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Course overview: Piano and keyboard

Piano and keyboard lessons with online videos on the net. Watch free sample clips on learning to play the piano and keyboard now. Download free play-alongs here. This is the fun way to learn to play the piano and keyboard.

In one way or another, almost everyone wants to play the piano or keyboard (or both). Even most guitarists, bassists, and drummers would like to be able to play a few keystrokes. And although it can be tricky at times, it’s not hard to learn with our hands-on approach.

Of course reading music is an issue, but at the OpenMusicSchool you’ll see that there are other more exciting ways to learn to play piano or keyboard. We’ll start off with beautifully easy things anyone can do, and you’ll see that even they are huge fun.

Please keep in mind: the course programs at the Open Music School are not set in stone – they are recommendations. It’s a good idea to watch the videos in the right order and work with them, but you may as well watch clips on other topics, even other instruments. Let’s start with some first steps:

Join the OpenMusicSchool now and watch all video lessons online.

Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Harmony and rhythm (01:26)

Function of rhythm

Playing piano and keyboard in time

Two kinds of accompaniment

One harmony (C, G, C)

Two harmonies (C, F, G)

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0902
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: One hand (01:38)

Playing single notes, only white keys

Using the pedal

First own composition

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0903
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Both hands (00:50)

Playing single notes with both hands

Pedal kick

First own composition

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0904
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Seconds (02:33)

Playing major and minor seconds

C and D flat and C and D

Not suitable for composition

Tritone as a suitable transition to minor

Minor sixth and seventh reduced by one semitone

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0912
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Minor third (01:06)

Playing the minor third

Tonic notes C,  E flat (C minor)

Changing between major and minor

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0906
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Major third (02:10)

Piano and keyboard using double notes

Playing with two fingers of one hand

Playing intervals

Playing an ascending major third

Tonic notes  C, D, E

Playing a descending major third

Tonic notes  C, B, A

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0905
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Fourths (01:26)

Playing ascending and descending fourths

Difference between fourth and third

Variety in composition

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0907
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Fifths (01:04)

Playing ascending and descending fifths

Fifth and major third form C major triad

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0908
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Sixth (00:44)

Playing sixths

Tonic notes C and A

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0909
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Seventh (01:07)

Suitable for the transition from sixth to octave

Musical context is important

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0910
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Octave (01:03)

Playing octaves

Beautiful sound

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0911
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Experiencing music (00:54)

Technical terms are not important

Get a feeling for tonal distances

Experience the tonal qualities of the intervals

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0913
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: C major triad (02:00)

Playing the C major triad on piano and keyboard

Playing it as a chord and as an arpeggio

Arpeggio with held pedal

Waterfall effect

Sample song Kitzbuehel (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0914
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: C major triad variations 1 (02:06)

C major on piano and keyboard

Shifting the bottom two notes a whole tone down

Shifting the top two notes a whole tone up

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0915
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: C major triad variations 2 (02:22)

C major on piano and keyboard

Shifting the middle tone a whole tone down

Quick change to E and back

Wonderful effect and sound

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0916
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Combination (01:27)

Combining different effects

Mixing makes things more interesting

Numerous possibilities for composition

Playalong (PAPE09A and PAPE09B) under Download Playalongs

Videonummer: PE0917
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Finger exercise 3 octaves (03:39)

Playing piano and keyboard using octaves

Getting a feel for distances between keys

Sample song Sound like Rain (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Sample song Kitzbuehel (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Effective use of octaves in composition

Videonummer: PE0508

In the know how and playing techniques sections you’ll find many basic terms and examples to explain what they mean and what you can do with them. And, as usual, you’ll find many audio samples to make things practical and easy to understand. The samples can be downloaded by non-members as well.

Join now and watch all piano and keyboard video lessons online. By the way, downloading the play-alongs is free for non-members as well.

Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Composition arpeggio (07:39)

Playing piano and keyboard: composing

Arpeggio of a chord

Play the notes successively

Using an arpeggiator

Random sequence in the arpeggiator

Combining arpeggiators

Mixing individual tracks

Filter and synthesizer for dance and techno music

Sample song with arpeggiator

Videonummer: PE0501
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: my favorite key C minor (12:44)

C minor

Transposing and playing octaves

The individual notes of C-minor

Changing positions

C major

Chords with 2, 3 and 4 parts

Videonummer: PE0101
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: major and minor (06:31)

C major

Third, major third

From major to minor

F major and G major become F minor and G minor

Videonummer: PE0201
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Scales (02:55)

Scale C major

Tonic

Octave

A minor, C minor

Videonummer: PE0202
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: C major (02:37)

C major

Piano School

Where is C?

C major triad, also with inversion

Four part chords, octave

Videonummer: PE0203
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Chromaticism (01:25)

What is chromaticism?

Sample song Sad (Inside) under Download My Music

Dramatic

Videonummer: PE0301
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Composition staccato (04:54)

Jumping quickly from tone to tone

Sample song Solo of the Year part 2 (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Editing a track in a sequencer to create staccato

Using legato and staccato, alternating in the song

Videonummer: PE0502
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Composition staccato on one key (01:50)

Playing piano and keyboard

Staccato on one key

Sample song Remember (Inside) under Download My Music

Repetition of keys

Videonummer: PE0503
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Legato (01:56)

Legato notes

Pressing the next key before releasing the first key

Piano playing and legato with the pedal

Videonummer: PE0504

Ideas and inspiration for playing make up by far the biggest part of the instructional videos. As usual, you can skip ahead whenever you like, or watch the clips in their original order.

The main thing is that you find exciting things which inspire you to come up with your own ideas. And when you have one, no matter how small, record and keep it – it’s your first step into the big wide world of music. But how can you record yourself? Take a look at the sections on studio engineering and composition – everything will be explained there. Have fun!

Join now and watch all video lessons on playing the piano and keyboard online.

Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 1 (00:51)

Right hand plays D, E flat, D, C

Bass variation

Well-suited for an exciting song opening

Videonummer: PE1001
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 2 (00:46)

Right hand plays D, E falt, B

Bass variation

Videonummer: PE1002
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 3 (01:47)

F major with G in the bass

A major with G in the bass

Playing an interesting combination

Finding chords and black keys by ear

Sample song Jazz Rocks (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE1003
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 4 (00:58)

F major with G instead of A

Left hand changes from F to G

Interesting for bridge or verse

Right hand plays B

Playing bridges and transitions with piano and keyboard

Videonummer: PE1004
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 5 (01:14)

Four part chord C F G C

Ascending bass in the left hand

Alternating the four parts

From G to A flat to D

Developing dramatic transitions

Videonummer: PE1005
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 6 (02:12)

Sample song You don't know (Sooner or Later) under Download My Music

Explanation of song construction and composition

Major chords

Sustaining notes and chords

Developing a unique theme

Videonummer: PE1006
Learning to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 7 (01:26)

Right hand: Root C minor chord

Thirds: E flat, G

Change to F major and G major

Cheerful sounds on the piano and keyboard

Shift from minor to major

Videonummer: PE1007
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 8 (01:49)

Playing freely in a well-known key

Exercises for coordination and concentration

Ideal for finding inspiration on the piano and keyboard

Videonummer: PE1008
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 9 (02:33)

How A Daybreak was composed

Doubling of notes with two fingers on one key

Using trills and fourths

Sample song A Daybreak (Instrumental) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE1009
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 10 (00:42)

F major and switching to F sharp as the root

Change to G, then G sharp

Analogous bass

Chromatic change

Dramatic composition

Videonummer: PE1010
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 11 (01:07)

Right hand D, B flat interval

G ,E flat, then further at the top D, B flat, again

Hitting keys exactly when jumping between keys

Alternating C or other roots in the bass

Very dreamy composition

Videonummer: PE1011
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 12 (01:05)

Quick arpeggios in F, A flat, E flat

Alternating arpeggios with G as the root instead of F

A flat and B flat in the bass

Possible use in a song's bridge

Compositions with small alterations

Videonummer: PE1012
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 13 (01:26)

Play interesting bass figures on piano and keyboard

Shifting fingers in the left hand

Sample song Novpiano (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE1013
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 14 (02:27)

Rock'n Roll in C major, F, G

Importance of the swing feel in the right hand

No swing feel in the left hand

Relevance of chromaticism, chromatic run

The left hand with position change

Videonummer: PE1014
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 15 (01:28)

Play piano and keyboard with three voices

Precision is very important, playing the chord's parts simultaneously

Emphasis on the first triad

Shortened chords with diminished middle tone

Videonummer: PE1015
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 16 (01:31)

Avoidance of corresponding roots

Right hand never plays root of the left hand

Composition and tension

Videonummer: PE1016
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 17 (01:52)

Double exercise with left hand

Learning speed and precision

Key repitition of the instrument

Sample song Remember (Inside) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE1017
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 18 (01:01)

Right hand D and G

Alternating D and A

Left hand plays D and F

Resolving to G

Videonummer: PE1018
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 19 (01:32)

Playing piano and keyboard using arpeggios

Beginning with C D E G climbing up

Left hand plays arpeggios on C, F and G

Characteristic features of different tonalities

Videonummer: PE1019
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Ideas and tips 20 (01:37)

Right hand plays eighth note staccato

Playing piano and keyboard and shortened chords

Left hand plays bass run

Left hand plays contrasting themes to the right hand

Record right and left hand separately in the sequenzer

Videonummer: PE1020
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Little Hungarian tear (01:51)

Playing Little Hungarian tear on piano and keyboard

C minor

B as tonic and D

Videonummer: PE0918
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Root change (06:31)

C major

Change middle tone of a chord

Root change

Song beginning

Changing the root again

A minor

Raise middle tone, shift upper notes

Videonummer: PE0102
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Black keys (04:50)

Playing the black keys

Sounds Chinese

Alternative idea with the black keys

Flea waltz

Musical inspiration through black keys

Advantage of black keys compared to the white ones

Electric piano on black keys

Videonummer: PE0103
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Inverting chords (04:13)

C major

G change

Four part chord through octave

Writing songs yourself

Avoid pure chord forms

Pop song and folk music, easy and relaxed

F major

C minor

Videonummer: PE0302
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: C minor with G flat (04:08)

C minor

G flat

Doesn't fit, or does it?

Sample song Remember (Inside) under Download My Music

Runs without and with G flat, fast and slow

Romanticism becomes cynicism

Videonummer: PE0303
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Left hand (02:48)

Playing piano and keyboard with the left hand

Training the left hand with figures

Sample song Novpiano (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE0505
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Finger exercise 1 (01:57)

D - e flat - d - c / d - e flat - d - c practise to get the first three fingers working smoothly

Playing piano and keyboard: getting a feeling for the keys

Finger exercise: right hand with bass tone in the left hand

Videonummer: PE0506
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Finger exercise 2 (02:09)

Playing piano and keyboard: B flat - B -  C -  E flat - E - F exercise

Agility of the last three fingers

Videonummer: PE0507
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Finger exercise 4 (02:23)

Diminishing the middle tone by a semitone or whole tone

Playing triads on piano and keyboard

Videonummer: PE0509
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Finger exercise change between major and minor (01:45)

Composition and dramatic moments

Playing piano and keyboard and changing between major and minor

Sample song Kitzbuehel (Instrumentals) under Download My Music

Videonummer: PE0512

In the following videos I’ll show you what reading music is good for and why we may as well do without it. But in case you still want to play music from notation, I’ll show you how to make it a lot easier.

Join now and watch all video lessons on playing the piano and keyboard online.

Learn to play the piano and keyboard: reading music notation (02:57)

Playing piano and keyboard: reading music

Reading notation of familiar pieces

Playing piano and keyboard without notation

Composition also works without writing notes

Videonummer: PE0701
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Symbols of music notation (03:05)

Pitch and rhythm

Duration and volume

Staff systems for right and left hand

Bass clef and treble clef

Extensive symbolism

Videonummer: PE0702
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Fingering (03:33)

Playing piano and keyboard with notated fingering

Numbers above notes

Changing thumb position

Thumb and black keys

Fingering change

Videonummer: PE0703
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Sight-reading (02:20)

Sight-reading for piano and keyboard

Significance of reading music

Reading notes for practising a piece of music

Sight-reading

Composing own pieces of music

Videonummer: PE0704
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Accidentals (03:28)

Playing piano and keyboard: tonalities

Accidentals (flat and sharp)

Diminishing and augmentting by a semitone

Which notes belong to which tonality

Example C minor

Videonummer: PE0705
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Playing without key signatures 1 (06:12)

