Undergraduate Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts
Piano Performance Degree
• Get a decision within 1 week
The Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance will empower you with the musical development and keyboard skills required of a modern musician in today’s industry. The program incorporates coursework in three areas critical to advancing a career as a piano/keyboard player: technique, performance, and technology. You will strengthen your piano and performance skills, practicing technique, music theory, and performance, all while developing your unique style. You’ll also study piano/keyboard technology, which will allow you to record, edit, mix, and master your tracks using a digital audio workstation and supporting hardware and software.
Additionally, you’ll receive private instruction in a one-to-one weekly lesson with a Berklee Online instructor. The core curriculum is supported by coursework in other disciplines, such as songwriting, music production, music business, music theory, and other instruments, to strengthen your knowledge and skills in alignment with your educational and career goals.
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Develop piano technique in a variety of musical genres, finding your unique style while learning to play healthily and sustainably
- Develop your own personal performance technique, becoming a compelling performer in live, recorded, and streamed settings
- Apply a working knowledge of music theory to be a more effective piano/keyboard player in professional settings
- Develop recording technology skills specific for keyboard/piano players, including recording and mixing tracks and file sharing protocols
- Create a sustainable career as a working pianist/keyboardist
- Compile an expansive repertoire
Curriculum
(120 Credits)
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Concentrate Courses (48 credits)
(30 Concentrate Course credits + 18 Private Lesson credits)Complete all of the following (18 credits):
- OPIAN-200Piano Technique 101
- OPIAN-210Intermediate Keyboard or OPIAN-220Blues and Rock Keyboard Techniques or OPIAN-230Pop/Rock Keyboard
- OPIAN-240Piano Scales 101
- OPIAN-245Piano Chords 101
- OPIAN-310Piano and Keyboard Techniques for Session Musicians
- OPIAN-405Keyboards for Live Performance: Techniques and Technology
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Choose two harmony courses from the following (6 credits):
- OHARM-100Music for Beginners
- OHARM-101Music Theory 101
- OHARM-104Music Theory Fundamentals
- OHARM-105Music Application and Theory
- OHARM-110Getting Inside Harmony 1
- OHARM-201Music Theory 201: Harmony and Function
- OHARM-211Getting Inside Harmony 2
- OHARM-212Harmony 2
- OHARM-301Music Theory 301: Advanced Melody, Harmony, Rhythm
- OHARM-412Reharmonization Techniques
- OCOMP-110Music Theory and Composition 1
- OCOMP-111Music Theory and Composition 2
- OCOMP-210Music Theory and Composition 3
- OCOMP-211Music Theory and Composition 4
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Choose two ear training courses from the following (6 credits):
- OEART-115Basic Ear Training
- OEART-119Ear Training 1
- OEART-120Ear Training 2
- OEART-215Ear Training for Live Performance
- OEART-320Harmonic Ear Training: Recognizing Chord Progressions
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Private Lessons
Complete nine semesters of private piano lessons, each worth 2 credits (18 credits)
- OPLPN-101Private Piano Lesson Level 1
- OPLPN-102Private Piano Lesson Level 2
- OPLPN-201Private Piano Lesson Level 3
- OPLPN-202Private Piano Lesson Level 4
- OPLPN-203Private Piano Lesson Level 5
- OPLPN-301Private Piano Lesson Level 6
- OPLPN-302Private Piano Lesson Level 7
- OPLPN-401Private Piano Lesson Level 8
- OPLPN-402Private Piano Lesson Level 9
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Elective Courses (30 credits, 10 courses)
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Complete any five courses coded with OPIAN (15 credits)
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Complete any five courses, except Liberal Arts courses coded with OLART, OLSOC, or OLMSC, in your area of interest and professional development (e.g., music business, songwriting, arranging, orchestration, etc.). (15 credits)
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Liberal Arts Courses (42 Credits) +
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Complete one Composition/Writing (OLART) course from the following (3 credits):
- OLART-111 College Writing or OLART-201 Creative Writing: Literature Studies for Musicians or OLART-215 Creative Writing: Poetry or OLART-216 Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice
