The 25-Session Intermediate Piano Program
From Following Instructions to Making Music
Section titled “From Following Instructions to Making Music”Welcome back, Gaurav.
You finished the beginner course. You can play songs with both hands, read both clefs, build chords, and hear the difference between major and minor. You walked into that course knowing nothing about the piano and walked out a musician. That took real commitment, and it built something permanent.
Now comes the next chapter — and it is a different kind of challenge.
The beginner course taught you how to play the piano. This intermediate course teaches you how to be a pianist. The difference is profound. A pianist does not just follow written notes. A pianist hears a song and figures out the chords. A pianist sits down with a jazz standard and improvises a solo. A pianist plays a raga and understands its emotional grammar. A pianist picks up a lead sheet they have never seen and performs it on the spot.
Over 25 sessions at 75 minutes each, you will cross the bridge from structured learning to genuine musical independence — the point where the instrument becomes an extension of your thinking, not a set of instructions to follow.
This course is aligned with the ABRSM Grade 3 standard, the internationally recognised threshold for intermediate competence. You entered the beginner course at zero. You left at Grade 1. You will leave this course at Grade 3, with the skills and confidence to continue growing on your own.
Course Philosophy
Section titled “Course Philosophy”From Instructions to Independence
Section titled “From Instructions to Independence”The beginner course was deliberate in its structure: every note was specified, every finger was numbered, every step was guided. That scaffolding was essential — it gave you the vocabulary and physical habits to play correctly. But scaffolding is meant to come down.
The intermediate course gradually removes that scaffolding. In the early sessions, you will still receive detailed note-by-note transcriptions. By the middle of the course, you will begin reading lead sheets — just chord symbols and a melody line — and creating your own accompaniment. By the end, you will improvise, play by ear, and interpret pieces with your own musical voice. The course does not abandon you; it equips you to stand on your own.
Why 25 Sessions at 75 Minutes
Section titled “Why 25 Sessions at 75 Minutes”The beginner course used 20 one-hour sessions because that was the right container for foundation-building. The intermediate course demands more — more content, more genres, more creative skills — so both the number and length of sessions increase.
| Design Decision | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 25 sessions (not 20) | The intermediate curriculum covers significantly more ground: 12+ new scales, 7th chords, arpeggios, 4 distinct genres, improvisation, raga theory, modes, sight-reading mastery, and lead sheet fluency |
| 75 minutes (not 60) | Intermediate students can sustain longer focus; the 6-segment format requires more time; technique and repertoire sections are substantially more demanding |
| 5 phases of 5 | A clean structure that adds Phase 4 “Genre and Creativity” for the new content areas that did not exist in the beginner course |
Genre Diversification
Section titled “Genre Diversification”The beginner course introduced you to music across styles, but every piece was played in a “general” keyboard style. This course treats each genre on its own terms. Classical pieces demand precision and period-appropriate ornamentation. Pop songs require rhythmic comping and synth voicings. Jazz demands swing feel and improvisation. Indian music calls for raga-based melodic thinking and CT-X9000IN-specific tones and rhythms. You will not just play in these genres — you will begin to think in them.
Spiral Learning Continues
Section titled “Spiral Learning Continues”Every core skill from the beginner course — scales, chords, reading, ear training, technique — reappears here at a higher level. The C major scale you learned in Session 7 of the beginner course becomes the foundation for understanding modes. The triads you built become seventh chords. The simple sight-reading you attempted becomes a Grade 3-level skill. Nothing you learned is wasted; everything is deepened.
A Note on Time Commitment: This is a 31-hour instructed course. With recommended daily practice of 45-60 minutes between weekly sessions, your total learning time will be approximately 200-250 hours over 25 weeks. The daily practice — now 45-60 minutes rather than the beginner’s 30-45 — is where scale fluency, chord muscle memory, and repertoire polish actually develop. This is a substantial commitment, and it is worth making honestly rather than pretending it will be easy.
Where You Are Now
Section titled “Where You Are Now”You completed the Piano School’s 20-Hour Beginner Course and left with these skills:
- Scales: C and G major hands together at 60-80 BPM; F major and A natural minor hands together at comfortable tempo; D and E natural minor hands separate confidently, hands together slowly (6 scales total)
- Chords: C, F, G, Am, Dm, Em triads in root position; 1st inversions for C and Am
- Reading: Both treble and bass clef without hesitation; key signatures up to 1 sharp and 1 flat
- Repertoire: 3+ polished songs with both hands, up to 13 pieces learned across the course
- Ear Training: Major/minor chord distinction; interval recognition up to a 5th; 4-5 note melody playback by ear
- Theory: Intervals to an octave; major and minor triads; I-IV-V-I and I-V-vi-IV progressions in C and G
- Expression: Intentional dynamics (p, mf, f, crescendo, diminuendo); basic sustain pedal use
- Sight-Reading: Very simple single-hand melodies in C and G position
- CT-X9000IN: Tone selection, metronome, MIDI recorder, rhythm accompaniment
This is a solid ABRSM Grade 1 foundation. You have the vocabulary. Now you need fluency.
