Specialization in Musical Fundamentals: Learn, Play, and Create

In this class, you will discover the enchanting sound of the world's first guitar: the berimbau.

The Berimbau

Variety of Percussion Instruments

Here I will present some varieties of percussion instruments that reverberate from other forms of percussion.

11m

The Essence of Improvisation

In this class, you will learn to listen to the musicality of things. You will see that it is possible to create rhythms from everyday objects and your own body. Let's music your percussion!

Basic Hand Techniques

Here I will teach basic hand techniques that can be applied to different types of percussive beating instruments.

Timbalada Rhythms and Instruments

En esta clase, presentaré los instrumentos que componen Timbalada y te mostraré cómo tocarlos y manejarlos. Junto con la banda, también podrás escuchar algunos de sus ritmos principales.

The Power of Adapting Instruments

Now I will talk about the possibilities of creating, adapting or modifying the instruments to produce the most varied sounds. Creativity is everything!

Composition vs. Arrangement

Here you can adapt your rhythmic cells giving a different arrangement for each of your compositions.

Recording and Editing: How to Recording Your Rhythmic Cell

To conclude our course, I will give you some tips on how to record and edit your rhythm cell.

First of, I'll cover some initial piano terminology and introduce your practice schedule.

Module 3

Ever dreamed of sitting at a piano and making music from the very first note? David Snyder invites you to explore the essentials of playing, reading, and even composing—without getting lost in technical jargon. This journey is all about building confidence, unlocking creativity, and truly enjoying the process of making music.

31 lessons (7h 21m)

The Basics of the Piano

Finger Positioning and Posture

Now that you understand the piano, we need to discuss how to interact with the piano correctly! This lesson will tell you all you need to know about posture, finger placement, and finger numbers. You’ll also learn your first song!

Let me show you how to interact with the piano, let’s identify the key names, hand positions, half steps, and whole steps. You’ll even learn your first song with note names!

Learning the Notes 1

You'll learn two basic hand positions—middle C and C position—to get comfortable with note names. Using "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Ode to Joy," you'll practice finger placement and reading simple music. Plus, you'll explore half steps, whole steps, and a fun chromatic exercise to build strength and technique!

Learning the Notes 2

Playing the First Scale and Chord 1

This lesson gives you your first dive into music theory! I will teach you to understand what a scale is and how to play any given major scale.

20m

Playing the First Scale and Chord 2

Learn how to build major chords using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a major scale. Chords create harmony, which supports the melody and brings music to life. You'll practice playing scales followed by their matching chords and explore songs in different keys. Keep practicing—this is a game-changer!

Warm-Up Exercises

The past lessons have taught you SO much about the piano, let’s solidify all that we’ve learned by learning some exercises you can practice regularly.

Learning Rhythm and Notes 1

This is the first lesson on reading music! In this video, I will cover note values, and learn to understand and play rhythms.

Learning Rhythm and Notes 2

Let's dive into rhythm by exploring 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures, learning how beats are structured in measures. Through clapping, counting, and playing, you'll practice quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, and whole notes. Using a metronome, you'll develop steady timing and coordination between hands. Rhythm is key!

Understanding the Staff 1

Now that you have mastered the idea of rhythm, it’s time to place those notes and rhythms on the staff. This lesson talks all about the Staff, and it’s vital components for reading music.

Understanding the Staff 2

You're now playing your first songs on the staff! So, let's practice Yankee Doodle, Ode to Joy, and Merrily We Roll Along by following key steps: finding hand positions, identifying the time signature, clapping the rhythm, and then playing slowly. With each song, you'll build confidence reading notes and keeping steady timing.

Let's dive deep into understanding HOW to play the piano more expressively and intentionally, which musicians call “articulation.” This lesson covers important musical notation and strategies that will impact how expressively you play the piano.

Piano Articulation 1

Explore articulation in music, focusing on staccato (short, bouncy notes) and legato (smooth, connected notes). Through hands-on exercises, you'll see how these techniques bring music to life. You'll also practice Leaping Lizards, applying articulation and dynamics to shape expressive, engaging performances.

Piano Articulation 2

Last, but not least, I'll show you how to work with ritardando (gradually slowing down) and fermata (holding a note for extra expression), learning how these techniques add drama and emotion to music. Through "Drop a Beat," you'll practice articulation, dynamics, and musical phrasing. Take it slow, feel the rhythm, and let the music breathe—you're making real progress!

