Undergraduate Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts
Piano Performance Degree
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 (30 credits) and Private Lessons (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/Keyboards Recording and Technology
- OPIAN-405Keyboards for Live Performance (using Apple MainStage)
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Choose two harmony courses from the following (6 credits):
- OHARM-100Music Foundations
- OHARM-101Music Theory 101
- 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)
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OPLPN-101
Private Piano Lesson Level 1
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OPLPN-102
Private Piano Lesson Level 2
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OPLPN-201
Private Piano Lesson Level 3
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OPLPN-202
Private Piano Lesson Level 4
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OPLPN-203
Private Piano Lesson Level 5
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OPLPN-301
Private Piano Lesson Level 6
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OPLPN-302
Private Piano Lesson Level 7
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OPLPN-401
Private Piano Lesson Level 8
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OPLPN-402
Private 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 Introduction to 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 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) courses from the following (12 credits):
- OLART-100 Developing Your Artistry
- OLART-111 Introduction to College Writing
- OLART-160 Introduction to Digital Cinematography
- 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
- 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
- OCDAN-103 Introduction to 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-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-150Introduction to Computer Programming for Musicians
- OLMSC-215Acoustics
- OLMSC-260Sampling and Audio Production
- OMPRD-210Audio Fundamentals for Recording
- OMBUS-475Music Business Finance
How to Apply
- 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 $59,880 (current) / $60,600 (Sept. 2022 onward) 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: