Piano for Singer/Songwriters | Write Songs and Perform Live! Course Syllabus

Overview: This practical, hands-on course is designed for beginner singer-songwriters who want to write songs and perform live with piano accompaniment. Over approximately 6.5 hours, you'll learn to play chords from lead sheets, create compelling progressions, apply pop/rock rhythmic grooves, and seamlessly integrate singing with piano. No prior music reading is required—this course focuses on real-world skills for self-accompaniment and original songwriting.

Module 1: Introduction & Setup

Estimated time: 0.2 hours

• Course orientation
• Navigating lead sheets and chord charts
• Set up your keyboard/DAW
• Load and explore a demo chord chart

Module 2: Basic Harmony Fundamentals

Estimated time: 0.6 hours

• Major and minor triads
• Chord construction
• Root position voicings
• Practice playing and singing triads in C, G, and F major

Module 3: Embellishment & Passing Chords

Estimated time: 0.8 hours

• Using passing chords for smoother transitions
• Chord suspensions
• Inversions in practice
• Insert passing chords into a I–V–vi–IV progression

Module 4: Creating Chord Progressions

Estimated time: 1.0 hours

• Songwriting workflows
• Choosing effective chord progressions
• Modal interchange basics
• Create and record a custom 4-chord progression in two styles

Module 5: Pop/Rock Rhythm Immersion

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Syncopation in pop/rock piano
• Common comping grooves
• Rhythmic motifs
• Practice three guided comping patterns with a metronome

Module 6: Accompanying Yourself

Estimated time: 0.7 hours

• Integrating vocals with piano accompaniment
• Interpreting lead sheets while singing
• Managing dynamics and phrasing
• Perform a simple original or cover song with piano and voice

Prerequisites

• No prior piano experience required
• Basic familiarity with singing or songwriting helpful
• Access to a keyboard or digital audio workstation (DAW)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Play songs from chord charts or lead sheets without reading music notation
• Embellish basic chord progressions with passing chords, inversions, and rhythmic variations
• Apply pop/rock piano comping patterns to enhance songwriting and performance
• Create and record original chord progressions in multiple styles
• Seamlessly integrate vocals and piano to perform original songs live