Piano Articulation 3

First of all, I will cover some important concepts that are essential for you to know as a pianist. I'm going to cover rests, tied notes, the fermata, and the repeat sign.

Advanced Concepts 1

You'll learn tied notes, which let you extend a note’s duration across measures by combining their values. This adds expressiveness to your playing. You'll also explore eighth notes, which move twice as fast as quarter notes, and practice counting them with “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” These concepts will refine your rhythm and musical flow.

Advanced Concepts 2

Refine your rhythm skills by practicing eighth notes and learning to count with "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and." You'll apply this to exercises and the song "Your Laugh," focusing on articulation, stretching your fingers, and following dynamics. Master these rhythms, and your playing will become more expressive and fluid.

Advanced Concepts 3

Reading Music 1

This lesson dives into understanding how to play the sharp and flat notes on the piano, how to play “stacked notes”, and how to begin interpreting more advanced sheet music.

11m

Reading Music 2

It's time to teach you how to use the damper pedal to add richness and sustain to your playing. You'll explore pedal notation, proper technique, and when to lift and press to avoid muddiness. Then, you'll apply this to "A Classy Evening," focusing on timing, articulation, and smooth pedal transitions.

Now, you'll dive into black keys, sharps, and flats, learning how they relate to white keys. You'll also explore key signatures, which define the sharps or flats in a song. Applying this, you'll play "Hand in Hand" in the key of D, using tied notes, pedal technique, and expressive phrasing.

Reading Music 3

You have learned so much about reading music over the past 5 lessons. This lesson is a review all you have learned, and give you a launching pad for your note-reading future!

Tools to Stay Sharp

The Power of Music Theory 1

To start this unit on the basics of piano improvisation, we need to understand the building blocks of music, or in other words, MUSIC THEORY. This lesson discusses the value of music theory, and how “music science” can inform your improvisation.

The Power of Music Theory 2

In this lesson, you will practice right-hand improvisation using the G major scale. You'll explore simple melodies, rhythmic patterns, and repetition to build confidence. By analyzing tonal centers, you'll learn how musicians shape improvisations and apply these techniques to your own playing.

Understanding Major and Minor Scales 1

Now that you understand the importance of scales, it’s time to learn them all! This lesson covers ALL scales, major and minor, and even begins to display how you can use a scale to improvise.

Understanding Major and Minor Scales 2

You’ll learn to build minor scales, recognize their connection to major scales, and use the circle of fifths. Discover how relative minors share notes with their major counterparts and apply this to improvisation.

This lesson covers ALL things chords. Throughout this teaching, I will be discussing harmonies, chords, and inversions.

Learning Chords 1

You’ll expand beyond basic triads by learning 12 chord types, including major, minor, diminished, and augmented variations. Using the major scale as a foundation, you'll modify chords to add richness and tension. Practice blocked, broken, and octave chords to develop versatility and enhance your playing.

Learning Chords 2

Now that we understand scales and chords, we have the ability to learn ANY song. This lesson will give you the tools to decipher chord sheets, understand song structure, and begin playing all of your favorite songs.

Learn Any Song

Creating the First Melody

The very first step in creating a song is determining the melody. The melody is the main character of your compositions. This lesson will give you the tools to create your first melody at the piano.

How to Make Emotional Music 1

In this lesson, you'll look into the specifics of making an emotional song. How do you make a composition that feels heart-wrenching, or calming, or thoughtful? Let’s start learning.

How to Make Emotional Music 2

To finish this unit, you'll learn five key techniques to make your playing more emotional: pedal use, dynamics, articulation, contrast, and harmonic tension (absence from the tonic). You'll also learn how minor vs. major chords shape mood. By applying these concepts, you’ll bring depth to your compositions and express your unique musical story. Keep creating!

In this lesson, I will help you choose your first guitar, discussing the differences between acoustic and electric guitars. We'll explore the factors to consider and how to trust your instincts when selecting a guitar that excites you to play.

Module 4

Forget the pressure—learning guitar can be simple, fun, and truly rewarding. With Michelle Joyce as your guide, you’ll explore everything from choosing the right guitar and tuning it, to playing your first chords and songs with confidence. Step by step, you’ll build a strong foundation that makes playing feel natural from the very beginning.

