POP-ROCK PIANO AND KEYBOARDS
PREPARATORY COURSE
Preparatory Course in Pop-Rock Piano and Keyboards
The Pop Rock Piano and Keyboard Course at the Saint Louis College of Music is a preparatory course designed for access to first-level academic courses in Popular Music. The program is aimed at pianists and keyboardists who wish to develop instrumental technique, harmonic awareness, and mastery of pop rock language in a professional teaching context.
The course integrates individual piano and keyboard lessons, practice in instrumental ensembles and live activities, with emphasis on accompaniment, voicing, groove and interaction with the rhythm section. Training is geared toward performance, repertoire study, and building skills applicable in both live and recording studio settings.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
The pre-academic Pop Rock Piano and Keyboard course varies in length from 1 to 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and pace of learning.
The teaching structure is designed to accompany progressively towardadmission to the first-level academic courses of the Saint Louis College of Music..
During the course you will acquire skills in the following areas:
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Individual piano and keyboard lessons, with a teacher chosen by the student, to develop modern piano technique, instrument control and stylistic awareness.
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Study of harmony applied to the piano, with emphasis on voicing, accompaniment, chord structures and practical use in the pop rock context.
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Practices in instrumental ensembles, from trio to medium-sized ensembles, to work on Italian and international pop rock repertoire and interaction with rhythm section.
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In-depth study of the languages of Popular Music, with elements of contemporary pop, rock, soul and modern contaminations.
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Use of electronic keyboards, with introduction to sounds, timbres, layering and management of live setups.
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Introduction to music technology, through the use of sequencing software and tools for pre-production of original music projects.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Pop Rock Piano and Keyboard Course, the student enters directly into the three-year Level I Academic Diploma in Popular Music, a degree recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and awarded by the Saint Louis College of Music..
The academic course enables the development of technical, harmonic and professional skills geared toward entering the contemporary music industry, both in live and studio recording.
Career outlets of the Three-Year Academic Level I Program in Piano and Pop Keyboards.
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Professional pianist and keyboardist for live performances, concerts, touring and recording sessions in Pop, Rock and Contemporary Music.
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Turner and session player, for record, television and multimedia productions.
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Musician in bands and original projects, with a central role in accompaniment, voicing and harmonic balance.
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Arranger and musical collaborator for small and medium-sized ensembles, with emphasis on the use of keyboards and applied harmony.
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Author of music for soundtracks and music applied to images, for audiovisual, digital media and multimedia content.
The pre-academic Pop Rock Piano and Keyboard courses at the Saint Louis College of Music do not start from scratch and assume at least two to three years of prior instrumental practice. The course is designed for students who have already acquired the technical fundamentals of modern piano and keyboards and wish to structure their training with a view toentering first-level academic courses.
Entrance testing and personalization
It is possible to enter the first year or to be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the pre-academic placement test.
For each subject, the student is placed in the level best suited to his or her skills. For example, it is possible to be admitted to an advanced level of piano and keyboards, an intermediate level of harmony, and a beginning level of ear training. Each discipline then follows its own path, calibrated to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent, effective and personalized educational progression.
How the entrance test is conducted
Placement tests for Saint Louis pre-college courses are held:
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in June
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In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
- Piano test, with performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice and any in-depth study required by the committee (see the admission program by clicking on “Download syllabus“ above)
- Harmony test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
- Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
- Aptitude interview, aimed at assessing the candidate’s profile, awareness of the chosen path and motivation to study
