♪ Online Piano University
Free · University-Level · From Your First Note

The University Piano Course for Beginners — Now Free

A real, university-level beginner course — taught for years at colleges by Dr. Maria Pisarenko (DMA) — now free, step by step, from your very first note. Learn to really play: both hands, pedal, reading music — properly, with no bad habits to un-learn.

▶ Start the Free Course Watch on YouTube →
Dr. Maria Pisarenko· Doctor of Musical Arts· International Competition Prizewinner· University Professor
Dr. Maria Pisarenko, concert pianist, at the piano
Dr. Maria PisarenkoDMA · Concert Pianist · Your teacher
DMAMoscow Conservatory SchoolSteinway Top TeacherPrizewinner — Paris · RomeStudents earn top marks (ABRSM / Royal Academy)
Start here

This is for you if…

Why this is different

Most channels teach you to press keys. I teach you to really play.

This is the actual curriculum I teach at universities — proven over years — that builds a real foundation: posture, hand position, reading, technique, musicianship. Build that foundation, and you can play anything: classical, film music, the songs you love.

A real course, in order — not random tips

Follows Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Piano Course, Level 1 — the same book I teach from at the college level. Lesson by lesson, nothing skipped.

See the free course →

Try it right now

Play your first note — right here

Tap the keys, use your computer keyboard (A S D F…), or plug in a digital piano by USB. Start with middle C — the key with the label.

Try it: record yourself, then play it back — your first composition.

This is how the course begins — one note, done properly.

▶ Now learn to really play — free course Get the full experience — Maestra app →

The free course

Start Here — the Free University Beginner Course

Step by step, in order, free on YouTube. You'll learn to sit & position your hands · read notes, key signatures (to 1 sharp / 1 flat) & time (2/4, 3/4, 4/4) · chords · pedal · play with both hands · and perform your first real pieces.

Lesson 1 — Warm Up the Keyboard

Your very first lesson: how to sit, find your hand shape, and get comfortable at the keyboard.

Then continue in order — 41 lessons:

  • C Position (right & left hand)
  • Reading notes & the Grand Staff
  • Intervals (2nds → octaves)
  • Chords: C, G7, F, D7
  • Sharps, flats & naturals
  • Scales: C, G, F
  • Time signatures & rhythm
  • Your first real pieces

▶ Begin with Lesson 1

Find your path

Where are you starting from?

Pick what sounds like you — each path leads into the free course.

🌱

Complete beginner

Never played a note. Start from scratch, the right way.
↩️

Returning after years

Played as a kid? Rebuild technique and freedom.
🎵

Play the songs I love

Learn the foundation, then play anything.
👶

For my child

Give them a proper start from a university teacher.
The result

In a few weeks, you'll be able to…

Read basic music

Notes, key signatures (to 1♯/1♭), and counting in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.

Play hands together

Both hands, with the damper pedal — smoothly and musically.

Perform real pieces

Complete beginner pieces, played properly — not just pressed.

Want personal help?

Online 1-on-1 Lessons via Zoom

Prefer one-on-one? I teach private piano lessons online — personalized to your level and goals, from anywhere in the world. Beginners to advanced.

Book an online lesson →

I teach students around the world — all lessons are online via Zoom, in English or Russian.

🎹

Learn from a DMA & university professor

Same expert teaching, flexible scheduling, from home.

About

Dr. Maria (Masha) Pisarenko

I'm a concert pianist, Doctor of Musical Arts, and international competition prizewinner — trained in the great Russian tradition at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Gnessin Academy, with a doctorate in the USA. I teach piano at the college and university level — and here, I teach you: warmly, simply, from your very first note.

DMA — Doctor of Musical Arts Moscow Conservatory school Gnessin Academy Prizewinner — Paris · Rome Steinway Top Teacher University Professor

More about me →

Dr. Maria Pisarenko at the piano
See me perform

Your teacher is a concert pianist

Stages across Russia, Europe, Asia and the USA — including the Royal Academy of Music (London), the Paris Conservatory and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

Grieg — Piano Concerto in A minor (live with orchestra)

Solo Piano Recital — live classical concert

What students say

Loved by students & audiences

★★★★★

“After being away from piano lessons for 15 years… Dr. Pisarenko is a great instructor for me. She's kind and patient and encouraging… top notch instruction. She's the best!”

— Guillo L., returning adult studentYelp

★★★★★

“Dr. Masha is a patient and wonderful teacher. Our son started playing when he was 7, and within six months played his first recital! I love that she teaches both theory and technical skills.”

— Victoria C., parentYelp

★★★★★

“Dr. Pisarenko has been wonderful!!! She is very patient, very flexible with scheduling and I have learned so much from her in such a short period of time!”

— Sarah K., adult beginnerYelp

Read more reviews →

Coming from Dr. Maria Pisarenko

🚀 The piano app that teaches you to really play

The keyboard you just played is the first little piece of something much bigger: an app where a real concert pianist guides you note by note — honest feedback, real technique, real musicianship. Built on my own method, refined over 30 years of teaching.

Be the first to know — join the free course list below and you're on the Maestra list too. 🎹

Free guide

Get my free Adult Beginner's Piano Starter Guide

The first steps to start the right way — no bad habits to un-learn. Join fellow beginners learning with a real university teacher.

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What you'll need

Recommended books & keyboards

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

📘 The Book

Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One, Level 1 — the course book.

View on Amazon →

🎹 Yamaha P71

88 weighted keys — a great first digital piano.

View on Amazon →

🎹 Roland FP-10

Excellent weighted action for beginners.

View on Amazon →

🎹 Casio PX-S1100

Slim, weighted, beautiful sound.

View on Amazon →

See all recommended gear →

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Questions

Frequently asked

Am I too old to start?

No. Adults learn piano beautifully — the key is a proper method and a steady path, which is exactly what this course gives you.

Is it really free?

Yes — the full beginner course lives on YouTube, free. The website simply helps you follow it in order and go deeper.

Where do lessons take place?

Everything is online: the free course lives on YouTube, and 1-on-1 lessons happen worldwide via Zoom. I teach students across the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Do I need a real piano?

A digital piano with 88 weighted keys is perfect to start — see the recommended keyboards above.

Do you teach 1-on-1 online?

Yes, via Zoom — tailored to your level and goals, from anywhere. Details & pricing →

Ready to finally play?

Start the free university course — from your very first note.

▶ Start the Free Course

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