Directed by The Great Courses

Pamela D. Pike

Discover how anyone can learn to play the piano with the right guidance and a little encouragement. These 36 accessible episodes provide the building blocks you need to go from interested novice to expressive player. Blending music theory and history with hands-on examples and step-by-step instruction, Professor Pamela D. Pike shows you how to pick up this marvelous musical skill

Rated TVPG

Mode of access: World Wide Web

Episode 1

Basic Piano Rhythm and Fingering

Episode 2

Pitch and Off-Staff Notation

Episode 3

Tonic and Dominant Harmony

Episode 4

Intervals and Basic Notation

Episode 5

Major Chords and Simple Accompaniment

Episode 6

Fourths, Accidentals, and Relaxation

Episode 7

Primary Chords

Episode 8

Transposition at the Piano

Episode 9

Chord Inversions

Episode 10

Chord Progressions and Arpeggios

Episode 11

Accompaniment Patterns and Sight-Reading

Episode 12

Harmonization and Damper Pedal

Episode 13

Minor Finger Patterns and Chords

Episode 14

Articulation: Legato and Staccato

Episode 15

One-Octave Major Scales and Major Intervals

Episode 16

Dotted Rhythms and Isolated Repetition

Episode 17

Secondary Chords and More Dotted Rhythms

Episode 18

Sixteenth Notes and More Secondary Chords

Episode 19

Compound Meter and Technique

Episode 20

Parallel Major and Minor Keys

Episode 21

Three Forms of the Minor Scale and Syncopation

Episode 22

Artistic Expression and More Minor Keys

Episode 23

The Classical Period and Fortepianos

Episode 24

Seventh Chords and Sonata Form

Episode 25

Sight-Reading and Technique

Episode 26

The Romantic Period and Seventh-Chord Arpeggios

Episode 27

Extended Arpeggios and Pianist as Artist

Episode 28

More Romantic Repertoire

Episode 29

Sonata Form Revisited

Episode 30

The Baroque Era and Harpsichords

Episode 31

Baroque Repertoire

Episode 32

Deliberate Practice and Learning Music

Episode 33

The 20th Century and Modern Music

Episode 34

Chorale-Style Repertoire

Episode 35

Impressionism and the Una Corda Pedal

Episode 36

Triplets and Continuing Piano Study