13 lessons (2h 12m)

Choosing Your Guitar

We'll explore the parts of an acoustic guitar, from the headstock to the body, understanding each part's function. This foundational knowledge will help you feel more comfortable with your instrument.

Guitar Anatomy

Tuning and Ear Training

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to tune your guitar and explain the importance of ear training. Proper tuning is essential for good sound and developing your musical ear.

Guitar Yoga + Form (Proper Posture and Handling)

In this lesson, I will discuss correct posture and how to hold the guitar to avoid pain and injury. I will also share exercises to help posture and flexibility, ensuring a comfortable and efficient playing experience.

Using a Pick vs. Fingers

I'll discuss the pros and cons of using a pick versus strumming with your fingers. You'll experiment with both methods to see what feels and sounds best.

Your First Note and Chords

In this lesson, you'll learn how to play your first note and chord and read chord charts. We'll start with simple chords like E minor and build from there.

Tips for Perfect Chords

I’ll share my top ten tips for playing clean and flawless chords. We'll focus on form, trimming nails, and developing good habits for clear sound.

We'll work on transitioning smoothly between chords, which is essential for playing songs. You'll practice chord memorization and techniques to improve your transitions.

Chord Transitions

Structuring Your Practice

Finger pain is normal when learning guitar. Massage your fingertips gently to ease discomfort. Calluses will form, protecting your fingers with consistent practice. Set realistic goals, practice regularly, and stay disciplined even when unmotivated. Use cues and rewards to build habits, making practice enjoyable. Track your progress and prioritize accuracy over speed for effective learning.

Progressing with Chords and Strumming

In this lesson, I cover the basics of fingerpicking, an essential technique for more intricate guitar playing. I’ll guide you through maintaining relaxed arm position and keeping your picking hand anchored near the bridge for stability.

Introduction to Fingerpicking

In this lesson, we cover the basics of fingerpicking, which is more involved than strumming with a pick. You'll learn proper hand positioning, finger assignments, and techniques to start incorporating fingerpicking into your practice routine

Playing Your First Song

Now that you've learned your first four chords and how to transition between them, it's time to learn your first song. We’ll use a sequence of E minor, G major, D major, and C major. We'll ensure your chords are memorized, practice transitions, and add a strumming pattern to play the song smoothly.

In this lesson, I introduce basic music theory concepts to help you understand the fretboard, identify notes, and transpose songs. We’ll cover sharps, flats, and the musical alphabet, making music theory approachable and useful for your guitar playing journey.

Exploring Music Theory

Module 5

Music should feel good from the start—and the ukulele makes that possible. With Cody Joyce, also known as The Groovy Guitar Dude, you’ll learn to play with ease, clarity, and joy. From basic chords and strumming to full songs, this journey is about making music fun, expressive, and part of your everyday life.

11 lessons (42m)

Introduction to the Ukulele

We'll explore the origins and history of the ukulele, helping you appreciate its cultural significance and evolution from Portugal to Hawaii.

Exploring the Ukulele

Now, we'll walk through the anatomy of the ukulele, explaining each part and its function. You'll learn the names and positions of the strings and frets, essential knowledge for any ukulele player.

The Basics of Tuning

It's time to talk about tuning your ukulele. I'll teach you how to use a tuner or tuning app to ensure your instrument always sounds its best. This foundational skill is crucial for all future playing and practice sessions.

Introduction to Musical Notes and Tablature

In this lesson, we'll start by learning how to play individual notes and how to read tablature, which will help you understand where and when to play each note.

Chords and Chord Charts

Now, we'll explore chords, which are combinations of notes played simultaneously. I'll teach you how to read chord diagrams and introduce you to the ten most common chords used in popular music.

Chord Progressions and Strum Pattern

In this lesson, we'll dive into chord progressions and strumming patterns. I'll show you how to combine chords in a sequence and apply different strumming techniques to create a cohesive and rhythmic sound.

Tips for Chord Transitions

Now, we’ll focus on transitioning between chords smoothly. I'll share tips and exercises to help you switch chords quickly and efficiently, ensuring your playing sounds fluid and professional.

Tips for Strumming

It's time to talk about strumming techniques. I'll teach you how to strum with ease, including variations in strumming patterns and how to keep a steady rhythm. These tips will enhance the overall sound and feel of your ukulele playing.

