Berklee

Piano Scales for Modern Music

Suzanna Sifter

Instructor: Suzanna Sifter

3,492 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Construct and play a variety of scales used in contemporary music

  • Identify scales in multi-genre melodies and harmonies

  • Compose and improvise melodies using scales

  • Utilize effective practice routines to quickly improve your piano playing

Details to know

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Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to Piano Scales for Modern Music! Before you begin, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

In this first lesson, we will begin by discussing the structure of the major and natural minor scales and identifying the fingering used to play these scales. We will learn how to make the most of our practice time by including a short warm up, practicing with proper posture, and creating daily practice goals. We will then identify how to use the major and natural minor scales in a jazz style and to improvise.

What's included

7 videos4 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

In lesson two, we will switch over to major and minor pentatonic scales. You will learn how to notate and play these scales and we will cover a very simple practice tip that will simply how you memorize scale fingerings. We will then identify the major and minor pentatonic scale in various popular musical settings and learn to play pentatonic melody over a funky groove. Finally, we will practice improvising using a new chord progression.

What's included

6 videos5 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

In lesson three, we will move on to something that might be a little less familiar but is widely used in all styles of music. We will take a look at the modes that can be created using a major scale and then focus in on a few that are most commonly used in popular music. We will talk about playing with different dynamics and how to develop an even playing tone on the piano. We will also play and improvise a melody in a jazz setting.

What's included

6 videos4 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

It's time for our final lesson and we are going to focus on playing the Blues. We will learn how to build the minor and major blues scales before practicing them. We will also identify how common it is to hear Blues notes in popular music. We will then combine all of our practicing so far to compose your own melody using a Blues scale before our final improvisation practice over a 12-bar Blues.

What's included

7 videos5 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Suzanna Sifter
Berklee
1 Course3,492 learners

Offered by

Berklee

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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