Piano & Keyboard Fundamentals 1
The piano is the perfect place to start your musical journey. This course will take you from being an absolute beginner to playing complete songs with both hands, exploring various musical styles along the way.
In this course, you will build the foundational skills needed to play some of your favorite songs. You’ll be able to play your first song within the first week, and as you progress, you’ll learn to read notes and identify efficient finger patterns. Throughout the four weeks, you will play pieces from a variety of musical styles, including classical, blues, and pop, leading up to a two-handed arrangement of Beethoven’s “An die Freude” (“Ode to Joy”).
Whether your goal is solo performance, accompaniment, ensemble playing, or simply developing new skills, this guided and hands-on course will lay the groundwork for a successful future in piano and keyboard performance.
What you will learn:
| ✔ | Recognize and apply basic music fundamentals (e.g., rhythm, intervals, expression markings) on the piano or keyboard |
| ✔ | Learn the basics of note reading |
| ✔ | Use appropriate body posture and hand positioning to play freely and avoid injury |
| ✔ | Play songs in a variety of styles, including pop, blues, and classical |
| ✔ | Create your own arrangements on piano or keyboard |
Tuition
$299
Rates increases Jan. 1
Ages
Teens: Grades 6-12
Adult Learners: 18+
 | Expert guidance Receive direct, personalized feedback from a professional artist. |
 | Learn on your own schedule Explore meaningful instruction in about five hours a week, over four weeks. |
 | Collaborate Work with your instructor and peers through messaging or optional real-time weekly classes. |
 | Real growth Develop artistic skills and projects that are important to you in 30 days. |
- Computer or mobile device with Internet and camera. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
- Electric or acoustic keyboard/piano, minimum of 61-keys
- Sustain/damper pedal (an example can be found here)
No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).
Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.
This is one of three courses needed to complete the:
• Piano & Keyboard Fundamentals certificate program
• Musicianship Skills certificate program
Our online arts certificate programs are perfect for...
✔ Adults looking to boost their creative résumé and LinkedIn profile
✔ Teens who want to earn high school credit for their passion
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.
What are students saying?
Students who enrolled in piano & keyboard courses rated their experience 4.9 out of 5.
Interlochen Online's Learning Experience
World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.
Questions? Speak with an Advisor.
Email: online@interlochen.org
Phone: 231.276.5990
You can also schedule an appointment.
Play Your Next Song with Confidence
Get access to Six Steps to Learning a New Song on Piano & Keyboard, an exclusive guide developed by Interlochen Online faculty.