An Honest Word: The intermediate stage is where many students hit their first real plateau. The rapid progress of the beginner phase — where every session brought a dramatic new ability — gives way to a longer, subtler arc of improvement. Sessions 8-12 of this course may feel like a grind. That is normal. It is the sound of skills deepening from “I can do this if I concentrate” to “I can do this while thinking about something else.” Trust the process. The breakthroughs in Phases 3 and 4, when you start improvising and playing by ear, will reward that patience many times over.
Your Keyboard: Casio CT-X9000IN — Advanced Features
Section titled “Your Keyboard: Casio CT-X9000IN — Advanced Features”In the beginner course, you used your CT-X9000IN’s core features: touch response, metronome, MIDI recorder, basic tone selection, and rhythm accompaniment. This course unlocks the instrument’s advanced capabilities, turning it from a learning tool into a creative workstation.
Advanced features we use throughout this course:
- Layer Mode: Play two tones simultaneously — piano with strings, for instance — to create rich, professional sounds. Used extensively in pop and ballad repertoire.
- Split Mode: Assign different tones to each hand — bass guitar in the left hand, piano in the right. Essential for genre-specific playing.
- Registration Memory: Save and recall complete setups (tone, rhythm, tempo, split, layer) with a single button press. You will build genre-specific presets: one for classical, one for jazz, one for Bollywood.
- MIDI-to-USB: Connect your keyboard to a computer for recording into GarageBand, MuseScore, or other DAWs. Compose, arrange, and produce your own music.
- Chordana Play: Deep integration with the companion app for additional learning resources, song libraries, and visual feedback.
- 43 Indian Tones and 39 Indian Rhythms: Move beyond basic selection to idiomatic use — choosing the right tabla pattern for a raga, layering tanpura drone behind your playing, matching tones to specific Bollywood arrangements.
- Pitch Bend Wheel: Essential for meend (the characteristic glide between notes in Indian classical music) — a technique introduced in Session 14.
Your complete advanced features guide is in Keyboard Advanced Features.
Course Promise
Section titled “Course Promise”After completing all 25 sessions and maintaining consistent daily practice, you will be able to:
- Play 5 performance-ready pieces from memory across classical, pop, jazz/blues, and Indian genres
- Sight-read Grade 2-3 level pieces with both hands, key signatures, and basic accidentals
- Improvise a coherent solo over a 12-bar blues and a pentatonic chord progression
- Play songs from lead sheets and chord charts — creating your own accompaniment from chord symbols alone
- Build and play 7th chords (major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th) in multiple keys
- Play all common major scales 2 octaves hands together at 80-100 BPM, plus harmonic minor scales for A, D, E, and G
- Understand and play in 3 modes (Dorian, Mixolydian, Lydian)
- Play raga-based melodies (Yaman, Bhairavi) and arrange Bollywood songs with advanced keyboard voicings
- Transcribe a simple melody by ear and identify chord qualities and progressions aurally
- Use your CT-X9000IN’s layer, split, registration memory, MIDI recording, and Indian features fluently
These outcomes are aligned with the ABRSM Grade 3 standard — the international benchmark for intermediate piano competence.
The Five Phases
Section titled “The Five Phases”Phase 1: Foundation Expansion — “Widening the Lens” (Sessions 1-5)
Section titled “Phase 1: Foundation Expansion — “Widening the Lens” (Sessions 1-5)”Theme: Expanding everything you know — more scales, more keys, more chord types, more range.
You return to the keyboard with a comprehensive skills assessment, then immediately begin extending your technical foundation. Over five sessions, you add six new major scales (D, A, E, Bb, Eb, Ab), master harmonic and melodic minor forms, learn all 24 triads in every inversion, and encounter diminished and augmented chords for the first time. Every scale is now 2 octaves hands together. This phase transforms your “6 scales and 6 chords” into a comprehensive keyboard vocabulary.
Entry Criteria: Completed beginner course. ABRSM Grade 1 skills as listed in “Where You Are Now.”
Exit Criteria:
- Play D, A, E, Bb, Eb, Ab major scales 2 octaves hands together
- Play harmonic minor scales for A, D, E, G with raised 7th
- Play all 12 major and 12 minor triads in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion
- Understand contrary motion scales
- Identify diminished and augmented triads by sound and construction
Songs: Beginner recital replay (fresh assessment), D major scale etude, “Clair de Lune” theme (simplified), “Moonlight Sonata” mvt 1 (simplified), chord-based inversion medley
Phase 2: Harmonic Depth — “Musical Vocabulary” (Sessions 6-10)
Section titled “Phase 2: Harmonic Depth — “Musical Vocabulary” (Sessions 6-10)”Theme: The harmonic language that powers all Western music — and most of the world’s popular music.