Playing piano and keyboard without key signatures

Differences between treble clef and bass clef

Writing note names above the notes

Listen to the piece of music beforehand

Slow playback of the music

Videonummer: PE0706
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Playing without key signatures 2 (02:48)

Playing piano and keyboard without key signatures

Quicker ways of leanring a piece of music

Have more fun learning

Really experiencing the music

Own composition

Videonummer: PE0707
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: writing notation yourself (01:49)

Playing piano and writing notes (composition)

Let the sequenzer take down the notes

Positioning notes in the sequenzer

Videonummer: PE0708
Learn to play the piano and keyboard: Luminous keys (03:33)

Playing keyboard with luminous keys

Different speeds for practicing

Playful access to the music

Limited catalogue

Smaller keys and shortened keyboard

Videonummer: PE0709

Playing drums on your keyboard? That’s possible? You bet it is! But why would you want to do this? Well, the fact is, as soon as you use pre-fabricated elements in your music, you sacrifice a piece of your individuality. And if there is one thing the Open Music School doesn’t want, it is to constrain creativity or individuality.

Therefore, I advise you to record your own beats as often as you can. If you also design your own sounds, you’ll see that your beats will stand apart from everything else that’s around. It will be your beat, and it will carry your signature – and that’s what it’s all about: be yourself. I’ll introduce you to the tools in corresponding videos – drums on your keyboard. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

Join the OpenMusicSchool now and watch all video lessons online.

Drums on the keyboard: Where can I find what? (08:20)

Playing drumson piano or keyboard

Recording drum tracks on keyboard

Bass drum and snare drum

Open and closed hi-hat

Various cymbal sounds (C,A)

Ride cymbal

Toms (C,A,F) and tom rolls

Videonummer: KE0101
Drums on the keyboard: Basic beat 1 (01:19)

Basic beat on keyboard

Opening and closing hi-hat

Videonummer: KE0102
Drums on the keyboard: Toms (02:11)

Toms, tom pairs and tom rolls

Combining toms and snare drum

Loud and soft playing

Suitable for bridge or fill

Sequencer setting

Videonummer: KE0103
Drums on the keyboard: Ride basic beat (01:11)

Ride cymbal and ride basic beat

Variations and composition

Videonummer: KE0104
Drums on the keyboard: Congas and bongos (04:02)

Congas and Bongos

Played with both hands

Very prominent sound

Filtering congas and bongos

Quantization

High creativity

Videonummer: KE0105
Drums on the keyboard: Cabasa and shaker (04:02)

Cabasa and shaker (A and A sharp)

Dynamics and correction in the sequencer

Quantization

Inaccuracy as creative device

Percussion volume

Videonummer: KE0106
Drums on the keyboard: Triangle (02:19)

Muted and unmuted triangle

G sharp and A

Quantization

Triangle volume

Triangle stereo arrangement

Muting in filter

Videonummer: KE0107
Drums on the keyboard: Claps (02:22)

Claps (D sharp)

Claps and snare

Tight and Loose

Quantization

Sample library

Videonummer: KE0108
Drums on the keyboard: Chimes (01:52)

Chimes (B, C)

Slow transition between song parts

Song example Mountains (Barricades) at Download My Music

Sample library

Stereo panorama

Videonummer: KE0109
Drums on the keyboard: Tambourine (02:38)

Tambourine and snare

First stroke louder than next three

Changes in sequencer

Quantization

Videonummer: KE0110
Drums on the keyboard: Recording (03:41)

Drumsand Recording

Recording simultaneously or subsequently

Cymbal and hi-hat not together

Authentic sound, realistic combinations

Videonummer: KE0111
Drums on the keyboard: Electronic (04:26)

Electronic drums

Grooves

Combination with claps

Sixteenths accentuated on 2

Using the sequencer

Composing your own grooves

Videonummer: KE0112
Drums on the keyboard: Quantization (03:28)

Recording double strokes on piano or keyboard

Sequencer at 65 bpm

Feeling insecure when recording

Learning to play drums and quantization

Higher metronome resolution

Videonummer: DE1109

You’re missing a clip? Or even several videos? Email me and I’ll see what I can do.

Join the OpenMusicSchool now and watch all video lessons online.