The Ultimate Piano Chords Course – for Piano & Keyboard Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment.
Module 1: Introduction & Course Foundations
Estimated time: 0.3 hours
- Course overview and learning objectives
- Notation refresher for chord symbols and staff reading
- Keyboard geography and chord shape positioning
Module 2: Major & Minor Chords
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Building major and minor triads in root position
- Forming first inversions of major and minor chords
- Hands-together exercises for stable voicing
Module 3: Seventh Chords & Variations
Estimated time: 0.7 hours
- Constructing dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, and half-diminished chords
- Voicing patterns for seventh chords
- Applying drop-2 techniques for richer harmony
Module 4: Extended & Altered Chords
Estimated time: 0.8 hours
- Adding 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths to chords
- Creating augmented and diminished extensions
- Practical exercises for clean tone stacking
Module 5: Suspended Chords & Modal Flavors
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Understanding and playing Sus2 and Sus4 chords
- Incorporating modal flavors (Dorian, Mixolydian sus)
- Using suspensions in standard progressions
Module 6: Inversions & Smooth Voice Leading
Estimated time: 0.7 hours
- Learning all inversion shapes for triads and seventh chords
- Connecting chords with minimal hand movement
- Practicing smooth voice leading across inversions
Module 7: Chord Progressions & Substitutions
Estimated time: 0.8 hours
- Building common progressions (I–vi–IV–V, ii–V–I)
- Applying tritone substitution
- Walking bass and inner-voice movement exercises
Module 8: Putting It All Together: Song Application
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Applying chords to well-known standards
- Arranging original musical sketches
- Tips for songwriting, arranging, and comping in various styles
Prerequisites
- Basic familiarity with piano keyboard layout
- Understanding of simple musical notation
- No prior chord knowledge required
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Build and play all core chord types across the keyboard
- Master seventh, extended, and altered chords for richer harmony
- Use inversions and voicings for smooth chord transitions
- Apply chord substitution and modal interchange in progressions
- Improvise and compose accompaniments using voice leading and chord families