Seventh chords open an entirely new sound world. The simple triads you know gain a fourth note and suddenly sound like jazz, like pop ballads, like film scores. You learn arpeggios with proper thumb-under technique, tackle compound time signatures (6/8, 9/8, 12/8), and encounter advanced chord progressions including the ii-V-I that drives jazz harmony. Classical repertoire arrives properly with Bach and Beethoven. By the end of this phase, your harmonic vocabulary has tripled.
Entry Criteria: All 24 triads in all inversions. 2-octave scales in 9+ keys. Contrary motion awareness.
Exit Criteria:
- Build and play Cmaj7, G7, C7, D7, Am7, Dm7, Em7
- Play 1-octave arpeggios hands together for C, G, D, F, Am, Em
- Count and play confidently in 6/8 and 12/8 time
- Explain and play ii-V-I progressions
- Perform Bach “Minuet in G” and Beethoven “Fur Elise” (A section) with period-appropriate style
Songs: “Autumn Leaves” (simplified), Chopin “Prelude in E minor” (simplified), “Greensleeves,” “Tere Bina,” “All of Me” by John Legend (simplified), Bach “Minuet in G,” Beethoven “Fur Elise” (A section)
Phase 3: Expression and Interpretation — “Finding Your Voice” (Sessions 11-15)
Section titled “Phase 3: Expression and Interpretation — “Finding Your Voice” (Sessions 11-15)”Theme: The transition from playing notes correctly to playing music expressively — and the introduction of Indian classical music as a serious discipline.
This is where technique meets artistry. You master legato pedaling, the full dynamic range from pp to ff, and the subtle art of musical phrasing and rubato. You learn to play by ear and transcribe melodies — skills that mark the shift from dependent to independent musicianship. Then Indian music arrives not as an add-on but as a complete musical system: raga theory, alankars (raga exercises), and Bollywood arrangements that demand genuine understanding of the tradition.
Entry Criteria: 7th chord vocabulary. Arpeggio fluency. Compound time confidence. Classical repertoire experience.
Exit Criteria:
- Use legato pedaling, syncopated pedaling, and half-pedaling appropriately
- Play with full dynamic range (pp through ff) and varied articulation (staccato, legato, accents, tenuto)
- Transcribe a simple pop song by ear (find key, bass, chords, melody)
- Play Raga Yaman ascending and descending patterns with correct intervals
- Perform “Lag Ja Gale” and “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai” with advanced Bollywood arrangement techniques
Songs: “Imagine” (full arrangement with pedaling), Chopin “Waltz in A minor” (simplified), ear transcription exercise, “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai,” “Lag Ja Gale,” “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai”
Phase 4: Genre and Creativity — “Exploring Worlds” (Sessions 16-20)
Section titled “Phase 4: Genre and Creativity — “Exploring Worlds” (Sessions 16-20)”Theme: Playing in four distinct genre languages and discovering your creative voice through improvisation and lead sheet reading.
This phase is entirely new territory — nothing in the beginner course prepared you for this, and that is the point. You learn pop keyboard techniques (synth voicings, rhythmic comping, layer and split modes), jazz and blues foundations (12-bar blues, swing feel, shell voicings, walking bass), structured improvisation (pentatonic, blues scale, chord-tone targeting), and lead sheet fluency (playing songs from chord symbols alone). Indian music returns at an advanced level with Raga Bhairavi, Raga Des, and complex Bollywood medleys. By Session 20, you are no longer just a student following a curriculum — you are a musician making creative decisions.
Entry Criteria: Expressive playing with pedal and dynamics. Playing by ear ability. Raga Yaman familiarity. Transcription skills.
Exit Criteria:
- Play pop songs with synth voicings, rhythmic comping, and CT-X9000IN layer/split
- Play a 12-bar blues with swing feel, blues scale solo, and walking bass concept
- Improvise over blues, pentatonic, and I-IV-V-I progressions
- Play 3 songs from lead sheets alone (no written arrangement)
- Play Raga Bhairavi and demonstrate taal awareness (Teentaal, Keherwa)
- Perform “Kabira” and “Kun Faya Kun” with advanced Indian arrangements
Songs: “Clocks” by Coldplay (simplified), “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, 12-bar blues in C, “Fly Me to the Moon” (simplified), improvisation exercises, “Yesterday,” “Hallelujah,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho,” “Kabira,” “Kun Faya Kun,” Raga Bhairavi composition
Phase 5: Performance and Independence — “The Complete Musician” (Sessions 21-25)
Section titled “Phase 5: Performance and Independence — “The Complete Musician” (Sessions 21-25)”Theme: Mastery, polish, and preparing to continue your musical journey without a structured course.
