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What if you could perform your compositions effortlessly on the piano, without spending hours plucking at notes in frustration?

Discover the step-by-step system for developing your keyboard skills so you can play the piano easily without any frustration, so you can stay inspired and focus on what matters most: your music.  
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"As someone who was starting out with digital composing and MIDI orchestration, I felt it was important to learn some of the basics of piano playing. I never learnt to play and I was really looking for a straightforward piano playing basics course.

I found "Piano Skills for the Composer & Songwriter" course by Chris Siu to be exactly what I needed. Chris has divided the course into bitesize segments that are perfect to practice in small 10 to 20 minute sessions, but can be combined into a longer sessions as well.

The explanations are clear and concise, but still pack all the information needed. As of the first lesson I was already feeling like I could move around on the keyboard with more confidence.

I highly recommend the course to anyone wanting to learn piano!"

- Mike C. (student)

Being able to play the piano is essential for a quick & efficient workflow.

 

As songwriters and media composers, we're working with MIDI controllers and electric pianos on a near-daily basis! They're one of the most commonly found pieces of equipment in music studios around the world, and many famous artists are able to lay their ideas down quickly using the keyboard. 
 
So why do so many artists and composers feel intimated and lost when it comes to playing the piano and figuring out ideas by ear?
 
And why is being able to play the piano so important? 

The piano is the most important instrument to be able to play if you want to write music, understand theory, and improvise with ease.

 
Yes, I said it. And it's true! 
 
The reason why the piano is so popular around the world, and so many kids starting learning to play at a young age is because the instrument is very visual, easy to understand, and polyphonic. 
 
This means that the piano can play multiple notes at one time, allowing you to perform melody and harmony at the same time, create gorgeous textures, and experience the dynamic and tonal range across the entire instrument. 
 
There are other polyphonic instruments out there (like the harp, guitar, and strings), but most songs and pieces originate from piano sketches. And once you understand how it works, it takes virtually no time to set up and record! 

I grew up learning the piano from a young age.

 
I began my musical journey with classical piano lessons at the age of 5. Yep, I was one of those kids who practiced for 4-5 hours a day, and eventually achieved my ARCT Piano Diploma at the age of 14.
 
As my hunger for music continued to develop, I entered competitions and festivals and attended masterclasses around the world, refining my skills and learning a variety of repertoire ranging from the Baroque greats like Bach and Handel to the Post-Romantic era like Rachmaninoff and Debussy. 
 
After graduating high school, I attended the University of Toronto for Classical Piano Performance, where I received my Bachelor's degree and began doubling down on composition and teaching after graduating from the program.
 
As a composer and songwriter, being able to play the piano and use it as a vehicle for my expression really came in handy, and I became very thankful for all the musical education my parents put me through as a child. 
 
I never felt stuck or frustrated because I couldn't output my ideas into my DAW, and writing music was always a smooth and enjoyable experience.  

But that wasn't the case for many of my musical peers!

 
Many people around me were telling me that they felt unmotivated and frustrated, because they didn't have the means to record their ideas quickly!
 
Some composers would draw in the notes by hand, which could take hours, while others would pluck individual notes on the keyboard until they resembled a melody or chord progression, which becomes a time suck.
 
I recently asked my colleagues what they were frustrated with, and the answers always followed a certain pattern:
  • I can't translate my ideas to the piano quickly!
  • I lose inspiration by spending hours on tweaking MIDI.
  • I'd like to orchestrate and write more idiomatically for instuments using the piano!
  • My hands aren't independent enough, I need more fundamental technique.
  • I'd like to be able to sing and play at the same time, lead a band, or improvise easier.  
The great news is, learning to play the piano and compose using the piano is not rocket science!
 
There's a very specific method I like to teach my students to not only play the piano, but to develop their ear and link it to composition.
 
And that's what I'd like to share with you.

Introducing...

 My step-by-step method for learning the piano, developing your inner/outer ear, and composing music without any frustrations or hassles.

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"As I began my composing journey I only casually played the piano, but my lack of skill forced me to compose using the keyboard and mouse. This method works, but it is very time consuming.

Seeing composers like Chris quickly create ideas on the piano made me realize that being able to play the piano can only enhance my composing skills, and I started to take my piano practice more seriously.

I was following tutorials online until Chris announced he was making a piano course. Being a student in Chris's courses, I already had familiarity with his piano and composing skills and I enjoy his teaching style, so I knew this course would be much more than just another piano course.

This course is what I expected and much more. With Chris' course, I now have structure to my daily practice routine and I am more motivated to practice.

Going through the course I was already seeing improvements and was gaining the confidence I needed to compose with my MIDI keyboard more. The bonus video on playing the piano for mockups made me realize how important playing in parts as a performer can enhance the realism of the samples.

