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Piano for Beginners Course Curriculum
Chapter 1: Intro to the Piano
No label Lesson 1.1: Course Overview
This course has been strategically designed to take students from complete beginners to proficient pianists. There is no timeline that you must adhere to in this course. Instead, I implore you to work at your own pace and only move on to the next lesson insofar as you truly grasp all of the material within it.
At first glance, the keys on the piano appear to be both randomly placed and abundant in quantity. In this lesson, you will improve your understanding of how the 88 keys on the piano are structured and why they are positioned in the way that they are. Think of this lesson as the very beginning intro to the piano.
No label Lesson 1.3: Intro to the White Keys
Now that you understand how the 88 keys are structured, it's now time to dive into the white keys. As you can see below, the majority of the keys on the piano are white and each key has a designated letter assigned to it. These letters are actually notes, which repeat at every 8th note (called an octave). You need not memorize every white key from left to right, but instead just learn each letter in 1 octave as each octave repeats across the piano.
No label Lesson 1.4: Intro to the Black Keys
Now that you know all about the white keys, let's discuss the black keys. While there are 52 white keys on the piano, there are only 36 black keys. Why the discrepancy? To put it simply, the black keys help to break up the tone of the piano by allowing for more depth and range. Black keys allow for a "half-step" or "semitone" to occur, which allows for more musical expression and pitch differentiation. This is also where we start to see sharps (♯) and flats (♭).
No label Lesson 1.5: How the 3 Pedals Work
What would the piano be with out pedals? Not much! In this lesson, you'll learn all about the 3 most popular pedals on the piano, such as why they're so important, how they function, how they alter the sound produced by the piano, as well as getting to practice using the pedals for yourself on your own piano.
No label Chapter 1 Recap & Knowledge Test
Chapter 2: Intro to Scales
Like atoms are the building blocks of matter, so to are scales the building blocks of music. Indeed, this extends far beyond just piano music as scales are the bedrock of music theory. Want to create a new song? Well, you're going to need to first choose a scale to play that music in. Don't worry if this sounds confusing now as by the end of this chapter you'll be a scale pro!
No label Lesson 2.2: Intro to Major Scales
Now that you know what scales are, how you can best utilize them, as well as why they are so integral to music creation, now let's talk about the most common types of scales, Major Scales. When you hear any sort of scale or chord with the word "Major" in front of it, then you can rest assure that the melodies that come from said scale are going to sound "bright" and "happy." This is the most noticeable aspect of major scales and something you'll get quite accustomed to the more you play.
No label Lesson 2.3: Intro to Minor Scales
In stark contrast to Major Scales, which sound "bright" and "happy," Minor Scales sound "brooding," "emotional," and even "sad." These types of scales are perfect for anyone wanting to create a song with a more melancholic or serious feel to it. Check out the Minor Scales chart below to see which keys are in each scale.
Now that you've learned about major and minor scales, it's time to discover even more scales. Yes, that's right! There are even more scales that you can choose from far beyond the traditional two major and minor scales which most Western music utilizes. In this lesson, we'll learn about Sharp Scales. What is a sharp you may ask? It is simply a symbol (♯) placed next to a note which let's you know that you need to sharpen the key. This simply means that you play the key directly to the right of whichever key you're starting from (aka one half step or one semitone to the right). Check out the chart below for a clearer explanation.
No label Lesson 2.5: Intro to Flat (♭) Scales
Now that you've learned about Sharp Scales, it's time to discover even more scales. Introducing Flat Scales. What is a flat you may ask? It is simply a symbol (♭) placed next to a note which let's you know that you need to flatten the key. This simply means that you play the key directly to the left of whichever key you're starting from (aka one half step or one semitone to the left). Check out the chart below for a clearer explanation.
No label Chapter 2 Recap & Knowledge Test
Chapter 3: Intro to Chords
Now that you understand what scales are and have played them, let's see the forest for the trees and pick individual keys from each scale which sound absolutely beautiful when played together. These, as you may have guessed, are called chords. And as you will soon discover, playing chords throughout a composition is virtually always an amazing idea, that is, if you want to create and play beautiful music!
