Online
Piano
Lessons

Course Overview

This piano course is conducted online and is designed for children aged 5 and above, as well as adults of all ages. In our piano course, you will learn to play classical, jazz, and contemporary piano pieces, as well as read sheet music of any complexity. We have developed a structured program with three levels of difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. For children aged 5-6, we offer a preparatory level.

Each piano lesson lasts 45 minutes and is conducted one-on-one. Our instructors are fluent in both Russian and English, allowing students to choose their preferred language of instruction. As for the scheduling of online piano lessons, our school's administrators work closely and professionally with each student to accommodate their preferences and constraints, resulting in a convenient and flexible schedule for every learner.

We provide online piano lessons through platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. Our piano instructors hold advanced degrees in their field, possess extensive teaching experience, and many are active performers.

The frequency of online piano lesson attendance is tailored to each student's needs. We recommend attending two lessons per week, as this pace ensures steady progress, allows students to complete their homework, and reinforces the material covered in previous lessons.

Student participation in competitions and concerts is encouraged and rewarded with certificates and awards. These certificates serve as recognition of their creative development. Upon completion of each module, students receive a certificate confirming their successful mastery of a specific program segment, demonstrating a proper level of understanding and skill. At the end of each level, students are awarded a diploma, signifying their possession of all the necessary skills and knowledge for piano playing acquired during their course of study.

Methodology Description

The piano teaching methodology employed by the Montessori Center is a unique approach that focuses on the individual goals of each student.

At the core of this approach is the principle of setting specific goals for each student at the beginning of their learning journey. These goals take the form of musical pieces of varying levels of complexity that the student aspires to master. Progress is measured not through traditional exams but by participating in concerts and music competitions. This means that successfully performing a musical piece in a concert or competition is a crucial element of the learning process.

Advantages of the Methodology

The advantages of our methodology include the following:

1. Clear and Understandable Goals: Establishing specific goals helps students understand what they are aiming to achieve and provides them with a clear path to reaching those goals.

2. Individualized Learning Duration: Instead of imposing fixed timelines, our methodology allows students to progress at their own pace, depending on how quickly they achieve their goals.

3. Practical Experience Instead of Exams: Participating in concerts and music competitions offers students the opportunity to apply their skills on stage, rather than just taking exams.

4. Suitable for All Ages: Our methodology is suitable for both children and adults, making music education accessible to everyone.

5. Opportunities for Further Learning: After achieving their initial goals, students can continue their education and improve their skills, constantly refining their mastery.

One of the key strengths of our methodology is its adaptability to any student, regardless of their prior experience, age, or musical ambitions. This makes it ideal for beginners who are just starting their musical journey and for experienced musicians looking to deepen their expertise.

Such a flexible approach to learning also eases the learning process, making it more enjoyable and less stressful. Instead of feeling pressured to pass exams or adhere to a strict schedule, students can relish their learning experience, simply striving to achieve their goals.

Ultimately, our piano teaching methodology emphasizes the importance of an individualized approach and creates a positive and stimulating educational experience. It equips students not only with piano-playing skills but also with confidence, inspiration, and a love for music that they can carry with them throughout their lives.

Preparatory Level

The preparatory level program is designed for children aged 5-6. At such an early age in online piano lessons, students become acquainted with the fundamentals of music notation, the instrument itself, and most importantly, they begin playing from the very first lessons. Proper hand placement and gradual mastery of sound production techniques are the foundational and vital aspects of piano performance. The earlier a child starts learning to play the piano, the more time they have to achieve a high level of mastery!

Beginner Level

At the beginner level, students fully grasp music notation and learn to read sheet music, which is a fundamental element of musical education. This stage encompasses an understanding of rhythm, melody, and various musical symbols essential for accurately reproducing musical compositions. By the end of this course, students can play uncomplicated classical and contemporary pieces, equipped with basic technical piano-playing skills and the ability to handle sheet music of low to moderate complexity.

Intermediate Level

At the intermediate level of the course, students acquire all the core piano-playing skills necessary for performing more complex pieces. Fluency, confidence, and musicality become key aspects of their learning journey. Confidence in playing is expressed through the performer's ability to control every movement, which is vital for achieving precision in performance. Musicality involves the ability to express the emotional content of a piece, making the performance more engaging and impressive.

Advanced Level

At the advanced level, students learn to play complex compositions, conveying the composer's intentions, style, and era through various expressive techniques. During this stage, students study advanced techniques, master various sound-producing methods, and acquire skills in proper phrasing and dynamics.

By the end of the piano course, students can perform complex pieces, fully conveying the composer's intentions, style, and era. They possess the ability to deeply delve into the content of a composition and embody it through their performance, utilizing all the technical techniques they have learned. They have at their disposal powerful means of expression, including phrasing, a wide dynamic range, various finger articulations, and more.

Over the course of several years, students also develop a profound understanding of music theory and history. This enables them to professionally perceive and interpret musical compositions, considering the context of their creation. It's important to note that at this level of education, students also learn to work with musical literature and analyze complex sheet music, which is crucial for comprehending and mastering challenging musical material.

Finally, throughout the course, performance skills are actively developed. Students participate in various concerts and competitions, gaining the necessary experience in public performance. This contributes to the development of stage confidence, the ability to control nervousness, and adaptability to different performance conditions. Ultimately, upon completion of their education, students possess all the necessary skills and knowledge for professional piano performance.

Course Objectives

One of the key objectives is to master the technique of playing the piano, a wonderful musical instrument. For a beginner musician, this includes developing finger agility, a crucial component that allows for the performance of complex musical compositions without slowing down the tempo or making mistakes. This requires practice and continuous refinement. In addition, students learn various sound-producing techniques, which enable them to alter the instrument's sound according to the musical context and desired effect.

Another important goal of the course is to teach students to read sheet music of any complexity. This indispensable skill for any pianist enables them to interact freely with musical literature and transform the written notes into music. Upon achieving this goal, our students can read the notes of their favorite compositions and independently decipher melodies they come across on the internet, even without a teacher!

One of the goals of learning to play the piano is to become proficient in performing works of various styles, ranging from classical sonatas to jazz standards or popular hits. Students are also challenged to explore and perform pieces of different styles, starting from classical sonatas and culminating in jazz standards or popular hits. This helps in building performance confidence, teaches how to manage stage anxiety, and allows students to assess their progress in the context of other musicians. Of course, the goal is not competition but continuous improvement and the joy of making music.

Benefits of Piano Lessons

Playing the piano is an art form that not only develops musical skills but also enriches one's emotional world, stimulates mental processes, and contributes to improved coordination and motor skills. Here are some interesting facts about piano lessons:

Piano lessons help develop memory:
Playing the piano actively engages memory, especially when musicians need to memorize lengthy musical compositions. This trains the brain and enhances memory, not only in musical activities but also in other areas of life.

Piano education can enhance mathematical skills:
Research shows that musical education can improve mathematical skills. Notes and rhythms all require a fundamental understanding of mathematics.

Piano lessons develop multitasking skills:
Playing the piano requires simultaneous actions like reading music, finger control, listening to the sound, keeping the rhythm, and more. This trains the brain to perform multiple tasks at once.

Piano lessons can be therapeutic:
Music has a profound impact on our emotional state. Playing the piano can help combat stress, improve mood, and enhance emotional intelligence.

Piano is one of the few instruments that can play melody and harmony simultaneously:
This makes it an ideal instrument for solo performance as well as accompaniment for other musicians and singers.

Piano lessons improve social skills:
While learning to play the piano can be an individual process, as students progress, they often have opportunities to play in ensembles, duets, or orchestras. This teaches teamwork and empathy.

Online piano lessons support creative thinking:
Students are not only required to understand music but also to interpret and express themselves creatively through it.

Playing the piano can improve hand-eye coordination:
It involves coordinated hand and eye movements when reading sheet music and playing the piano simultaneously, which can enhance motor skills and coordination.

Piano lessons develop discipline and perseverance:
Learning to play the piano demands regular practice and persistence. Students learn patience and discipline while striving to improve their skills.

Piano education fosters a love for the arts:
Piano lessons not only teach students to play an instrument but also introduce them to the history of music, the lives of famous composers, and an appreciation for the art form as a whole. This can lead to a deep respect and love for the arts in general.