Music Theory and Piano Course

Lesson 1 • Properties of Musical Sound

Covers pitch, duration, dynamics, and timbre as the four pillars of sound. Grounds all subsequent notation and piano study in acoustic reality.

Lesson 2 • Rhythm, Meter, and Time Signatures

Explains note values, rests, and how meter organizes beats into measures. Provides the rhythmic framework needed for all piano performance.

Lesson 3 • The Musical Alphabet and Pitch Names

Introduces the seven-letter pitch system and octave repetition. Connects letter names to piano keys for immediate physical orientation.

Lesson 4 • Accidentals, Sharps, and Flats

Defines sharps, flats, and naturals and their effect on pitch. Introduces black keys on the piano and enharmonic equivalents.

Lesson 1 • Producing a Basic Piano Tone

Teaches controlled key depression to produce a clear, even tone. Students practice legato and staccato touch on single notes.

Lesson 2 • Coordinating Both Hands Together

Guides students through combining hands on simple parallel and contrary patterns. Develops the neural coordination required for piano repertoire.

Lesson 3 • Five-Finger Exercises and Scales

Introduces five-finger patterns and C major scale in one octave. Builds finger independence and evenness essential for melodic playing.

Lesson 4 • Hand Shape and Finger Numbering

Introduces the curved hand position and standard finger numbers 1–5. Correct hand shape underpins all future technical exercises.

Lesson 1 • Major Scale Construction

Explains the whole-step and half-step pattern that defines any major scale. Students construct major scales from any starting pitch.

Lesson 2 • Minor Scales and Chromatic Scale

Extends scale practice to all minor forms and the chromatic scale. Completes the student's scale vocabulary for theory and performance.

Lesson 3 • Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor

Presents the three forms of the minor scale and their distinct interval patterns. Students distinguish each form by ear and on the keyboard.

Lesson 4 • Key Signatures and the Circle of Fifths

Introduces key signatures as shorthand for accidentals and maps them on the circle of fifths. Students memorize all 15 major key signatures.

Lesson 1 • Ear Training for Intervals

Develops aural recognition of all intervals from unison through octave. Uses reference songs and solfege to anchor each interval sound.

Lesson 2 • Intervals Within Scales and Chords

Analyzes intervals found within major and minor scales and basic triads. Bridges interval knowledge to chord construction in the next chapter.

Lesson 3 • Melodic and Harmonic Intervals

Distinguishes melodic intervals played in sequence from harmonic intervals played simultaneously. Students notate and play both types on the piano.

Lesson 1 • Playing Chord Progressions on Piano

Applies triad knowledge to common I-IV-V-I and I-vi-IV-V progressions. Students voice chords efficiently and transition smoothly between them.

Lesson 2 • Diatonic Triads in Major Keys

Derives the seven diatonic triads built on each scale degree of a major key. Students label triads with Roman numerals and identify their quality.

Lesson 3 • Triad Construction and Types

Defines major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads by their interval stacks. Students build all four types from any root on the keyboard.

Lesson 4 • Diatonic Triads in Minor Keys

Extends diatonic triad analysis to natural and harmonic minor. Highlights the raised seventh's effect on chord quality and harmonic function.

Lesson 1 • Dominant Seventh Resolution

Analyzes the V7 to I resolution as the strongest harmonic motion in tonal music. Students practice resolving tendency tones correctly on the piano.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Seventh Chords

Adds a seventh above the triad to create four-note chords with richer color. Covers major seventh, dominant seventh, and minor seventh types.

Lesson 3 • Extended Chords: Ninths and Elevenths

Introduces ninth and eleventh chords as extensions beyond the seventh. Students voice these chords practically on the piano for jazz and classical use.

Lesson 4 • Diminished and Augmented Seventh Chords

Examines fully diminished and augmented seventh chords and their symmetrical structures. Students use these chords for tension and chromatic color.

Lesson 1 • Phrase Structure and Cadences

Defines musical phrases, antecedent-consequent pairs, and the four cadence types. Students identify phrase boundaries and cadences in scores.

Lesson 2 • Advanced Rhythm and Syncopation

Covers dotted rhythms, ties, triplets, and syncopated patterns in detail. Students clap and play complex rhythms accurately in various meters.

Lesson 3 • Tempo, Articulation, and Dynamics

Introduces Italian tempo markings, articulation symbols, and dynamic gradations. Students apply these expressive tools in piano performance.

Lesson 4 • Sonata Form and Theme Development

Introduces exposition, development, and recapitulation in sonata form. Students trace thematic transformation and tonal contrast in a piano sonata.

Lesson 1 • Stylistic Interpretation Across Periods

Contrasts performance conventions of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Students adapt touch, ornamentation, and dynamics to each style.

Lesson 2 • Pedaling Technique and Effects

Introduces sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedal functions and their notation. Students apply pedaling to enhance legato and harmonic color in repertoire.

Lesson 3 • Score Reading and Fingering Decisions

Teaches systematic score analysis and strategic fingering selection before practice. Efficient preparation reduces learning time and prevents technical errors.

Lesson 4 • Practice Strategies and Memorization

Presents evidence-based practice methods including chunking, slow practice, and hands-separate work. Students build reliable memorization using multiple memory types.