No label Lesson 3.2: Intro to Major Chords
Now that you know what chords are, how you can best utilize them, as well as why they are so integral to music creation, now let's talk about the most common types of chords, Major Chords. Just like with major scales, major chords are going to sound "bright" and "happy." Check out the Major Chords Chart below to see which keys are in each chord.
No label Lesson 3.3: Intro to Minor Chords
In stark contrast to Major Chords, which sound "bright" and "happy," Minor Chords sound "brooding," "emotional," and even "sad." These types of chords are perfect for anyone wanting to create a song with a more melancholic or serious feel to it. Check out the Minor Chords Chart below to see which keys are in each chord.
No label Lesson 3.4: Intro to 7th Chords
Thought traditional major and minor chords sounded pretty? Think again! 7th chords are the same as triad chords except you add a 4th note at the end. This added note gives even more "umph" to the chord, making it sound more voluminous and profound.
No label Lesson 3.5: Arpeggiating Chords
One of the most beautiful sounding things you can do on the piano is arpeggiating a chord. What does this mean exactly? Well, arpeggiating a chord simply means playing the notes of the chord one after the other, instead of playing them all in unison. Check out the illustration below for a clear visual of what an arpeggio looks like.
No label Chapter 3 Recap & Knowledge Test
Chapter 4: Intro to Music Theory
Music theory is the study of how music works—the rules, concepts, and structures behind the sounds we hear. It explains elements like notes, scales, chords, rhythm, harmony, melody, and form, helping musicians understand and communicate music more clearly. In short, music theory turns random sounds into meaningful music.
No label Lesson 4.2: Intro to Rhythm
Rhythm is defined as the timing of musical sounds and silences, including beats, note durations, and patterns. Rhythm is important in piano music as it helps with timing, phrasing, and playing in sync with others. Read the article below to learn the ins and outs of this invaluable music theory concept.
No label Lesson 4.3: Intro to Pitch
Pitch is the term used to describe how high or low a note sounds. As you know, the piano has 88 keys, offering a very wide range of pitches. Understanding how pitch works not only allows you to better understand sheet music, but also to improve your "ear," a training concept we will cover in Chapter 6.
No label Lesson 4.4: Intro to Harmony
One of the most important concepts in music theory is Harmony. Defined as the combination of two or more notes played simultaneously to create a pleasing sound, harmony adds depth and richness to music, making it pretty and pleasing to hear.
No label Lesson 4.5: Intro to Dynamics
Dynamics can be defined as the volume of music, ranging from soft (p) to loud (f), and everything in between. Dynamics add emotion and variation to your playing. Pianists (like you!) must control touch and pressure to execute dynamic changes.
No label Lesson 4.6: Intro to Articulation
Articulation is the way a note is played, such as staccato (short), legato (smooth), or accented (emphasized). It shapes the character and texture of your playing and is an extremely important music theory concept to understand.
No label Lesson 4.7: Intro to Expression
Expression can be defined as directions within music that guide the emotional delivery of the composition. It can also be thought of as the ability to convey emotion, mood, and meaning through musical performance beyond simply playing the notes in the correct pattern.
No label Chapter 4 Recap & Knowledge Test
Chapter 5: How to Read Sheet Music
Reading sheet music is a foundational skill for pianists and musicians of any instrument. It serves as a universal language for music, allowing you to learn, create, and communicate your musical ideas effectively. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced player, developing the ability to read notation opens doors to countless opportunities.
Learning to read sheet music can feel overwhelming at first, especially for beginner piano players. All those lines, notes, and symbols may seem like a secret code. But once you understand the structure and logic behind it, reading sheet music becomes a powerful and rewarding skill that opens up a whole world of musical possibilities.
Now that you have a solid understanding of the basics of music theory and of sheet music, let's now try to play some measures directly from sheet music! The song you'll play is Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie. It's a truly beautiful song and is also extremely beginner friendly. Watch the video above and let's play the first grand staff together!
