Kiefer's 15 Exercises
An online course to improve your writing, so you never get stuck not knowing what to play again.
These exercises helped make me the musician I am today.
I wanted to do something a little different with this course. It's not really even a course in a traditional sense. I'm not lecturing you about what secondary dominants are or some other theory concept. It's much more practical than that. All action, all writing.
Basically, I'm sharing with you some of the most important exercises that helped me in my journey. Many of them were given to me by my teachers, but they're all filtered through my voice and my experiences. They're kind of like games — games with specific constraints that can help you grow as a musician and composer, and also give you ideas when the well has run dry. You'll walk away with a host of new tools in your toolkit.
My goal is both that you banish writer's block for good, and feel more confident in yourself as a musician and composer. I never had more fun than when I was learning and doing these exercises myself, and I'm excited to pass on that experience and opportunity to you. I hope you'll check it out.
— Kiefer
Basically, I'm sharing with you some of the most important exercises that helped me in my journey. Many of them were given to me by my teachers, but they're all filtered through my voice and my experiences. They're kind of like games — games with specific constraints that can help you grow as a musician and composer, and also give you ideas when the well has run dry. You'll walk away with a host of new tools in your toolkit.
My goal is both that you banish writer's block for good, and feel more confident in yourself as a musician and composer. I never had more fun than when I was learning and doing these exercises myself, and I'm excited to pass on that experience and opportunity to you. I hope you'll check it out.
— Kiefer
What You Can Expect
Browse the curriculum below.
-
-
Introduction
FREE PREVIEW -
Exercise 1: Free Write
-
-
-
Exercise 2: Up Down
-
Exercise 3: Squiggly Line
-
Exercise 4: One-Key Melody
-
-
-
Kiefer's Harmony Crash Course
-
Exercise 5: Shared Chords
-
Exercise 6: Change the Key
FREE PREVIEW
-
-
-
Exercise 7: Change the Notes
-
Exercise 8: Write It Backwards
-
Exercise 9: Simple Structure
-
-
-
Exercise 10: Pedaling
-
Exercise 11: Pivot Note
-
Exercise 12: The Dice Exercise
-
-
-
Exercise 13: Advanced Dice
-
Exercise 14: Key Flash Cards
-
Exercise 15: Squiggly Line Contrafact
-
Goodbye & Next Steps
-
Quick Facts
- $100.00
- 18 lessons
- Downloadable videos
- Unlimited access, whenever, forever
What You'll Learn
These 15 exercises cover a wide range of different concepts, from melody-writing to harmony to structure and beyond.
-
Exercises to help you write different, interesting melodies.
-
Exercises for exploring chords and harmony, and for writing interesting progressions.
-
Exercises for approaching the arrangement and structure of a song in new ways.
-
Exercises to help you be more intentional about what you play, both melody and harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Who is this course for?
This course is primarily for intermediate pianists interested in getting better at writing and playing different melodies, harmonies, song structures, and more. It is not a beginner course.
-
What will I learn in this course?
You will learn 15 powerful writing exercises that were critical to my own development as a musician, exercises to prevent writer's block and help you never feel like you don't know what to play next or what to work on next. Each of these exercises also raises important melodic, harmonic, or arranging concepts that will help you grow and learn as a pianist and musician. Most of all, you will gain confidence as a music maker, pianist, and composer.
-
What do I get when I purchase?
You will get unlimited access to all the videos and content in this course, forever. You can go at your own pace, and watch the videos whenever you like. The videos are downloadable, and there is no expiration date on your access to the course.
-
Is there a specific start date? How long does it take?
You can start anytime and take as long as you want with it. I recommend doing an exercise a day, so if you do that, it would take 15 days total.
-
Will I be able to interact with Kiefer?
There are discussion threads within each lesson where you can leave questions, and I may answer from time to time, but this is a pre-recorded course, so doesn't include direct interaction with me. (We're working on something like that... coming soon!)
-
If I buy this course, where's my money going?
This course is owned and produced entirely by me (and my team). All the money goes to either offset the costs of making this course or investing in future ones. There is no other school or company behind this.
Check Out Kiefer's Other Courses
Buy multiple courses in a bundle, or one at a time.
-
Kiefer's 3 Course Bundle
BundleBuy all three of Kiefer's courses together at a 40% discount to improve your piano and music-making skills next year.
$250
-
Kiefer's Writing & Harmony Bundle
BundleBuy Kiefer's two exercise courses with tons of exercises on writing new songs and improving your harmonies.
$150
-
Kiefer: Keys, Chords, & Beats
CourseThe original Kiefer course, created in partnership with Soundfly, but now available to own. Learn the basics of how Kiefer thinks of harmony, melody-writing, improvisation, and beatmaking.
$150
About Kiefer
Kiefer is a Grammy Award-winning producer and pianist known for fusing soulful jazz piano with a modern harmonic sensibility and hip-hop/electronic beats. His music is richly versed in the deep heritage of jazz and bebop, but not constrained by it. His five full-length albums include Kickinit Alone, Happysad, Between Days, When There's Love Around, and It's Ok, B U, and he has a number of other EPs, singles, and collaborations. He's worked and performed with artists like Drake, Kaytranada, Sir, Terrace Martin, Anderson .Paak, and Mndsgn.
