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Berklee — Suzanna Sifter

Piano Scales for Modern Music

Practice major, minor, pentatonic, modal and blues scales with Berklee’s Suzanna Sifter, connecting fingering routines with musical improvisation.

PaidIntermediate4–10 hoursEnglishCertificatePiano
Go to course

Opens on the provider’s site. Check current access and certificate terms there.

Course overview

Four modules develop scales as both practice material and a source of melody. Suzanna Sifter introduces fingering and daily routines before pentatonics, modes and blues applications. Backing tracks and exercises connect a pattern on the keyboard with the sound it creates over a progression.

What you will learn

  • Practice scales with deliberate fingering
  • Compare modes and pentatonic sounds
  • Use a scale in a short improvisation

Who this suits

The provider lists Intermediate. Basic keyboard technique and music-reading familiarity help learners focus on scale choices and musical application rather than locating every note.

Before you enroll

The schedule suggests one week at ten study hours, while practice can extend beyond that estimate. Access to a piano or keyboard is necessary. Repeating a scale quickly is different from hearing when it fits; compare the sound with the backing harmony and avoid measuring progress only by speed.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Improvise two short original melodies over the same backing progression using different scale choices. Record them and explain how the note selection changes the musical character.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on . It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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At a glance

Provider
Coursera
Learning format
Course
Price
Paid
Level
Intermediate
Study time (approx.)
4–10 hours
Language
English
Certificate
Available; check provider terms
Created by
Berklee — Suzanna Sifter
Category
Piano
Subject
Music
Page updated
12 Oct 2026