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Complete one History (OLART) course from the following (3 credits):
- OLART-170 Rock History or OLART-220 History of Film Music or OLART-231 Art History of the Western European Tradition or OLART-233 Music History of the Western World 1: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque or OLART-234 Music History of the Western World 2: Classical, Romantic, and Modern
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Complete any four additional Arts/Humanities (OLART, OMPRD, OCDAN, OCTHR, OAFST) courses from the following (12 credits):
- OLART-100 Developing Your Artistry
- OMPRD-110 Music Video Production
- OAFST-110 Black Creative Expression: An Introduction to Africana Studies
- OLART-111 College Writing
- OLART-160 Digital Cinematography Fundamentals
- OLART-170 Rock History
- OLART-201 Creative Writing: Literature Studies for Musicians
- OLART-205 Game Design Principles
- OLART-215 Creative Writing: Poetry
- OLART-216 Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice
- OLART-220 History of Film Music
- OLART-231 Art History of the Western European Tradition
- OLART-233 Music History of the Western World 1: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque
- OLART-234 Music History of the Western World 2: Classical, Romantic, and Modern
- OLART-400 Career and Job Success in the Music Industry
- OMPRD-250 Music Video Editing with Final Cut Pro
- OMPRD-251 Creative Video Editing with Adobe Premiere
- OCDAN-103 Iconic Dance and Urban Movement
- OCTHR-103 Script Analysis for Theater
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Complete four Social Sciences (OLSOC) courses from the following (12 credits):
- OLSOC-100 Wellness for Artists: Music, Movement, and Mindfulness
- OLSOC-150 The Language of Film and TV
- OLSOC-180 Project Management for Musicians
- OLSOC-200 Business Communications
- OLSOC-210 Music, Self, and Society
- OLSOC-226 New Media Economics: Music, Mobile, Gaming, and Online Markets
- OLSOC-307 Music Cognition
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Complete four Math and Physical/Natural Sciences (OLMSC, OMPRD, OMBUS) courses from the following (12 credits):
- OLMSC-101Music Production 101
- OLMSC-130Applied Mathematics for Musicians
- OLMSC-150Computer Programming Fundamentals
- OLMSC-215Acoustics
- OLMSC-250Music and Neuroscience
- OLMSC-260Sampling and Audio Production
- OMPRD-210Audio Fundamentals for Recording
- OMBUS-475Music Business Finance
How should I set up my schedule, based on the above requirements?
Check out this handy planning guide to help you understand which courses you should take during which semester.
View Sample SchedulePrivate Lessons
Piano majors in the Bachelor of Arts degree program complete nine levels of private piano lessons. Each level of private lessons is 12 weeks in duration and involves a weekly, one-hour, live webcam session with a faculty member of your choosing. The lessons provide the opportunity to expand your musical vocabulary, improve technique, and gain valuable insight into your own strengths and areas of development.
Private lesson instructors will share their practical knowledge and coach you through lesson material at a pace individually tailored to your needs. You’ll receive one-on-one weekly feedback on your progress and get new practice instructions and guidance through each lesson.
When / How to Enroll in Your Private Lessons
When course registration opens for the semester, you will be able to register for the appropriate private lesson course level, and then select a day, time, and instructor. Private majors in the Bachelor of Arts degree will earn two credits for the successful completion of each level of private lessons, for a total of 18 credits.
How to Apply
• Get a decision within 1 week
• $75 application fee waived
- Fill out the online application (15 minutes)
- Create a 500-750 word essay, or a 3-5 minute video essay
- Prepare a recorded audition
- Attach your official transcripts
- Ask for two letters of recommendation
Read full undergraduate admissions requirement details here.
Save
65%
Online undergraduate degree tuition vs. campus tuition
Affordable Tuition
Online undergraduate degree tuition is $66,650 for 120 credits (includes associated fees). To get started, this degree program includes a non-refundable $75 application fee.
Read full tuition and associated program fee details for this, and all other undergraduate programs here.
Available Financial Aid
Ready to Return to Berklee or Transfer in Credits from Another Institution to Complete Your Degree?
Students transferring in from an accredited institution can carry over up to 60 credits, and students with previous Berklee experience may be able to transfer even more.
Learn about our different transfer options: