacher
A piano teacher instructs students in piano playing technique and music theory. This course is a useful step toward becoming a piano teacher, as it builds a strong foundation in piano fundamentals. The course covers important aspects like note names, intervals, scales, and finger exercises, which are all necessary for teaching this instrument. The ear training and tonic solfege sections of this course are especially helpful, developing skills necessary for both learning and teaching piano effectively. The course's focus on ear training by understanding chord progressions also equips a teacher with techniques that can be taught to students. A piano teacher would find this course very helpful.
Accompanist
An accompanist is a musician who plays in support of another musician or group. This Piano Foundation course may be a helpful for a person seeking a role as an accompanist. The course provides a strong start in understanding piano fundamentals. The finger exercises and ear training exercises, with a focus on chord progressions, covered in this course help lay a good foundation for an accompanist. Learning to quickly identify notes and scales, which is part of this course, is essential to playing along with other musicians. An accompanist could benefit from this course's ear training approach to music theory, as it will help them understand harmonies and respond effectively while playing with other musicians.
Session Musician
A session musician is a skilled instrumentalist who is hired on a project basis to play on recordings or live performances. This Piano Foundation course can help if you want to be a session musician by giving a basic understanding of foundational piano skills. The finger exercises and practical training exercises covered in the course will be especially useful in this field. This course also covers scales and intervals, which greatly contribute to harmonic understanding. The ear training element, teaching you to identify notes and chord progressions by ear, is beneficial for working with other musicians in a live or studio setting. A session musician may find learning to quickly identify notes and understand chord progressions to be particularly valuable.
Arranger
An arranger takes an existing piece of music and adapts it for a different instrument or ensemble. A piano foundation provides an understanding of harmony and melody, which may be useful to an arranger. This course's fundamental approach to the piano includes essential theory, such as note names, intervals, and scales, providing a base for the more creative aspects of arranging. Additionally, the course's emphasis on ear training, notably identifying chords and progressions by ear, helps an arranger understand harmony. Because this course trains you in the tonic solfeggio, you may find it particularly useful for understanding music theory. An individual who wants to become an arranger may find this course useful.
Music Educator
A music educator teaches music in schools or private settings. This Piano Foundation course may provide a useful foundation for a music educator by developing fundamental piano skills. This course's material on music theory, including note names, scales, and intervals, is a core part of a music educator’s curriculum. The ear training included in this course will help in understanding music harmony and chord progressions. The exercises in this course will help develop proficiency on the piano, and this is a useful quality for a music educator. This foundational course may be useful to a music educator.
Worship Leader
A worship leader guides a congregation in singing and music during religious services. If you are considering becoming a worship leader, this Piano Foundation course may help you develop skills in music and piano fundamentals. This course's material on note names, scales, and intervals lays the foundation for musical understanding. The ear training element and its focus on identifying chord progressions is helpful for a worship leader. The finger exercises may also help with practical ability on the piano. A worship leader may find this course to be useful in acquiring a fundamental understanding of piano playing.
Choir Director
A choir director leads and coordinates musical performances by a choir. This Piano Foundation course may be useful, as a choir director benefits from a strong musical foundation that includes piano skills. The course materials that cover music theory, note identification, scales, and intervals help a choir director understand the basics of musical structure. This course's focus on ear training, with tonic solfege and chord recognition, may be extremely useful in directing a choir, where vocal harmony is crucial. A person looking to be a choir director could benefit from the skills learned in this course.
Music Therapist
Music therapists use music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals and groups. This Piano Foundation course may provide a useful introduction to the fundamentals of music, which is the basis for their work. For a music therapist looking to use piano in their practice, this course offers a grounding in basic piano techniques. The ear training component, which includes tonic solfeggio, may be helpful for better understanding music theory. The focus on chord progressions will be useful in understanding the fundamentals of harmony. The finger exercises can also contribute to practical ability on the instrument, which a music therapist may find useful in therapy sessions. For someone who wants an entry into music therapy, this course may be helpful in building a foundation.
Composer
A composer creates original musical pieces. This Piano foundation course may be helpful to a composer, because it establishes a basic understanding of music theory and keyboard layout. Although not directly focused on composition, the course provides core building blocks such as scales, intervals, and basic chord progressions that are fundamental to music theory. The ear training exercises which cover tonic solfege, chord recognition, and progression identification, develop the foundational and aural skills necessary for composition. Someone who wants to be a composer will benefit from the finger exercises, which contribute to their practical ability on the instrument. A composer may find value in this course's foundational approach.
Film Score Composer
A film score composer writes music to accompany films. This Piano Foundation course may be helpful, given that a film score composer must possess a keen understanding of music theory, which this course provides a foundation for. The course covers fundamental concepts such as note names, intervals, scales, and basic chord progressions. The ear training component of the course, which teaches how to analyze chord progressions, is incredibly useful for any composer working in a visual medium. The finger exercises in this course may also be helpful for any composer who uses a piano or keyboard. A film score composer may find this course useful to build on foundational principles.
Music Director
This Piano Foundation course may be useful to a Music Director, who is in charge of coordinating the musical aspects of a production or group. The course covers core aspects of music theory with a foundation in piano. This could provide a better understanding of the language and structure of music. The course's training in identifying intervals, scales, and chord progressions could be especially useful in this role. The ear training provided, which teaches how to identify chords and progressions by ear, helps a director make informed choices about the music they work with. A music director would find that this course may help them in their role.
Songwriter
A songwriter creates original music and lyrics for songs. This Piano Foundation course may be helpful for developing songwriting skills by building a a solid understanding of music theory. The course introduces topics like note names, scales, and intervals, which are the basics of music composition. The ear training section, covering tonic solfege and chord progressions, is especially useful for better understanding harmony. The finger exercises provide practical training, which may also help in the songwriting process. A songwriter may find this course helpful in building a foundational understanding of music theory.
Musical Theatre Performer
A musical theatre performer acts, sings, and dances in musical productions. This Piano Foundation course may be beneficial for developing an understanding of music theory and piano fundamentals, which can help a musical theatre performer. While not a primary job function, musical understanding can allow a performer to better understand their role and to communicate with a musical director. This course material on note names, scales, and chord progressions may provide a foundational understanding of music. This course's focus on ear training and identifying chords may be useful for an actor to better understand musical scores. A musical theatre performer may find this training to be useful.
Piano Tuner
This Piano foundation course may be a helpful first step for a piano tuner, who is responsible for the tuning and upkeep of pianos. While this course does not teach the specific skills needed to tune a piano, it does provide a useful foundation by teaching the theory of notes, intervals, and scales. Because a piano tuner benefits from a good ear, the ear training exercises, which include tonic solfege, may be useful. The focus on scales and identifying notes may also help a piano tuner in ensuring that the keys are correctly tuned. A person who wants to become a piano tuner may find the skills taught in this course to be helpful.

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 Piano Foundation Course Level 1 - Getting Started On Piano.
Offers a friendly and accessible introduction to playing the piano. It covers the basics of music theory, piano technique, and playing different styles of music. It can be a helpful resource for students who are new to music or who prefer a more informal learning style. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser