Basic Piano Courses

The piano course begins by introducing students to the instrument’s fascinating and complex structure. Children explore the keyboard, the mechanics, the strings, and the soundboard, discovering these components’ roles in sound creation. Chidren are encouraged to experiment with sound production, resonance, pitch, dynamics and the keyboard’s spatial dimensions.

Open-keyboard activities help students become familiar with the piano as a whole. Proper seating posture is also emphasized from the beginning, to avoid muscle strain in the neck, shoulders, and back.

The school offers two options for basic piano courses, both suitable for children without any musical experience. Students can participate in the first two years of Suoninsieme courses, where they attend shared piano lessons in small groups of peers formed by three children, or begin with individual lessons.

In both cases, piano students take part in group activities such as Cantare il solfeggio, an introductory theory course that uses a playful approach to teach sound, silence, duration, and pitch. This helps students gain familiarity with musical concepts, develop motor coordination, and interact with peers.

From the beginning, young piano students also experience orchestral play, learning to play with others and to contribute as a simple part to the full ensemble.

Through the piano course, students grow increasingly comfortable with the instrument, recognizing the position and order of keys, and learning to coordinate fingers, hand, and wrist movements with sound production. Gradual skill development enables a deeper exploration of piano technique, including relaxed keyboard approach, hand agility and coordination, control of the sound space and of the various parts of the instrument (included, as soon as possible, pedal use), with a strong focus on sound quality.

From the start, expression and musicality are emphasized, with attention to phrasing, dynamics, and tonal colors. Gradually, piano students learn basic theoretical concepts such as notation and musical timing, and they learn to read music. Teachers provide guidance on study materials, offer consistent support, and encourage students’ commitment.

Alongside lessons, individual practice is essential to reinforce acquired skills. Having a piano at home is recommended to support regular practice.

The pre-academic piano course is structured across three progressive levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced), each with certification exams to verify progress. Complementary courses included in the curriculum must be attended at each level.

Additionally, a non-curricular piano course is available for students aged 11 and up, with no required exams.

The teaching approach at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole puts great value in public performance as a vital part of music education and personal development for chidren and adolescents. Piano students, from the beginning of their studies, will have opportunities to participate in concerts, recitals, and other performance activities, both as soloists and in chamber ensembles.

Before teaching piano to children, the school recommends two preparatory paths, tailored to different ages, to ease their transition into piano study. The Musicami course, based on E. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, is designed for children ages 0 to 6, while rhythm-choral activities are available for children ages 3 to 9.