Basic Harpsichord Course
Harpsichord Course
At the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, students can learn to play the harpsichord through a comprehensive and personalized curriculum, starting with weekly individual harpsichord lessons and enriched by the many growth opportunities offered by the Fiesole institution.
The harpsichord course is open not only to children and adolescents but also to all early music enthusiasts who wish to learn to play this flagship instrument of Renaissance and Baroque music, which shaped European musical life for centuries in theaters, courts, and homes with its sound.
Learning and studying the harpsichord allows students to immerse themselves in the heart of music itself with an instrument that plays both solo and chamber roles, holds an important place in the orchestra and accompanies opera recitatives.
The school offers two harpsichord study options for children, adolescents, and early music enthusiasts: a pre-academic harpsichord course (featuring individual lessons and structured across three levels, each culminating in proficiency exams) and a non-curricular harpsichord course (without proficiency exams).Il corso di clavicembalo si rivolge non solo a bambini e ragazzi, ma anche a tutti i cultori di musica antica che desiderano imparare a suonare questo strumento principe della musica rinascimentale e barocca, il cui suono ha caratterizzato la vita musicale europea per secoli nei teatri, a corte e nelle case.
The harpsichord course begins with a general introduction to the instrument, covering its various components and explaining how sound is produced. At the same time, students are taught proper posture for the body and hands, leading to early experiences in sound production with the harpsichord.
The harpsichord course at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole covers a range of instrumental techniques, beginning with basics (posture, touch, sound control) and advancing to more complex skills (reading ancient scores, performing ornamentation, diminution, and basso continuo). These skills are developed through a curriculum starting at the beginner level and progressing to intermediate and advanced levels. Each of these three levels requires not only attendance at individual instrument lessons but also ongoing practice at home and participation in complementary courses, and it culminates in a certification exam.
There is also a non-curricular harpsichord course (minimum age 11), in which students can attend lessons without the need to complete proficiency exams.
Concerts, recitals, and various performance opportunities allow harpsichord students to take center stage from the very first level of the course. This is in line with the school’s educational philosophy, which views public musical performance as an essential component of a musician’s growth and a highly valuable learning experience for all.
For younger children, prior to beginning harpsichord lessons, it is recommended they attend a preparatory course to ensure a more natural approach to the instrument.
For children aged 0-6, the school offers Musicami, a music course based on E. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, while for children aged 3-9, rhythmic-choral activities are available.
Children, adolescents, and early music enthusiasts
From June 1st to September 1st
From September to June
Variable based on ISEE. Please click “Fees” button for details
if places are available, it is possible to enroll during the course of the year