Hi everyone, I don't have a diploma in piano, but I studied with a private teacher for 3 years and approached composition as a self-taught person.
In my opinion, studying composition opens your mind to what music truly is, and because of this, I changed my plans: in June, I decided to take the COMPOSITION entrance exam to enter the pre-academic program at the conservatory, instead of piano.
I wanted to ask a few questions to those who are already composers or are studying composition: will this study improve my relationship with the piano? That is, make it more intimate (in the sense that I know where to put my hands and why, and even go beyond that).
In your opinion, should I also take the piano exam and attend both courses, or is the composition course sufficient and then perhaps continue piano with a private teacher? What is the path of this study like?
Please tell me, since you know more than I do, and forgive my questions.
Your questions are beautiful, tough, and full of life!
I am not a composer; I am just someone who feels music as THE greatest reality of their own life.
The study of composition will certainly serve you. To the question-title you wanted to give the discussion, I answer "Yes."
The historical study of musical structures and forms will surely help you find and clarify your inner lexicon.
I believe your relationship with the piano will be neither more intense nor more bland: it will only be more conscious (therefore better).
The piano will become an 'instrument' for you in the true sense of the word: sometimes it will be necessary to convey your ideas (your art), other times you will do without it because, in certain cases, you will clearly realize that it is not the right instrument.
I didn't understand if you are attending composition classes because you have changed your vocation or if you will continue to be a performer. In the latter case, you will be able to improve your intellectual memory and will certainly have more tools to interpret the thought of the composer whose music you must perform.
Hello to you all and thank you for your answers. I have been studying piano with a private teacher and had decided to apply for admission to the pre-academic course at the conservatory for piano, then I moved towards composition and decided to apply for composition.... I don't know if it is possible to attend two courses at the same time.
Anyway, in case I were to undertake the study of only composition at the conservatory, would I continue to study piano or is it just theory??
How many years is the pre-academic course? Is there anyone who is already a composer or who is inside a conservatory who could answer my questions and perhaps tell about their experience.... it would be of great help and encouragement.
Thank you
G
Gerardo
Member
Reply 5 by Gerardo
Posts
277
Sorry Armony, if you enroll in composition... hopefully you will study composition. Piano is "only" a complementary subject. I write "only" in quotes because there is a very substantial piano program planned, but it is absolutely not aimed at training pianists; as Frank was explaining between the lines, knowing how to use a polyphonic instrument is necessary to tackle part of the program.
As for theory alone, I don't know what is meant, composition is a very practical art... do you have any idea how much practice it requires?
I think I understood what Armony means. Basically, they are asking if attending the composition course involves studying by working on the piano, or if the teachings are solely theoretical.
Mio point of view: as Gerardo and Frank have already told you. The study of the piano in the diploma course (now degree) in Composition belongs to what is called a complementary subject, just as the study of harmony is complementary in the diploma course (now degree) in Piano. Therefore, in the piano course, foundations of harmony are given which serve the pianist for performing harmonic analysis of the pieces they must interpret, but which absolutely do not put them in a position to compose according to the rules of composition precisely because, as this is not the objective of the course of study, all those studies on instruments, forms, and composition in various musical genres and for various ensembles are not carried out. The opposite is also true, namely that in the Composition course, foundations for piano study are provided, with pieces that are quite technically simple which put you in a position to "test" what you write but certainly do not allow you to perform the full extent of Chopin's studies. That is more or less how things stand.
Anyway, if I were to undertake the study of composition only at the conservatory, would I continue to study piano or is it just theory??
The course is called score reading. In the first years, it involves studying pieces from the piano repertoire; in the higher courses (three-year and two-year programs), the focus shifts to broader scores (for ensembles) with the goal of reducing them for the piano.