Congrats! You played the first measure in Gymnopédie No. 1! Now, let's continue our way through the sheet music by playing the second grand staff. Just as we did in the last lesson, follow along with me in the video above and let's play these new measures together!
Now that you've played the first two grand staffs in the song Gymnopédie No. 1, let's combine them together and play them from the first note to the last. No worries, you got this!
No label Chapter 5 Recap & Knowledge Test
Chapter 6: Ear Training
No label Lesson 6.1: Ear Training 1
Learning to play the piano involves more than just reading sheet music or practicing finger exercises. One of the most powerful yet often overlooked skills a pianist can develop is ear training—the ability to identify musical elements such as pitch, intervals, chords, and rhythms by listening.
No label Lesson 6.2: Ear Training 2
Practicing ear training every day, even for just 10–15 minutes, can dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand music. In this Part 2 lesson on ear training, I'll show you even more ways you can improve your ability to clearly and easily decipher the pitches of certain individual keys, chords, and melodies.
No label Lesson 6.3: Ear Training 3
Practicing ear training every day, even for just 10–15 minutes, can dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand music. In this Part 2 lesson on ear training, I'll show you even more ways you can improve your ability to clearly and easily decipher the pitches of certain individual keys, chords, and melodies.
No label Lesson 6.4: Ear Training 4
Practicing ear training every day, even for just 10–15 minutes, can dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand music. In this Part 2 lesson on ear training, I'll show you even more ways you can improve your ability to clearly and easily decipher the pitches of certain individual keys, chords, and melodies.
No label Lesson 6.5: Ear Training 5
Practicing ear training every day, even for just 10–15 minutes, can dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand music. In this Part 2 lesson on ear training, I'll show you even more ways you can improve your ability to clearly and easily decipher the pitches of certain individual keys, chords, and melodies.
No label Chapter 6 Recap
Chapter 7: Skill Acquisition - Speed Training & Finger Dexterity Training
When you think of a great pianist, what likely comes to mind is someone whose fingers dance effortlessly across the keys, producing music that flows with grace, power, and emotion. While talent, ear training, and musical understanding are crucial components of piano playing, one physical skill stands at the heart of it all: finger dexterity.
In this Part 2 of Finger Dexterity Training, we'll go over 10 daily finger dexterity exercises specifically designed for beginner pianists. You can rotate through these during your warm-up or technical practice time each day. These exercises will help you build control, strength, speed, and independence.
No label Lesson 7.3: Speed Training Part 1
Speed is one of the most exciting and impressive elements of piano playing. When you see a pianist glide across the keys at lightning pace—playing fast arpeggios, intricate runs, or high-energy rhythms—it often looks effortless. But in reality, that level of control and precision comes from consistent, focused speed training.
No label Lesson 7.4: Speed Training Part 2
In this lesson, we'll go over 10 speed training exercises designed to help you play faster with greater control and confidence. Perfect for daily practice, these techniques will help you build the foundation needed for more advanced and expressive piano playing.
No label Chapter 7 Recap
Chapter 8: How to Create Your Own Melodies & Songs
No label Lesson 8.1: Creating Your Own Songs
Many people who want to learn how to play the piano do so because they want to learn how to play a piano song from a famous pianist, like Beethoven, or to play a cover of their favorite pop song. Additionally, there are also people who desire to create their own melodies and even their own songs. In this chapter, I'll show you how to do just this!
No label Lesson 8.2: How Songs are Structured
One of the most important aspects of composing your own piano music is understanding how to structure a song. If you’re just getting started, it can feel a little overwhelming—do you need to follow a set formula? Is there a right or wrong way to organize your melodies? The short answer is: no, there are no strict rules. But there are common patterns and helpful ideas that can guide you as you build your own musical creations.
No label Lesson 8.3: Choosing a Scale
While not always the first step, for beginners, when working on creating your own original melodies, it's advised that you start by choosing a scale. Why is this important? Well, once you choose your scale, you'll then have a defined set of keys that you can play (in any octave) to create your unique melodies.
The next step you should take when creating your first melodies, while not mandatory, is to find your chosen scale's chords, specifically the triad and 7th chords, respectively. Doing this will allow you to greatly simplify the music creation process by giving you a set of keys that sound beautiful together, giving you the freedom to create melodies from the chords themselves if desired.
Improvisation on the piano isn’t just for jazz musicians or advanced players—it’s one of the most rewarding and effective tools for songwriters at any level. If you’ve ever sat down at your keyboard and started freely playing around with notes and chords, you’ve already touched on the magic of improvisation. It’s spontaneous, emotional, and, more often than not, leads to unexpected bursts of creativity that can turn into full-fledged songs.
No label Lesson 8.6: Putting it All Together
Now that you have created at least one melody, you can take this time to fine tune it by practicing it or if you have ambitions to create a full song, then go ahead and use this lesson to work on creating new melodies to complete your song.
No label Chapter 8 Recap
Chapter 9: Course Recap
No label Final Piano Exam
This Final Piano Exam is a comprehensive knowledge test of everything you've learned throughout this course from the first lesson all the way to the last.
About the Teacher
Thomas Hlubin
Hi, I'm Thomas and I created OnlinePianoLessons.com! Thank you so much for showing interest in my online piano course! I have worked very hard on creating it and I hope my love and passion for the piano shows throughout each lesson. I am very honored to be your online piano teacher and I can't wait for you to blossom as a proficient pianist. Talk soon!
Benefits of a Piano for Beginners Course
Learning to play the piano is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you can give yourself. But if you’re just starting out, figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. Should you hire a private teacher? Learn from YouTube? Or enroll in a structured piano for beginners course?
While there are many ways to learn piano, an online piano for beginners course offers a unique combination of flexibility, affordability, and structure that makes it ideal for newcomers. In this guide, we’ll explore the key benefits of taking a piano for beginners course, why it’s often more effective than traditional lessons, and how it can help you stay motivated and confident as you progress.
1. Learn At Your Own Pace
One of the biggest advantages of an online piano for beginners course is the ability to learn at your own pace. Traditional lessons usually follow a fixed weekly schedule, which can be stressful for adults with work, family, or other commitments.
With a piano for beginners course, you can practice whenever it fits your lifestyle—morning, night, or weekends. There’s no pressure to “keep up” with anyone else, and you can spend extra time mastering the lessons that challenge you the most.
This self-paced approach encourages deeper understanding. Instead of rushing through material to prepare for your next in-person session, you can replay video lessons, review notes, and truly grasp each concept before moving forward.
2. Structured Learning Without The Stress
A well-designed piano for beginners course provides a clear roadmap that takes the guesswork out of learning. Many beginners make the mistake of jumping from one random YouTube video to another, resulting in confusion and frustration.
An online piano for beginners course organizes everything in logical order—from learning the notes and keys, to chords, rhythm, and playing your first songs. Each lesson builds on the previous one, helping you develop real skills step by step.
For example, the Piano for Beginners Course at OnlinePianoLessons.com is structured into progressive lessons that guide you from absolute basics to confident playing. You’ll know exactly what to practice each day, removing all uncertainty from your learning path.
3. Affordable And Accessible For Everyone
In-person piano lessons can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 per session, and that adds up fast. A piano for beginners course gives you the same expert guidance for a fraction of the cost—often under the price of a single traditional lesson.
Online piano for beginners courses are also more accessible. You can learn from anywhere in the world, using just a keyboard or digital piano and an internet connection. This opens up piano education to people who might not have access to a local teacher or who prefer learning privately at home.
Affordability and accessibility make it easier for anyone, regardless of background or budget, to begin their musical journey with confidence.
4. Replay Lessons Anytime
When you attend an in-person lesson, it’s easy to forget small details your teacher mentioned. With a piano for beginners course, every video and exercise is always available for replay.
This on-demand access means you can pause, rewind, and rewatch lessons as many times as needed. You’ll never have to worry about missing information or feeling lost. This level of repetition and reinforcement helps you retain skills faster—especially when practicing hand coordination, rhythm, or finger placement.
