Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/piano-techniques-for-modern-music
Have you always dreamt of tickling the ivories, but found yourself intimidated by where to begin? Coursera’s “Piano Techniques for Modern Music” might just be the perfect starting point for your musical journey. This course is expertly designed for absolute beginners, promising to build fundamental skills quickly and healthily, all while incorporating exercises and examples from popular music across various styles.
The course kicks off with the absolute essentials in Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Posture and Hand Position. It emphasizes healthy piano playing from the ground up, covering proper posture, breathing, finger placement, and hand position. You’ll even dive into the C major scale and popular cadences, laying a solid foundation for your practice routine and even dabbling in improvisation.
Lesson 2, Finger and Arm Technique, focuses on developing greater finger independence and smooth hand shifts across the keyboard. The goal here is to expand your dynamic range and minimize tension, applying these newfound skills to contemporary music examples. This is where you really start to feel the music flowing.
As you progress to Lesson 3, Wrist Technique and Chord Tones, the harmonic aspect of piano playing comes into play. You’ll broaden your chord knowledge, increase your playing speed, and master proper wrist technique to avoid strain. The course continues to integrate popular tunes and emphasizes building hand independence, crucial for tackling more complex pieces.
Finally, Lesson 4, Pedal Technique, brings everything together. You’ll learn to coordinate your hands and feet, mastering the use of the pedal in both classical and contemporary contexts. This lesson delves into common pedaling techniques in modern music, offering insights into developing piano virtuosity. The course concludes with invaluable advice on organizing practice time, the benefits of a practice journal, and recording your sessions for accelerated improvement.
Overall, “Piano Techniques for Modern Music” is an outstanding resource for aspiring pianists. It provides a structured, encouraging, and practical approach to learning the piano. The blend of fundamental techniques with popular music examples makes the learning process engaging and rewarding. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to start their piano adventure with confidence and a solid foundation.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/piano-techniques-for-modern-music