Piano Courses

There is no minimum age to start piano at Apolline, we accept all ages and all levels. Children can enroll at a very young age, although we recommend waiting until the age of 6 to start with a teacher. It is important to keep in mind that playing any instrument is a musical process that requires time and patience, especially for a beginner. We obviously encourage adults to take the plunge, keeping in mind that it may take more time and determination than for children. Regardless of the age of the learner, Apolline's piano instruction focuses on the learner's enjoyment and motivation, encouraging creativity and love of music.

At Apolline, we always offer a first free trial lesson in our offices at the Rue de Genève in Lausanne in order to establish a first contact and to get to know each other. It is important to note that we do not come to the student's home. We then evaluate the student's level with pedagogy and kindness. If this first trial lesson is successful, the student chooses a time slot that suits him/her and commits to weekly lessons. The teaching can then begin under the best conditions!

The average price of a music lesson for children varies between Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Lausanne depending on the teacher chosen. Prices can vary from Fr 50 to Fr 200 per hour for an experienced teacher. Students can also benefit from reduced rates, depending on their age and financial situation. At Apolline, we are pleased to offer affordable rates for all, allowing all children access to learning music. Thanks to our semi-private tuition system, we can offer very affordable rates compared to other music schools in Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Lausanne. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to discover their passion for music, and we are delighted to help them achieve this goal.

Yes, a piano lesson can be given online via webcam, as long as the teacher agrees to this. With the advances in technology and the popularity of online lessons since the pandemic, many teachers of all kinds are now using webcams to teach their students. Webcam piano lessons can be effective, especially for students who have busy schedules or live far from their teacher. We use several methods to teach online, using visual aids and screen sharing tools to enhance the quality of the lesson. It is important to note that a face-to-face class will always be more effective than an online class, especially when the teacher and student are playing simultaneously. Moreover, this type of course is much more suitable for adults. Webcam courses can therefore offer a satisfactory teaching quality for motivated and autonomous students.

The average budget for a piano depends on several factors such as the type of piano, its quality, its brand, its condition, its size, and the features it offers. Here is a general overview of the price ranges for different types of pianos: Digital piano: between 300 and 3000 CHF, upright acoustic piano: between 2000 and 8000 CHF and finally for a grand acoustic piano: between 10 000 and hundreds of thousands of francs if it is an exceptional model. In our opinion, it is strongly advised to acquire a piano second hand in particular, provided that the seller is reliable and trustworthy. It is not uncommon to come across advertisements for pianos to be given away, for example, because they clutter up their owners and they only wish to get rid of them.

When you will be able to play your first piece on the piano will depend on several factors such as your level of experience and whether you are a beginner or an advanced pianist. It is especially important not to rush and skip the basic steps of adopting a good technique, to go step by step through the method. If you are a beginner and have never played the piano before, it will probably take a few weeks or months before you are able to play your first piece. You will first need to learn the basics of music theory, the position of your hands on the keyboard, and how to read sheet music. But it's all relative! There are examples of extremely simple pop songs that can be learned in just a few days. If you already have some experience in music or if you are a musician in another field, you will manage to play your first song more quickly. All in all, it will always depend on your experience level and motivation.

Yes, it is quite possible to mix singing and piano in a piano class through specialized instruction. Many pianists, whether in pop or jazz, combine singing and piano when they play. Some students may find this more motivating than just playing one instrument. Our piano teacher, who has a classical education at the Lausanne Conservatory, has an excellent ear and a very good hand/voice independence. He will be able to guide you in the best possible way in these two areas. At Apolline, it is possible to mix the two and to personalize the course according to the student's preferences.

Sheet music found on the internet varies in quality, as does most internet content. Some scores can be accurate and reliable, while others may contain errors or inconsistencies. The problem is that piano sheet music available on the internet is not always produced or verified by professional musicians or music teachers. Many individuals may publish sheet music online, which fluctuates the quality of the online content. It is therefore recommended that you always check the source of the sheet music before using it to ensure that it comes from a reliable source. Finally, it is important to note that even if sheet music is reliable, there is more to teaching piano than just playing notes on a sheet of paper. A music teacher will have the pedagogy to help you become a true pianist by understanding the nuances and subtleties of the music, as well as the proper techniques to play the pieces expressively and vividly.

Yes, it is entirely possible to teach composition in a piano class, in pop, jazz or classical styles. In fact, many music classes include elements of musical composition in addition to perfecting piano technique. If you wish, our classes will also teach you the fundamentals of music composition such as basic song structure, chords, melodies and patterns, although some say there is no set method for composing great songs. Finally, piano lessons can also teach you how to write music using music composition software like Musescore or Sibelius, as well as show you how to create and develop your own musical ideas. It is important to note that improvisation is a form of composition, as you will be creating melodies from your imagination and experience.

There is no particular diploma given to students throughout their learning process. Indeed, Apolline favors learning that is based on pleasure through progression and not on performance. This is why we do not organize exams, and why there are no diplomas. Every year we organize a festival with the colors of the school: The Apolline Fest. You can read our article on this subject. Each student who wishes to do so has the opportunity to register and perform in front of an audience of friends and family. This is a good opportunity to showcase all the work done during the year. It is also common for our teachers to write letters of recommendation for students to help them achieve their goals. In addition, for experienced students, our teachers offer a professional curriculum to prepare motivated students for the art school entrance exams. All of our music teachers have a degree from an art school.

At Apolline, we organize workshops for the most motivated students who wish to discover group playing. This particular program is adapted for all ages, children, teenagers and adults, and can be a good way to overcome stress for example. In this framework, we push our students to perform in concerts, in different places such as bars/clubs in the city of Lausanne as well as during the annual Apolline Fest. This is the best way to reveal the passion for the stage that lies within you! This program is not suitable for beginners, but rather for students who have already mastered their instrument. A workshop room with good acoustics is provided to allow students to play in the best possible conditions. We will also teach them to acquire a good stage presence and the specific codes of the stage world. We take care to ensure that the pieces chosen appeal to everyone, in order to guarantee an enriching experience combining pleasure, high standards and progress. These workshops take place on a weekly basis.

Music theory and harmony are two different aspects of music theory. In particular, music theory focuses on the study of the basic elements of music, such as notes, intervals, rhythms, clefs, tempos, and the different levels of dynamics. It is essentially the learning of music notation, which allows one to read and write music. Music theory may also include the study of tonality, modulation, cadences and other structural elements. Harmony, on the other hand, focuses on the study of how chords are constructed and used in music. It involves the study of the relationships between notes and chords, as well as the analysis of chord progression in a composition. A good understanding of harmony at all levels is an essential element for improvisation in jazz for example. In classical music, it is used to create chord patterns that include dissonances and resolutions. Harmony can also include the study of voice and orchestration, which are ways of combining different instrumental parts. In summary, music theory is the basis of musical notation, while harmony is the study of how notes and chords are used to create coherent and expressive music. While both areas are interconnected and important to understanding music theory, they focus on particular aspects of music.

Unfortunately, piano lessons cannot be given at home for practical reasons. The location of the lessons remains fixed and allows students to receive quality instruction in a well-equipped room. In our experience, the distraction of the home environment can also be detrimental to the quality of instruction and concentration of students, especially for younger students, which can negatively impact their piano progress.