Being able to revisit any topic at any time makes online learning a powerful tool for true mastery.
5. Encourages Consistent Practice
Consistency is key to learning piano successfully. Many beginners lose momentum when lessons are too far apart or when they don’t have structured guidance between sessions.
A piano for beginners course keeps you motivated through continuous progress tracking and short, focused lessons you can fit into your daily routine. Because you can practice anytime, even a quick 20-minute session after work can make a difference.
This steady rhythm of practice helps you build muscle memory, finger dexterity, and confidence—skills that only come from repetition.
6. Private, Pressure-Free Environment
Many adults feel anxious or self-conscious about learning piano in front of a teacher, especially when making mistakes. A piano for beginners course eliminates that pressure entirely.
Learning online gives you privacy to explore and experiment freely. You can take as long as you need on any exercise without worrying about being judged. This makes the process more enjoyable and less intimidating, allowing you to focus on your own growth.
Whether you’re shy or simply prefer learning in a calm environment, online piano lessons create a safe space for you to thrive.
7. Access To Comprehensive Learning Materials
A high-quality piano for beginners course doesn’t just include videos—it often comes with additional learning resources like eBooks, sheet music, audio tracks, and practice guides.
These materials reinforce what you learn in each lesson and help you practice more effectively. Instead of spending extra money on separate workbooks or charts, everything you need is included in one package.
For example, the Piano for Beginners Course on OnlinePianoLessons.com provides step-by-step instruction videos, downloadable PDFs, and practical exercises so you always know what to focus on next.
8. Progress Tracking And Motivation
Staying motivated is one of the biggest challenges for new pianists. That’s why many online piano for beginners courses include built-in progress tracking systems that help you measure your growth.
You can easily see how far you’ve come and which lessons you’ve completed. This visual feedback keeps you motivated and excited to continue. Plus, celebrating each milestone—like mastering a new chord or completing your first song—reinforces your commitment to keep going.
Progress tracking also helps you identify where you might need extra review, ensuring no skill gets left behind.
9. Perfect Foundation For Future Learning
A piano for beginners course isn’t just about learning basic notes or songs—it’s about building a strong foundation that sets you up for long-term success.
By understanding rhythm, chords, and hand coordination from the start, you’ll be better prepared to advance to intermediate or advanced levels later. You’ll also develop good habits early on, such as proper posture and efficient finger movement, which are critical for preventing strain and improving technique.
The right piano for beginners course teaches you how to learn, not just what to play.
10. Learn Songs You Actually Love
Finally, one of the most enjoyable benefits of taking a piano for beginners course is learning to play real songs you love.
Many modern online courses include simplified versions of popular songs, allowing you to apply your new skills to music that inspires you. This makes practice sessions more exciting and helps you stay consistent.
When you can sit down and play a song you recognize, it builds confidence and reminds you why you started in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I really learn piano online as a complete beginner?
Yes! A piano for beginners course is specifically designed to teach you from scratch, even if you’ve never touched a keyboard before. With guided lessons and consistent practice, you’ll start playing songs faster than you might think.
2. How long does it take to learn piano for beginners?
It depends on how much time you dedicate to practice. Most students who follow a structured piano for beginners course see real progress within 8–12 weeks.
3. What kind of piano or keyboard do I need?
You can start with any 61-key or 88-key digital keyboard. A piano for beginners course will show you how to make the most of your instrument, even if it’s not full-sized.
4. Is an online piano course better than private lessons?
For many beginners, yes. An online piano for beginners course offers flexibility, affordability, and lifetime access to materials—something traditional lessons rarely provide.
Final Thoughts: Piano for Beginners
If you’ve always wanted to play piano but didn’t know where to start, enrolling in a piano for beginners course is one of the smartest decisions you can make. You’ll gain expert instruction, supportive guidance, and the freedom to learn at your own pace—all while saving time and money.
Whether your goal is to play your favorite songs, improve your focus, or simply enjoy a relaxing hobby, the right piano for beginners course will help you get there step by step