Everything converges. Your sight-reading reaches Grade 2-3 level through systematic strategy training. You polish five pieces to genuine performance standard — one from each major genre plus a personal choice — with the depth of attention that separates “playing through” from “performing.” You encounter modes (Dorian, Mixolydian, Lydian) and write your own short composition. Session 25 is your graduation recital: five polished pieces across all genres, a comprehensive assessment, and a clear roadmap for advanced study.
Entry Criteria: Multi-genre playing ability. Improvisation skills. Lead sheet fluency. Advanced Indian music knowledge.
Exit Criteria: See “Advanced Readiness Criteria” below — the full graduation checklist aligned with ABRSM Grade 3.
Songs: 5 new pieces at sight (graded difficulty), 3 polished performance pieces (classical, pop, Indian), 2 additional student-choice pieces, modal improvisation exercise, student composition, graduation recital of 5 pieces
25-Session Overview
Section titled “25-Session Overview”| # | Title | Key Topics | Song/Piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome Back and Assessment | Review all beginner skills on CT-X9000IN, identify gaps, set intermediate goals, introduce 75-min session structure, new daily warm-up routine | Replay 2 beginner recital pieces — assess with fresh ears, note improvements since graduation |
| 2 | Expanding Major Scales | D major, A major, E major — 2 octaves hands together with correct fingering, speed building (60 to 80 BPM), contrary motion scales introduction | Scale etude in D major (melodic exercise using scale tones) |
| 3 | Flat-Key Territory | Bb major, Eb major, Ab major — 2 octaves hands together, reading key signatures with multiple flats, enharmonic awareness | ”Clair de Lune” theme (simplified, Db/Ab context) — first exposure to flat-key beauty |
| 4 | Minor Scale Mastery | Harmonic minor for A, D, E, G (raised 7th), melodic minor (raised 6th+7th ascending, natural descending), comparison of all 3 minor types | ”Moonlight Sonata” mvt 1 (simplified A minor) — iconic minor-key repertoire |
| 5 | Complete Chord Vocabulary | All 12 major triads + all 12 minor triads in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion; diminished triads (B dim, F# dim); augmented triads (C aug, Ab aug) | Chord-based medley cycling through all inversions with smooth voice leading |
| 6 | Seventh Chords | Major 7th (Cmaj7), dominant 7th (G7, C7, D7), minor 7th (Am7, Dm7, Em7); V7 to I resolution; 7th chord construction formula; keyboard voicings | ”Autumn Leaves” (simplified — the quintessential 7th chord song) |
| 7 | Arpeggios | 1-2 octave arpeggios for C, G, D, F, Am, Em; proper thumb-under technique for arpeggios; broken chord patterns (Alberti bass, arpeggiated accompaniment) | Chopin “Prelude in E minor” Op. 28 No. 4 (simplified — arpeggio-based LH pattern) |
| 8 | Compound Time | 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 time signatures; compound vs simple time feel; conducting/counting in compound time; lilting/rocking feel | ”Greensleeves” (6/8) + “Tere Bina” (compound time Bollywood feel) |
| 9 | Advanced Chord Progressions | ii-V-I (most common in jazz), vi-ii-V-I, circle of 5ths progressions, secondary dominants introduction (V/V), smooth voice leading between complex chords | ”All of Me” by John Legend (simplified — rich contemporary progressions) |
| 10 | Classical Repertoire I | Reading classical scores (period markings, ornament symbols), trills, grace notes (acciaccatura, appoggiatura), Baroque vs Classical style differences | Bach “Minuet in G” BWV Anh. 114 + Beethoven “Fur Elise” (first A section) |
| 11 | Pedal Mastery | Legato pedaling technique (depress after playing, lift just before next chord), syncopated pedaling, half-pedaling for subtle sustain, when NOT to pedal (fast passages, staccato), CT-X9000IN pedal setup | ”Imagine” by John Lennon (full arrangement with proper legato pedaling throughout) |
| 12 | Dynamics and Articulation | Full dynamic range pp through ff, staccato dots, legato lines, accent marks, tenuto, sforzando, musical phrasing (shape of a phrase), rubato (tempo flexibility) | Chopin “Waltz in A minor” B.150 (simplified — demands dynamic and articulation control) |
| 13 | Playing by Ear and Transcription | Systematic approach: find the key, find the bass notes, identify chord progression, then melody; chord recognition by ear (major/minor/7th); basic transcription to paper | Transcribe a simple pop song by ear (student chooses from 3 options) |
| 14 | Indian Music I: Raga Fundamentals | What is a raga (aroha/avaroha = ascending/descending), Raga Yaman (Kalyan) — the most accessible raga, raga-to-Western-scale mapping (Yaman approximates Lydian), alankars (raga exercises), meend (glide between notes) on CT-X9000IN pitch bend | Raga Yaman alankars + “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai” (classic Bollywood in Yaman) |
| 15 | Bollywood Deep Dive | Complex Bollywood arrangements with chord voicings, ornamental playing (grace notes, slides adapted from vocal style), CT-X9000IN’s 43 Indian tones + 39 Indian rhythms | ”Lag Ja Gale” (Lata Mangeshkar) + “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai” (from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) |
