Piano Basics and Essentials
A course by David Snyder , Guides students in piano improvisation

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
- 94% positive reviews (16)
- 3,070 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

David Snyder
A course by David Snyder
David Snyder is a highly acclaimed pianist, composer, and performer based in Los Angeles, California. His journey with the piano began at a young age in Grand Forks, ND, where he cultivated a deep love for music. With a strong foundation in classical music, he honed his skills and eventually ventured into composing and improvising with his family during high school. His passion for sharing the joy of music led him to social media, where he quickly gained a large following by posting his compositions and improvisations. Snyder's diverse career includes composing for films and commercials, performing with renowned artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Flo Rida, and even appearing on America's Got Talent.
Snyder's music is a unique blend of classical, jazz, rock, and cinematic elements, reflecting his wide-ranging influences and personal experiences. He has released over 50 piano tracks and embarked on a nationwide tour, captivating audiences with his storytelling through music. His album, "The Piano Says It Better," showcases his cinematic compositions and his ability to evoke emotions through sound. Residing in Los Angeles, David continues to compose, perform, and inspire others through his engaging social media presence, sharing the transformative power of music with a global audience.
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.
agustinarielnieves
muy mala traduccion
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clarisjohnathan
PlusThe best course for learning piano ever, unlike YouTube where they don't teach you the basics and really explain to you how everything comes into play.
pipechavez_me
Me Encata
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gnaknash
PlusThis is a great straightforward course I'll jump for
juand_tovarr
Realmente es muy práctico y bien diseñado para cualquier tipo de persona
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