Song Structures and Progressions

In this lesson, we'll explore the common structures of songs and how chord progressions fit into these structures. I'll show you how to identify different parts of a song, such as verses, choruses, and bridges, and how to play chord progressions that correspond to these sections.

Playing Your First Song

In this lesson, I explain how to put it all into practice. I'll guide you through playing your first full song on the ukulele. We'll go step-by-step, focusing on chord transitions, strumming patterns, and maintaining rhythm throughout the song.

Building Your Practice Routine

n this lesson, I'll help you create an effective practice routine to keep improving your skills. We'll discuss the importance of regular practice, setting goals, and incorporating new songs into your repertoire. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a personalized practice plan to continue your musical journey.

Module 6

What if your emotions could become music? With guidance from David Poveda, you’ll learn to turn inspiration into original compositions using tools like Ableton Live. This course is all about feeling, exploring, and expressing—helping you shape melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that speak directly from the heart.

27 lessons (6h 2m)

What does it mean to be an artist?

First, I will teach you what it means to be an artist, what are the psychological, cognitive and life challenges that this entails. I will also talk to you about how to overcome the obstacles of creative life and understand yourself deeply.

The notes

I will explain to you what music is made of, what music theory is, and what are the 12 notes that make up each piece you have heard.

The scales

In this lesson I will teach you how to group notes to create musical coherence and define the rules of the game for each song.

Chords and melody

Now it's time to show you what chords are and how to use them to create a melody.

Finally, you will learn about rhythm and how timing is one of the most important factors in music.

The rhythm

I'll start by showing you the equipment and tools that make up today's studios. I'll show you which elements are the most important to feel comfortable when composing.

The modern studio

Basic concepts of music editing and production

In this lesson I will show you the basics of Ableton Live, how to record, play, manage volumes and understand scales and musical notation within Ableton or any DAW.

Instrumentation in your sound

Finally, I'll show you how to analyze your favorite songs and how to expand your mental music library. I'll also show you how to find a main instrument for your song, what virtual libraries are, and how to use your favorite DAW to do so.

To learn more: Digital Audio Workstation

In this video you will find detailed information about DAWs. I hope it will be of great help to you in understanding them better.

Listening to our creativity: recording ideas 1

In this lesson you will come into contact with silence and those ideas that slowly begin to sound in your mind.

17m

Listening to our creativity: recording ideas 2

I will continue to talk to you about the difficulties that decision-making represents in the creative process and how to overcome them.

Listening to our creativity: recording ideas 3

I will share with you my best tips for listening to your ideas by judging their ability to convey and not their technical quality. Sometimes street noises and a babble convey more than a mastered work.

Recording your first demo

Now I will explain how to record your musical idea into your DAW to start creating a song.

In this lesson I will show you how to replace voice sounds with more professional sounds and in this way approach production.

Sound design 1

21m

Sound design 2

In this second part of the lesson, you will learn how to carry out the arrangements and instrumentation of your work.

Finally, I will continue to share the best tricks to achieve a unique sound design for your projects.

Sound design 3

22m

Arrangements and structure

Finally, I will explain what arrangement and song structure are. You will learn what types of structures exist and how to look for references and ideas for our structure. Finally, I will tell you how to decide what arrangements the work will need.

To start, I'll tell you how to know when your production is finished and how to start the next process: mixing.

The mix 1

In this second part of the lesson, I will continue to help you understand the basics of mixing.

The mix 2

I'll give you some tips on how to focus your mind to get more effective results and have a great mixing philosophy.

The mix 3

20m

The mix 4

I'll continue by showing you some tricks you can use to help you get your mix done and I'll tell you how you can tell when it's done.

Mastering 1

What is the Mastering process? In this lesson, I will tell you everything you need to know about this process.

17m

Mastering 2

I will talk to you about and show you the advantages that this process brings in terms of quality. In addition, I will show you some examples of the before and after of this process.

What to do with the finished work 1

Now that you have your work finished, I will tell you the most important steps to publish your work.

What to do with the finished work 2

It's time to share some tips that will help you make your work visible to your future audience.

Finally, I will tell you some other tricks, tips and things that I wish I had known before starting my artistic path. I hope they are useful to you.

Tips and tricks

To learn more: Music industry ecosystem

The music industry can be intimidating when you're not familiar with it. That's why I've put together this video to explain more about how it works and evolves.