| 16 | Pop and Contemporary | Synth-style voicings (open 5ths, sus chords), rhythmic comping patterns (8th-note pulse, syncopation), chord-based song playing, CT-X9000IN layer (piano+strings) and split (bass LH, piano RH) | “Clocks” by Coldplay (simplified — iconic ostinato pattern) + “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran |
| 17 | Jazz and Blues Foundations | 12-bar blues form and harmony (I7-IV7-V7), swing feel (triplet-based 8ths), blues scale (C blues: C-Eb-F-Gb-G-Bb-C), basic jazz voicings (shell voicings: root+3rd+7th), walking bass line concept | 12-Bar Blues in C (both hands) + “Fly Me to the Moon” (simplified jazz standard) |
| 18 | Improvisation Basics | Pentatonic scale improvisation (Am pentatonic: A-C-D-E-G), chord-tone targeting (landing on chord tones on strong beats), call-and-response phrasing, blues improvisation over 12-bar form, CT-X9000IN rhythm accompaniment as backing track | Improvise over: (1) C blues, (2) Am pentatonic with backing, (3) I-IV-V-I in G |
| 19 | Lead Sheets and Chord Charts | Reading chord symbols (Cmaj7, Dm7, G7, Am, etc.), slash notation, Nashville number system introduction, creating LH accompaniment patterns from symbols alone, fake book skills | Play 3 songs from lead sheets only (no written-out arrangement): “Yesterday,” “Hallelujah,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho” |
| 20 | Indian Music II: Advanced Ragas | Raga Bhairavi (the “queen of ragas”), Raga Des (romantic/devotional feel), taal awareness (Teentaal, Keherwa basics), Bollywood medley with advanced arrangement, CT-X9000IN Indian tones mastery | ”Kabira” (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) + “Kun Faya Kun” (Rockstar) + Raga Bhairavi composition |
| 21 | Sight-Reading Mastery | Grade 2-3 level sight-reading strategies, pattern recognition (scale passages, chord shapes, sequences), rhythm-first approach (tap rhythm before playing), reading ahead (eyes 1-2 beats ahead of hands) | 5 new pieces at sight — graded from Grade 1.5 to Grade 3 difficulty |
| 22 | Repertoire Workshop I | Polish 3 pieces to performance standard: 1 classical (Bach/Beethoven/Chopin), 1 pop/contemporary, 1 Indian; performance interpretation (dynamics, pedal, phrasing, tempo rubato) | Student’s 3 chosen pieces — polished with teacher-level attention |
| 23 | Repertoire Workshop II | Polish 2 more pieces (student choice from any genre), memorization techniques (muscle memory, harmonic analysis, visualization), stage presence and performance anxiety management | Student’s 2 additional pieces — total repertoire: 5 performance-ready pieces |
| 24 | Modes and Modern Harmony | Dorian mode (jazz/funk feel), Mixolydian mode (rock/blues), Lydian mode (dreamy/cinematic), modal chord progressions, basic songwriting: writing a melody over a chord progression, recording compositions on CT-X9000IN | Modal improvisation exercise + write a short 8-bar piece using modes |
| 25 | Graduation and Advanced Roadmap | Final comprehensive assessment (scales, chords, sight-reading, ear training), recital of 5 polished pieces across all genres, advanced curriculum preview (Grade 4-5 path), CT-X9000IN mastery showcase, celebration | ”Graduation recital” — 5 pieces: 1 classical, 1 pop, 1 jazz/blues, 1 Indian, 1 student’s choice |
Session Format
Section titled “Session Format”Every session follows a consistent 75-minute structure with six segments. This format is longer and more varied than the beginner course’s 60-minute, 5-segment design, reflecting the broader skill set and increased stamina of an intermediate student.
| Segment | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up and Review | 10 min | Scales, arpeggios, and review of the previous session’s material. Your daily warm-up routine evolves across the course. |
| Theory / Harmony | 10 min | One new concept with keyboard demonstration. Each concept connects to what you already know and is reinforced by a corresponding handout. |
| Technique | 15 min | Hands-on drills for the new skill. Exact notes, fingers, and tempo. Builds progressively — Level 1 through Level 3 difficulty within each exercise. |
| Repertoire / Genre | 25 min | The core learning segment. Applying skills to actual pieces with complete note-by-note transcriptions and finger numbers. This is where theory becomes music. |
| Creative / Ear Training | 10 min | Improvisation, ear training, playing by ear, transcription. This segment is new — it did not exist in the beginner course — and reflects the creative skills central to intermediate musicianship. |
| Review and Homework | 5 min | Summary, specific practice assignments for the week, and self-check questions to verify understanding before moving on. |
The Creative segment is the biggest change from the beginner course. In the beginner program, every minute was devoted to building foundational skills. Now that those foundations exist, 10 minutes per session are dedicated to using them creatively — improvising, playing by ear, and developing the musical intuition that separates a player from a musician.
