Piano Basics and Essentials
A course by David Snyder , Piano Instructor and Composer
Learn piano basics and essentials to read notes, navigate the keyboard, and compose your own music confidently

Learn piano basics and essentials to read notes, navigate the keyboard, and compose your own music confidently
Unlock the world of piano with a dynamic course designed to turn beginners into confident musicians. Start with the essentials and progress through fun, engaging lessons that teach music theory, note reading, and song composition. You'll gain valuable skills without getting tangled in unnecessary music jargon, focusing on what's truly important: playing the piano. Each unit builds on the last, from finger positioning and the basics of the piano to advanced music reading and practice techniques.
By the end, you'll not only be playing music but also creating your own compositions. Develop your understanding of chords and scales to play any song, and venture into the realm of improvisation. This course caters to absolute beginners and those wanting to refresh their skills, offering a comprehensive foundation that supports lifelong musical enjoyment. Get ready to explore, play, and create music that resonates with you, all while having fun at the piano.
What will you learn in this online course?
33 lessons & 53 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (2)
- 795 students
- 33 lessons (5h 57m)
- 53 additional resources (23 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create your own piano song and confidently play music by mastering music theory, reading notes, and composing melodies. Develop skills to position yourself effectively at the piano, understand chords, and integrate melodies, culminating in a personalized musical piece.
Who is this online course for?
This course is perfect for beginners eager to explore the piano, whether they've never played before, haven't played in years, or only know a few tunes. It offers a solid foundation for lifelong musical enjoyment, requiring just a piano and practice space.
Requirements and materials
A piano and a regular practice space are essential. Prior musical experience isn't needed. Dive in with enthusiasm and an open mind. A consistent practice routine and access to a device for online resources are all you need to start your musical journey.
Reviews

A course by David Snyder
David Snyder, a pianist, composer, and performer, is known for his dynamic artistry and innovative approach to music. Growing up in Grand Forks, ND, David's passion for the piano was evident from a young age. He honed his skills under the guidance of two classical teachers, developing a strong foundation in classical music which later became the backbone of his diverse musical influences. His early exposure to teaching allowed him to share his love for the instrument, starting with lessons for children when he was only 14. Despite stepping away from classical piano due to creative disagreements, David rekindled his love for the piano through composition and improvisation, eventually sharing his work on social media.
David's career took a remarkable turn as he gained recognition for his compositions, leading to performances with renowned artists such as Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. His versatility as a musician is evident in his ability to seamlessly integrate classical, jazz, rock, and cinematic elements into his work. David's journey has been highlighted by his participation in America's Got Talent and a nationwide tour that showcased his unique blend of comedy, improvisation, and musical storytelling. Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to create, perform, and inspire aspiring musicians through his engaging online content and courses.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Understanding the Piano
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The Basics of the Piano
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Finger Positioning and Posture
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Learning the Notes 1
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Learning the Notes 2
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Playing the First Scale and Chord 1
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Playing the First Scale and Chord 2
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Warm-Up Exercises
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U3
Learning to Read Music
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Learning Rhythm and Notes 1
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Learning Rhythm and Notes 2
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Understanding the Staff 1
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Understanding the Staff 2
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Piano Articulation 1
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Piano Articulation 2
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Piano Articulation 3
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U4
Reading and Practicing Music
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Advanced Concepts 1
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Advanced Concepts 2
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Advanced Concepts 3
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Reading Music 1
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Reading Music 2
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Reading Music 3
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Tools to Stay Sharp
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U5
Music Theory and Playing Songs
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The Power of Music Theory 1
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The Power of Music Theory 2
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Understanding Major and Minor Scales 1
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Understanding Major and Minor Scales 2
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Learning Chords 1
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Learning Chords 2
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Learn Any Song
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U6
Making Your Own Music
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Creating the First Melody
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How to Make Emotional Music 1
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How to Make Emotional Music 2
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FP
Final project
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Piano Basics and Essentials
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
elenaestudio25
PlusExcelente curso, con una planificación ideal para comenzar a aprender el lenguaje musical y a expresarse con música.
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chibilovespurple
Still at Unit 3 but just want to leave a review. I learned piano 10 years ago and thought I had already quit until I found your class. You’re the first teacher who helped me truly understand scales and chords, and reignited my passion for piano. Wishing you lots of success on this journey!