Piano Keys & Music Technology Course Overview

LEVEL 1: Musical Literacy & Keyboard Familiarity.

Focus:

- Keyboard geography, fingering, posture  

- Rhythmic patterns & note values  

- Intro to digital pianos and MIDI  

- Basic DAW orientation (GarageBand/Audacity)

What to Expect:

Play basic melodies, scales, and chords. Explore your first loop-based creation using DAW.

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LEVEL 2: Technique & Music Tech Foundations

Focus:

- Major scales, triads, simple harmonies  

- Introduction to chord progressions  

- Recording short audio clips  

- Signal flow, input/output concepts

What to Expect:  

Piano technique development + first audio recording using DAW.

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LEVEL 3: Applied Theory & MIDI Mastery I

Focus:

- Intervals, Key Signatures, Time Signatures  

- Playing melodies with accompaniment  

- MIDI programming basics  

- Using keyboard controllers in production

What to Expect:

Play and record a short piece using MIDI instruments.

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LEVEL 4: Chord Progressions & Audio Arrangement.

Focus:

- ii–V–I progressions, inversions  

- Intro to accompaniment styles (Pop, Gospel)  

- Song structuring and layering in DAWs  

- Intro to metronomes, quantization, editing

What to Expect:

Students perform solo and produce their own simple instrumental track.

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LEVEL 5: Intermediate Performance & Mixing

Focus:

- Improvisation & dynamic control  

- Genre-based piano playing (Afrobeat, Neo-soul)  

- Equalization, panning, reverb  

- Using plugins and effects

What to Expect: 

Live keyboard jam session + mix & master a 2-track demo.

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LEVEL 6: Music Arrangement & Ensemble Collaboration

Focus:

- Transposition & modulation  

- Playing with vocalists/instruments  

- Collaborative projects in studio/live setting  

- Creating stems and instrumental backups

What to Expect:

Perform in a Live Room session and produce an ensemble arrangement.

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LEVEL 7: Scoring & Production Design

Focus:

- Writing lead sheets and simple scores  

- Producing music for short films/adverts  

- MIDI orchestration  

- Syncing audio with visuals

What to Expect:  

Scoring project + keyboard production of original soundtrack.

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LEVEL 8: Stage Performance & Advanced Tech Tools

Focus:

- Keyboard stage setup  

- Advanced layering, split, transposing  

- Using MainStage/Live Performance software  

- Advanced synth & patch design

What to Expect:

Full-length performance + live-triggered tech performance.

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LEVEL 9: Professional Showcase & Portfolio

Focus:

- Preparing demo reel  

- Producing/arranging for a client  

- Final live presentation of works  

- Industry standards & etiquette  

What to Expect:

Public showcase performance, production portfolio submission, and industry guest feedback.

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Career Outcomes:

Graduates can function as:  

- Performing Keyboardists  

- Music Producers  

- MIDI Programmers  

- Studio/Live Sound Techs  

- Music Directors  

- Film/Game/Ad Music Creators

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Piano Keys & Music Technology Tuition Catalog