Skills Progression Ladder
Section titled “Skills Progression Ladder”This table tracks your growth across 12 skill areas at six checkpoints through the course. Compare it to the beginner course’s 9-skill, 4-checkpoint table — the increased breadth reflects the intermediate curriculum’s ambition.
| Skill Area | Entry (Beginner Exit) | By Session 5 | By Session 10 | By Session 15 | By Session 20 | By Session 25 (Exit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scales | C, G, F major + A, D, E natural minor (1 oct, varying HT proficiency) | + D, A, E, Bb, Eb, Ab major; harmonic minor for A, D, E, G (all 2 oct HT) | 9 major scales 2 oct HT at 80+ BPM; contrary motion for C, G | + Melodic minor awareness; speed building to 100 BPM; remaining major scales (B, F#, Db) introduced | Scale fluency in common keys on demand | All common major + harmonic minor (A, D, E, G) 2 oct HT at 80-100 BPM; melodic minor for A, D, E, G |
| Chords | C, F, G, Am, Dm, Em triads; C+Am inversions | All 24 triads (12 major + 12 minor) in all inversions; dim + aug intro | + Cmaj7, G7, Am7, Dm7, Em7; dominant 7th resolution | Full command of triads + basic 7ths | + Jazz shell voicings, sus chords, open voicings | All triads + inversions; 7th chords in common keys; genre-specific voicings |
| Arpeggios | Basic broken chords | Chord-based arpeggio awareness | 1 oct arpeggios for C, G, D, F, Am, Em (HT) | Fluent arpeggios with proper fingering; 2 oct for C, G | Arpeggio patterns in accompaniment | Arpeggios 1 oct HT for common keys; 2 oct for C, G |
| Rhythm | Whole through 8th notes; 4/4, 3/4 | Consolidation of beginner rhythms | + 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 compound time; swing feel | + Syncopation, rubato, rhythmic flexibility | + Polyrhythm awareness (3-against-2) | Confident in simple + compound time; swing; basic polyrhythms |
| Sight-Reading | Very simple single-hand in C/G position | Grade 1.5 — simple both-hands | Grade 2 — accidentals, wider range, both hands | Grade 2.5 — key signatures, dynamics, articulation | Grade 2-3 with musical expression | Grade 3 — fluent reading of intermediate-level pieces |
| Repertoire | 3+ simple songs, both hands | 5+ pieces including classical | 8+ pieces spanning multiple keys | 10+ pieces across classical, Bollywood, contemporary | 12+ pieces across 4 genres | 5 performance-polished pieces (classical, pop, jazz, Indian, choice) + 10+ in rotation |
| Ear Training | Major/minor chord distinction; intervals to 5th; 4-5 note melody playback | + Interval recognition to octave | + 7th chord identification; chord progression recognition | + Playing by ear; basic transcription | + Chord root identification; genre recognition | Transcribe simple melodies; identify chord qualities/progressions; improvise by ear |
| Expression | Basic dynamics (p, mf, f); simple crescendo/diminuendo | Intentional dynamics in all pieces | + Articulation (staccato, legato, accents, tenuto) | + Phrasing, rubato, pedal expression | + Genre-appropriate expression (swing, raga ornaments) | Full musical expression: dynamics, articulation, phrasing, pedal, style-appropriate playing |
| Theory | Both clefs; key sigs to 1#/1b; intervals to octave; major/minor triads; I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV | + All key signatures; 3 minor types; all triad inversions | + 7th chords; ii-V-I; secondary dominants; compound time; arpeggios | + Song form analysis; transposition awareness | + Modes; lead sheet reading; Nashville numbers | All keys; 7th chords; modes; song analysis; lead sheets; basic counterpoint |
| Improvisation | None | Creative warm-up exercises | Basic melodic embellishment | Blues scale; pentatonic patterns | Improvise over blues/pentatonic; chord-tone targeting | Improvise confidently over blues, pentatonic, and simple chord progressions |
| Indian Music | 3-4 Bollywood songs (beginner level) | Bollywood refresher with better technique | Awareness of raga concept | Raga Yaman mastery; advanced Bollywood | + Raga Bhairavi, Raga Des; taal awareness | Play raga-based melodies; arrange Bollywood songs; use CT-X9000IN Indian features fluently |
| CT-X9000IN | Tone selection, metronome, MIDI recorder, rhythm accompaniment | All beginner features fluent | + Registration memory; layer, split mode awareness | + Indian tones mastery, pitch bend for meend | + Recording compositions, advanced rhythm features | Full mastery: layer, split, registration, MIDI to USB, Chordana Play, Indian features, recording |
Genre Paths
Section titled “Genre Paths”This course treats four genres not as decorations on a technique-focused curriculum but as complete musical languages, each with its own vocabulary, grammar, and aesthetic.