I highly recommend this course!"


- Jeremy S. (student)

This course will allow you to:

 

Speed Up Your Composing Workflow

When you're writing music, the last thing you want is to be hampered by your lack of playing ability. This program will allow you to think of an idea and play it instantly.

 

Play By Ear

Every composer's dream is to be able to play what they hear or think of on command. This allows us to get our ideas down quickly and efficiently.

 

Perform Smooth Scales and Chord Progressions

Learn the essential scales, chord progressions, and left hand patterns that make up the fundamentals of Western music.

 

Improvise with Ease

Whether you want to play live for a band or simply play for your own enjoyment, I'll show you how to improvise in real time.

 

Develop Hand Independence and Control

Having trouble controlling your hands independently or putting them together? We'll discuss how to solve this problem once and for all.

“Chris, you blew my mind with the comment that we should practice hands separate to competency before putting them together. I've always struggled with hands-together, and now I know why. It's because I was splitting my brain in half!

Thank you for today's daily epiphany!”

- Brian H. (composer) 

Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters is organized into 5 core modules:

 

 

Module 1 – An Overview of the Piano

 
  • How the piano is designed and laid out in an intuitive manner
  • Advice for proper posture to ensure you can play with comfortability and ease
  • Specific piano exercises to improve your dexterity and hand control
  • A crash course on reading notation, with included examples
 

Module 2 – Playing Fundamentals

 
  • The building blocks of major and minor scales, with step-by-step instruction
  • How to perform solid and broken chords for simple accompaniment  
  • A unique scale/chord exercise that improves your technique and sounds like a song at the same time!
  • My method for spontaneous voice leading, and why you need to be able to do this for smooth performances
 

Module 3 – Applying Technique to Real Music 

 
  • The core exercises I practice with students daily to improve dexterity and develop an ear for texture
  • Essential guidance on how to practice music of increasing difficulty so you can practice on your own without getting stuck
  • How I approach learning new music, from the foundations to the finer details
  • Simple methods for left hand accompaniment patterns so you can come up with your own arrangements in no time! 

 

Module 4 – Essential Ear Training 

 
  • Why singing scales and intervals is so crucial for analyzing melodies
  • How to hear and sing chords and their inversions easily  
  • One of my favourite tools to use for consistent ear training practice that will help you improve significantly 
  • A simple method for transcribing music by ear to the piano so you can begin playing by ear

 

Module 5 – Composition and Improvisation 

 
  • My personal framework for improvising on the spot with confidence
  • How to create beautiful melodies and harmonies using simple music theory
  • My favourite chord voicings for self-accompaniment and collaboration
  • An analysis of classical, pop, and jazz styles to dissect how you can improvise and play in a variety of genres

Homework and action steps included!

 

All of the content is presented through video format for the best learning experience. In addition, you'll also be provided with a written summary of each topic below the corresponding video. 

Throughout the course, I've laid out 'next steps', so you can follow along with me, step-by-step, and ensure that you're progressing without any hiccups! 

"As someone who lacks any formal training, this course did a great job of teaching me the basics and giving me an idea of how to practice moving forward.
 
Before this course, I struggled to understand how to actually improvise an entire composition. Now I feel equipped with the tools I need to get work done fast like never before.
 
I would recommend this to any self-taught composer looking to learn the technique they need to try out their ideas quickly and efficiently."
 

- Nathan (student)

Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters is for you if:

  • You're ready to take control of your piano playing, and stop struggling for basic melodies and chord voicings
  • You not only want to play the piano, but understand how to apply these skills to composition
  • You want to discover how to play by ear and lay down your ideas in a quick and efficient manner
  • You're looking for new left hand patterns to make your accompaniments more interesting, and stop playing the same lines over and over
  • You want to improve your sight-reading skills so you can simply sit down and play without struggling to read the sheet music
  • You're willing to put in the practice and discipline required to see real results

 

This is NOT for you if:

  • You're an advanced pianist looking for a classically-based piano program. Although I do cover a few advanced techniques, this is not a course going over Classical/Romantic literature; rather for composers looking to improve their fundamental playing and composing skills at the piano. 
  • You expect to improve without putting in the work. I can’t promise you any results unless you put in the practice and dedicate a certain amount of time every day/week to put what you learn into practice. 

So how much does this course cost?

 

The obvious question is, how much will this program cost? Well, when I was taking private lessons, they ranged from $80/hour to $200/hour. Calculate that over the course of a year and that comes out to over $10,000/year! 
 
While my 4-year university program was very good and I learned a lot from my teachers, it cost over $8,000/year, so you can see how that cost added up as well.
 
My private piano and theory lessons start at $150/hour, and while my students really enjoy the lessons, it's not a feasible option for everyone.
 
