Does every new piano piece feel like you're starting from scratch?
When we learn to play piano by rote memorization, it's like reciting words in a language we don't understand. Without learning to recognize foundational shapes on the piano, every song feels like a random assortment of notes.
MUSIC IS A LANGUAGE.
Chords are the words of our musical language - and there aren't many. Once you gain fluency with piano chords, you will recognize them in every piece of music you play.
Fluency with chords unlocks a world of possibility.
When you understand the foundations of piano chords, you’ll find it easier to:
+ Play in a band
+ Write songs
+ Produce music
+ Sight-read any song
+ Play by ear
Playing from a place of understanding frees you to create your own version of a song. Or to write a new song, or to produce a keys part, or to learn quickly from a bandmate or a recording. The same handful of skills open up all of these possibilities.
10 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Enroll today, give the course a try, and I’ll return your money if you decide it’s not for you.
What you’ll learn inside Chord Fluency:
Welcome & Introduction
Background Concepts
Level 1: triads
Level 2: inversions
Level 3: seventh chords
Level 4: extended harmony
Wrapping Up
The philosophy behind Chord Fluency
"Learning in a chord-based way (as opposed to learning to read sheet music) has also been so freeing and allows me to improvise. I can sit down at the piano and just play."
Alex Valentine, Chord Fluency Student
I'd recommend Chord Fluency to anyone looking to fluidly play through the chords of songs they listen to every day. It's clear, simple, and fun to work through.
Chord Fluency is a fantastic resource for anyone trying to wrap their mind around chord usage and being able to fully express themselves at the piano. While it's a great resource for beginners, there's also plenty of lessons to be learned even if you already know your scales and note-names.
Elliot Keeler
This course is a great investment to establish a solid foundation for playing the piano. Ted’s teaching style is clear, concise, and encouraging, and he makes it really clear what to practice and how.
I began Ted’s course having played classical piano for a few years as a kid. I knew the notes and could generally find my way around simple chords, but I felt pretty stuck when it came to improvisation, writing for myself, or playing along with a group. Ted’s course has taught me through focused exercises how to navigate around the piano in an equally right and left-brained way. I’ve learned the theory, but I find my hands land in the right places before my mind really registers the notes. It's really empowering because it allows me to play more expressively.
Alex Valentine
Chord Fluency is an entirely approachable way to build the foundational skills you will rely on forever – I feel like I am closing the gaps in my chord knowledge and am a stronger, more confident artist because of it.
Chord Fluency is the most comprehensive online course I’ve come across so far. Ted is an exceptional teacher and musician whose method empowers students to create and explore the instrument more freely. I am so grateful to Ted for all the thoughtfulness, dedication and joy he brings to each lesson. I feel lucky to learn from him and truly couldn’t recommend him and his brilliant course more!
Julienne Bajusz
Ted’s Chord Fluency course is a thoughtful, encouraging approach to learning the language of music and has empowered me to play my favorite songs AND apply what I learned to my own work. The goal is freedom of expression and Ted helps you get there!
I first learned piano by playing classical pieces that focused on fingering and technique, with almost no explanation of what I was playing. As a singer songwriter, I want to understand why songs make me feel a certain way and how I might replicate or expand on that feeling.
Sarah Stevenot
Hi, I’m Ted, the creator
of Piano Fluency.
PROFESSIONAL ARRANGER | 10+ YEARS TEACHING
I live in Los Angeles and have a BA in Jazz Studies from the USC Thornton School of Music. I've recorded piano for Laufey, composed music for KFC and Carmax commercials, and written string arrangements for Eddie Benjamin, Ruel and Alina Baraz. If you have broad musical interests - I do too! You're in the right place.
As a lifelong pianist, I've learned that music doesn't have to be intimidating or complex. Join me in an online course and see for yourself that playing piano can be a joyful adventure.
Ted's lessons were a revelation!
After many different teachers, I finally feel like I found someone who helps me connect what I hear in my head to how I play with my fingers. Lots of fun exploration and loads of encouragement. Ted is a one-of-a-kind teacher who will help you reconnect with your love of all things musical.
Hannah Friedman
Ted is one of the most insightful and encouraging teachers I've ever met.
His excitement for the material makes me excited. I'm learning beyond my expectations, and enjoying the process. I highly recommend Ted!
Stephanie Morgan
Ted has a gift for understanding the unique needs of every student.
I so admire his ability to adjust his piano curriculum for each specific student elegantly and enthusiastically.
Linnea Sablosky
Ted is patient, highly knowledgeable, and caters our lessons to fit my musical interests.
As an adult student, I am grateful for Ted’s ability to give clear and achievable practice strategies that match my learning needs. As a fellow educator, I’ve also witnessed Ted’s warmth, joy, and ease while working with young learners. He is able to connect with his students both musically and on a human level – a rare and invaluable combination!
Lucy Stewart
I’m continually impressed with Ted's firm but humorous teaching style.
I’ve studied with Ted for a few years now. I’m continually impressed with Ted's firm but humorous teaching style. Also, he continues to hone his skills as a teacher; he actually teaches to each student as an individual. I really look forward to seeing him each week (especially if I have done my practice).
Diane Cordingley
Highly, highly recommend Ted as a teacher!
Ted is absolutely amazing! He's a brilliant pianist and arranger, and I love how attuned he is to my goals and musical curiosities. Our lessons feel more like dialogue between people with a shared passion, and he does an incredible job at balancing focused growth exercises with my natural tendencies towards unstructured improvisation.
Reef Loretto
Chords, scales, theory:
Never feel lost with these free reference guides to put on your music stand.
Learn major and minor chords by their shared shapes
Simplify any complex chord symbol into a familiar 3-note chord
Get a reference guide for all 12 note names
Get a 1-page
overview of every major scale
Get a 2-page overview of every chord on the piano