Classical
Section titled “Classical”The tradition that built modern piano technique. You will study Bach (Baroque clarity, counterpoint, ornaments), Beethoven (Classical drama, dynamic contrast), and Chopin (Romantic expression, pedal artistry, rubato). Classical training develops precision, score-reading depth, and the ability to interpret a composer’s intentions from notation alone. Sessions 10, 12, 22.
Pop / Contemporary
Section titled “Pop / Contemporary”The music of the modern keyboard player. You will learn synth voicings (open 5ths, sus chords), rhythmic comping patterns, and how to use CT-X9000IN layer and split modes to create full-band sounds from a single keyboard. Lead sheet reading — playing from chord symbols rather than fully notated scores — is a core pop skill introduced in Session 19. Sessions 9, 11, 16, 19, 22-23.
Jazz / Blues
Section titled “Jazz / Blues”The improvisational tradition. The 12-bar blues is your entry point — simple enough to learn in one session, deep enough to spend a lifetime exploring. You will learn swing feel, blues scale, shell voicings (root + 3rd + 7th), walking bass concepts, and the ii-V-I progression that powers jazz harmony. Improvisation is taught systematically: from pentatonic patterns to chord-tone targeting to free melodic invention. Sessions 17, 18, 24.
Indian Music
Section titled “Indian Music”Not an afterthought — a full genre path woven through the course. You will learn raga theory from its foundations: the concept of aroha/avaroha (ascending/descending patterns), the emotional grammar of specific ragas (Yaman for serenity, Bhairavi for devotion, Des for romance), and alankars (raga exercises) that train your fingers and ears in this tradition. Six or more Bollywood songs receive full arrangements. Your CT-X9000IN’s 43 Indian tones and 39 Indian rhythms are used idiomatically, not as novelties. Sessions 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 22-23.
Advanced Readiness Criteria
Section titled “Advanced Readiness Criteria”After completing all 25 sessions, use this checklist to assess your readiness for advanced study. These criteria are aligned with ABRSM Grade 3 benchmarks.
Technical Skills
Section titled “Technical Skills”- Play all major scales 2 octaves hands together at 80-100 BPM with correct fingering
- Play harmonic minor scales (A, D, E, G) 2 octaves hands together at 60-80 BPM
- Play arpeggios for major and minor triads 1 octave hands together for common keys (C, G, D, F, Am, Em); 2 octaves for C and G
- Play 7th chords (maj7, dom7, min7) in at least 4 keys
- Demonstrate proper voicing: bring out melody over accompaniment
- Use legato pedaling, syncopated pedaling, and half-pedaling appropriately
- Play with full dynamic range (pp through ff) and varied articulation
Music Theory
Section titled “Music Theory”- Read all key signatures up to 4 sharps/4 flats without hesitation
- Identify and construct all triad types (major, minor, diminished, augmented) from any root
- Build major 7th, dominant 7th, and minor 7th chords
- Explain and play ii-V-I and circle-of-5ths progressions
- Identify common song forms (AABA, verse-chorus, binary, ternary)
- Name and play Dorian, Mixolydian, and Lydian modes from at least 2 starting notes
- Understand natural, harmonic, and melodic minor and when each is used
Ear Training and Creativity
Section titled “Ear Training and Creativity”- Identify intervals up to an octave by ear
- Distinguish major, minor, dominant 7th, and major 7th chords by ear
- Transcribe a simple 8-bar melody by ear
- Improvise a coherent 12-bar blues solo using the blues scale
- Improvise over a I-IV-V-I progression using pentatonic and chord tones
- Play a familiar song by ear (find the melody and basic chords)
Musical Skills
Section titled “Musical Skills”- Play 5+ polished performance pieces from memory across classical, pop, jazz, and Indian genres
- Sight-read Grade 2-3 level pieces (both hands, with key signature and basic accidentals)
- Play a song from a lead sheet/chord chart (create accompaniment from chord symbols)
- Play with genre-appropriate style: classical precision, pop groove, swing feel, raga ornamentation
- Use CT-X9000IN features: layer, split, registration memory, MIDI recording to USB, Indian tones/rhythms
Indian Music
Section titled “Indian Music”- Explain basic raga structure (aroha/avaroha)
- Play Raga Yaman and Raga Bhairavi on keyboard with correct ascending/descending patterns
- Perform 3+ Bollywood songs with advanced arrangements (melody + chords + CT-X9000IN Indian features)
- Use CT-X9000IN’s Indian tones and rhythms idiomatically
If 80% or more of these items are checked, you are ready for advanced study (ABRSM Grade 4+ or self-directed learning).