I wanted to make this course as accessible for you as possible, and you deserve to be able to play the piano at a sufficient level without breaking the bank. So if you join today, you'll get access immediately with a one-time payment of $247! 
 

Just click the button below to get started!

Join Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters today!

Click the button to get instant access for just one simple payment of $247!

 

GET STARTED NOW

"Chris's class "Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters" provides a comprehensive and easy to understand approach to the complex topic of learning how to play the piano in a way that supports composition and songwriting.

Basic keyboard skills is a must for both composers and songwriters who work in a DAW based environment. Chris not only clearly explains fundamental keyboard skills but also applies them to real musical examples with emphasis on beginning sight reading, ear training and improvisation.

As a guitar player, I found this class extremely helpful in further developing my understanding of the keyboard.

I highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to improve their keyboard skills as an aid to composition."


- Wayne (student)

Don't forget...it's 100% risk free.

 

I’ve packed a lot into this course because not only do I want you to create the music that I know you can make, but I want to guarantee that you don’t fail.

And to make it a no-brainer deal for you I’m giving you a 30 day 100% money-back guarantee with your purchase today.

That’s right: Go through the course, follow the steps, put in the work, and if you don’t love it in the first 30 days of your purchase, send me an email and I’ll refund you immediately. No questions asked, no hard feelings.

If Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters doesn’t work for you, I’d much prefer for you to take your money and invest it where you will be happier and get results. I just want you to unlock your playing potential!

 

Also, if you join today, you'll receive some incredible bonuses:  

Bonus 1 - Advanced Tips for Higher Level Playing

 
While the course delivers the fundamentals behind piano playing, I wanted to give you some extra advanced tips that can help you with more difficult repertoire, should you come to it. We'll discuss: 

  • How to perform and perfect large leaps around the piano
  • My method for quick trills and repeated notes
  • How to develop a consistent weight and control across the keyboard
  • Why relaxation is the key to performing effortlessly

Bonus 2 - Piano Skills for Orchestral Mockups

 
Although you may be proficient on the piano, using the keyboard for virtual instruments is a completely different beast altogether. In this video we'll discuss:
 
  • The mindset behind an orchestrator
  • Why it's so important to write linearly opposed to vertically
  • How I arrange for strings in a smooth and flowing piece
  • Special considerations for idiomatic writing

Bonus 3 - Sightreading Lead Sheets vs. Classical Music

 
In this bonus, you'll see my approach on how I sightread a lead sheet (melody only + chord symbols) vs. a classical score (notation completely written out). 
 
We'll cover chord voicings, smooth voice leading, and dynamics, among other things. This was a heavily requested topic, so you'll enjoy this one! 

Bonus 4 - 5 Piano Pieces for Every Level

 
When it comes to having a framework for practicing the piano, nothing is better than having recommended repertoire for you to practice. Not only does this give you a system to follow, but it gives you a goal to reach and something to look forward to! This guide will cover:
 
  • Hand-picked recommendations for each piano level
  • Included video performances so you can see and hear each piece
  • Further recommendations for RCM repertoire books, so you can practice any piece you'd like

Bonus 5 - Music Theory Fundamentals Course

 
I also wanted to offer you a complete music theory course for beginners, in case you want to brush up on some concepts that might help you when composing! This is not something I offer anywhere else, and inside we'll cover:
 
  • How to read notes quickly and understand rhythm
  • The circle of 5ths, and how to digest it in a simple way
  • How to write interesting chord progressions that sound beautiful! 
  • How to use secondary dominants to spice up your harmony further
  • And much more!

Bonus 6 - Customized Video Feedback

 
We all understand the value of self-study, but nothing comes close to the value of having individualized instruction and customized feedback. When you purchase today, you will have access to a one-time feedback video, where you can send me a video of you playing the piano, and I will provide feedback and critique to help you improve. We'll cover details such as:
 
  • Ensuring your posture and hand positioning is correct
  • How to play smoothly, bringing out individual voices and controlling the hands
  • Developing sensitivity at the piano, and the smaller details required to add finesse to your performance
  • Answering any questions you might have along the way! 

Some common questions:

 

Will I have lifetime access to the course?

Of course (no pun intended :D)! Once you sign up, you’ll have lifetime access to the material, no matter what. Even if I update the course with new material, you’ll receive it at no extra cost! 
 
 
How long will it take to go through the material? Is it self-paced? 
 
The course is entirely self-paced, meaning you’ll have access to all the material as soon as you sign up. You can go through the videos in any order you’d like, although I’d recommend you to watch them in order for maximum results and to make sure all the bases are covered. You could binge it all in an afternoon, or spread it out to prevent information overload! It’s all up to you.  
 
 
How much music theory is covered in this course? 
 
