Pop Piano Foundations: Play Contemporary Songs by Ear and Chord Charts
Learn the essential chords, rhythm patterns, and practical music theory needed to play popular songs on the keyboard without relying on complex sheet music.
-
💬
AI instructor
Ask about any lesson and get a clear answer instantly, anytime. -
🕐
Start anytime
No schedules or deadlines — learn at your own pace, whenever suits you. -
🌐
In English
Lessons, tasks and certificate — all fully in your language.
About this course
Course contents
6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h
1
The Keyboard Landscape
Master the layout of the piano and basic musical terminology.
- Welcome to Pop Piano
Understanding that pop piano is about patterns rather than complex notation.5 min - Keyboard Geography: White Keys
Identifying the musical alphabet (A-G) on the white keys.6 min - The Black Keys: Sharps and Flats
Using the groups of two and three black keys to navigate the board.6 min - Half Steps and Whole Steps
Learning the smallest distances between notes as the building blocks of music.6 min - Finding Your Home: Middle C
Locating Middle C and understanding octaves across the keyboard.5 min
2
Building Your First Chords
Construct and play essential major and minor triads.
- The Major Triad Formula
Using the 4-3 half-step rule to build any major chord.7 min - The 'Big Three' Major Chords
Mastering C, G, and F major as the foundation of many songs.6 min - The Minor Triad Formula
Adjusting the major triad to create a 'sad' minor sound using the 3-4 rule.7 min - Essential Minor Chords
Learning Am, Em, and Dm to add emotional depth to your playing.6 min - Smooth Chord Transitions
Techniques for moving between chords without losing the beat.6 min
3
Rhythm and Two-Handed Coordination
Develop independent roles for the left and right hands.
- Feeling the 4/4 Beat
Understanding the standard time signature used in contemporary music.5 min - Left-Hand Bass Basics
Playing single-note root bass lines to anchor the harmony.6 min - Right-Hand Rhythmic Comping
Playing chords on the beat to create a steady rhythmic pulse.6 min - Putting Hands Together
Coordinating a simple left-hand bass with right-hand chords.7 min - The Pop 'Push' Rhythm
Introducing simple syncopation to make your playing sound modern.6 min - Expanding the Bass: Octaves
Using octaves in the left hand for a fuller, richer sound.6 min
4
The Language of Modern Songs
Learn common progressions and more complex chord types.
- The Famous 4-Chord Loop
Mastering the I-V-vi-IV progression used in hundreds of hits.7 min - Slash Chords Explained
Reading chords like C/E to create sophisticated bass movement.6 min - Transposing the Loop
Playing the 4-chord progression in different keys (C major and G major).6 min - The 'Sad' Progression
Exploring common minor-key progressions for rock and ballads.6 min - Tension and Resolution
How chords move from 'unstable' to 'home' in a song.5 min
5
Reading Charts and Ear Training
Translate what you see and hear into piano playing.
- How to Read Chord Charts
Decoding lyrics with chord symbols placed above them.6 min - Navigating Lead Sheets
Understanding melody lines and measure markers in a lead sheet.6 min - Ear Training: Melody Hunting
Using 'trial and error' and intervals to find simple melodies by ear.7 min - Identifying Major vs Minor by Ear
Developing the 'musical muscle' to hear the quality of a chord.5 min - Hearing the Change
Training your ear to recognize when the bass note moves to a new chord.7 min
6
Song Structure and Performance
Arrange a full song and prepare for performance.
- Anatomy of a Pop Song
Identifying Verse, Chorus, and Bridge sections.5 min - Dynamic Storytelling
Using volume and density to differentiate song sections.6 min - Filling the Space
Techniques to make a simple chord chart sound like a full arrangement.7 min - Performance Mindset
How to keep playing through mistakes and maintain the groove.5 min
The 'Chart-to-Performance' Challenge
Choose a provided contemporary chord chart (or one of your favorite songs). You will create a full two-handed arrangement including a specific left-hand bass pattern, a rhythmic right-hand accompaniment, and at least one slash chord.
What you'll get
-
📜
Certificate of completion
Add it to your LinkedIn profile -
💬
Personal AI tutor
Stuck on a lesson? Ask your built-in tutor anything, any time. -
🎧
Audio version included
Learn on the go — no screen needed -
♾️
Lifetime access
Come back anytime, no expiry -
📱
Phone or computer
Works anywhere, any device -
💸
14-day refund
No questions asked -
⚡
Short & focused
3h of practical content
Certificate of completion
Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Learners also took
Comprehensive Music Theory: From Core Foundations to Songwriting
English Foundations for Kids and Parents Through Music
Practical Lyric Writing: Crafting Memorable Pop Song Lyrics
Foundations of Modern Music Theory
Frequently asked
What do I need to take this course? +
Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.
How do I pay? +
By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
How long will I have access? +
Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.
Will I get a certificate? +
Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
Get 10 courses a month
Members get 10 courses of their choice every month for ₮0. No per-course charges — you pay only the subscription.
- ✓ 10 courses every month
- ✓ Cancel anytime
Renews monthly. Unused courses expire at the end of each billing month.