A detailed self-assessment with scoring rubric is available in Advanced Readiness Checklist.
Practice Between Sessions
Section titled “Practice Between Sessions”The 31 hours of guided instruction are the skeleton of your learning. The daily practice is the muscle, the tendons, the cardiovascular system. The intermediate course demands more practice than the beginner course — 45-60 minutes daily rather than 30-45 — because the skills are more complex and the standards are higher.
Recommended Daily Practice: 45-60 Minutes
Section titled “Recommended Daily Practice: 45-60 Minutes”| Block | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-Up | 10 min | Scales, arpeggios, and the daily warm-up routine from Intermediate Daily Warmup |
| Technique | 10 min | The specific drills assigned in your most recent session — new scales, chord voicings, arpeggio patterns |
| New Material | 15 min | Working on the current session’s piece — slowly, hands separate first, then together at reduced tempo |
| Repertoire Review | 10 min | Cycling through previously learned pieces to keep them performance-ready |
| Creative Play | 5-10 min | Improvise. Play by ear. Experiment with a raga. Compose. This block grows in importance as the course progresses. |
How Practice Changes at the Intermediate Level
Section titled “How Practice Changes at the Intermediate Level”In the beginner course, practice was primarily about repetition — playing the right notes in the right order until it became automatic. Intermediate practice is more analytical. You are not just repeating; you are refining. You ask: Is this phrase shaped well? Is my pedaling clean? Does this swing feel authentic? Am I voicing the melody above the accompaniment?
The shift from “getting it right” to “making it musical” is the central challenge of intermediate practice. Your practice guides — especially Intermediate Practice Framework and Plateau Breaking Guide — address this transition in detail.
How This Connects to the Beginner Course
Section titled “How This Connects to the Beginner Course”Everything you learned in the beginner course is the foundation for everything in this course. Nothing is discarded; everything is deepened.
Your C major scale becomes the basis for understanding all 12 major scales and the modes built upon them. Your six triads expand to 24 triads plus 7th chords, diminished, and augmented. Your basic sight-reading grows to Grade 3 fluency. Your ear training — telling major from minor — becomes the ability to transcribe melodies and identify chord progressions. The Bollywood songs you played become the entry point for genuine raga study. Even your CT-X9000IN, which you learned to use for basic functions, reveals its full capabilities as a creative workstation.
The beginner course gave you the vocabulary. This course teaches you to speak.
How to Use This Course
Section titled “How to Use This Course”This course consists of 70 files organized across sessions, handouts, assessments, and reference materials. Here is how to navigate them.
Before You Start
Section titled “Before You Start”- Read this document (Course Overview) — Understand the full arc of the 25-session journey.
- Read Keyboard Advanced Features — Learn the CT-X9000IN features you will use throughout the course.
- Read Intermediate Practice Framework — Understand how intermediate practice differs from beginner practice.
During the Course
Section titled “During the Course”- Follow Session 01 through Session 25 in order. Each session is a complete, self-contained 75-minute lesson. Do one per week.
- Use handouts when referenced. Sessions link to theory, technique, practice, genre, and improvisation handouts at the right moments. Read them when directed.
- Complete phase checkpoints. After Sessions 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25, take the corresponding assessment in the
assessment/folder. - Follow the weekly practice plans. The file Weekly Practice Plans structures your daily practice between sessions.
Quick Reference
Section titled “Quick Reference”- Keep near your keyboard: The six files in
reference/— complete scale reference, complete chord reference, intermediate musical terms, lead sheet symbols, raga reference, and repertoire index. These are designed for instant lookup during practice.
Genre and Improvisation Deep Dives
Section titled “Genre and Improvisation Deep Dives”- Read genre handouts before genre-focused sessions. The files in
handouts/genre/andhandouts/improvisation/provide background that enriches the session material. Your session plans will tell you when to read them.
After You Finish
Section titled “After You Finish”- Complete Advanced Readiness Checklist — Your graduation self-assessment.
- Read What Comes Next Advanced — Your roadmap for continuing to ABRSM Grade 4 and beyond.
Feeling lost? Start with START HERE at the root of the course folder. It provides a complete navigation map with descriptions of every file.
Piano School 25-Session Intermediate Program — Casio CT-X9000IN Edition Designed for Gaurav. Built for musical independence.