While the fundamentals of music theory are covered in detail (notation, scales, chords), this course focuses on applying that theory to piano playing as quickly as possible. The best way to really learn is to put in the physical practice, so once we discuss these fundamental concepts, you'll be able to start exercising them right away. Keep in mind, the bonus music theory fundamentals course will fill in the rest of the theory gaps! 
 

What can I expect if I put in the work and the practice?

That in itself is a wonderful goal. Setting specific deadlines and acting upon them is the only way we actually improve at our craft. If you put in the time and energy, you'll be able to play the piano smoothly with both hands, improvise chords and melodies, sightread music, and play the music you hear in your head or anywhere else by ear. 

“I literally love everything about this course Chris! Not to mention the sheets we can print off and follow along with the videos. I greatly appreciate this!”

- Cc (student) 

Get access to Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters today!

Click the button below to get started instantly!

JOIN THE COURSE TODAY!

See how this course helped award-winning pianist Yiwei!

 

Don't want the bonuses?

 

If for some reason you don't want the bonuses, not to worry! You can purchase the core version of the course and still receive all the fundamental material. Just keep in mind, you won't receive the advanced techniques video, the class on piano skills for orchestration, a lesson on sightreading different styles, my music theory fundamentals course, and the guide on 5 pieces for each piano level. 

  • All 5 core modules of the Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters program with step-by-step training
  • Included sheet music and further resources to study from and reinforce what you learn
  • Learn the fundamentals of piano playing for easier composing, improvising, and transcription
  • BONUS: Advanced techniques for the intermediate-advanced pianist 
  • BONUS: Piano Skills for Orchestral Mockups
  • BONUS: Sightreading Lead Sheets vs. Classical Music
  • BONUS: 5 Piano Pieces for Every Level
  • BONUS: Music Theory Fundamentals Course 
  • BONUS: Personalized Video Feedback

You can purchase the Silver version of Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters for one payment of $197.

“If you're planning to enhance your musicality and improve your workflow at the same time, Christopher's piano course is the way to go.

Instead of having to research each topic on your own, Christopher puts all the relevant topics together and teaches them in a very playful manner, which makes it very easy to follow and even easier to execute.

When I started out my composer journey two years ago, I most certainly wish I had this course back then.

Christopher is a great teacher and it doesn't matter at all what type of music you're composing - this course is the way to go!”


- Shaheen F. (composer) 

Choose the version of the course that's right for you!

SILVER

$197

  • All 5 core modules of the Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters program with step-by-step training
  • Included sheet music and further resources to study from and reinforce what you learn
  • Learn the fundamentals of piano playing for easier composing, improvising, and transcription
  • Lifetime access!
  • BONUS: Advanced techniques for the intermediate-advanced pianist 
  • BONUS: Piano Skills for Orchestral Mockups
  • BONUS: Sightreading Lead Sheets vs. Classical Music
  • BONUS: 5 Piano Pieces for Every Level
  • BONUS: Music Theory Fundamentals Course 
  • BONUS: Personalized Video Feedback  
ADD TO CART

GOLD

$247

BEST VALUE

  • All 5 core modules of the Piano Skills for Composers and Songwriters program with step-by-step training
  • Included sheet music and further resources to study from and reinforce what you learn
  • Learn the fundamentals of piano playing for easier composing, improvising, and transcription 
  • Lifetime access!
  • BONUS: Advanced techniques for the intermediate-advanced pianist 
  • BONUS: Piano Skills for Orchestral Mockups
  • BONUS: Sightreading Lead Sheets vs. Classical Music
  • BONUS: 5 Piano Pieces for Every Level
  • BONUS: Music Theory Fundamentals Course 
  • BONUS: Personalized Video Feedback
ADD TO CART

There are 2 types of people.

 

Some composers remain frustrated with their workflow. They can't get their ideas out onto the piano, and have trouble playing what they hear in an efficient manner.

Others play with ease, keep their inspiration flowing, and are simply able to get their work done in less time with better results.

Which is more appealing to you?

It can really start to weigh on us when we feel overwhelmed by the daunting task fo learning a new instrument, and all the technique that comes with it. 

But it absolutely doesn’t have to be this way!

If you truly understand how to play the piano by understanding the fundamentals first, then putting them into practice consistently, you will become a better pianist and composer. Guaranteed. 

Imagine a year from today...

 
If all this program did was help you play the piano confidently, gain hand independence and improvise beautifully on the spot, would it be worth it? To be able to sit down, think of an idea and instantly play it on your keyboard like it's second nature? 
 
This is all possible if you understand how to approach the instrument, learn the fundamental techniques required for smooth playing, and develop a determined mindset! 
 
Let’s do this together. Join me inside and I’ll show you exactly what to do! 
JOIN PIANO SKILLS TODAY!