Advanced Piano Lessons

Advanced Piano Lessons – Levels 6–9

Our Advanced Program is designed for serious students aiming for professional performance standards. Across four challenging levels, you’ll refine every aspect of your technique, artistry, and musical understanding.

Explore the Levels
From Skilled to Stage-Ready

Preparing for Professional Excellence

The Advanced Program bridges the gap between accomplished playing and professional artistry, guiding you through demanding repertoire, sophisticated theory, and high-level performance preparation.

Explore Advanced Levels

Level 7 – Early Advanced

  • Technique: Full command of all scales/arpeggios at performance tempo (MM=120 for 16ths). Cramer-Bülow, 60 Selected Etudes. Chopin, Etudes (e.g., Op. 10 No. 6, Op. 25 No. 1 "Aeolian Harp," Op. 25 No. 2). Advanced pedaling techniques (syncopated, flutter).
  • Theory: Neapolitan (N6) and Augmented Sixth (It+6,Ger+6,Fr+6) chords. Fugue analysis (subject, answer, episode). 20th-century harmony (modes, whole-tone, pentatonic scales).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Reading from a vocal score (4 staves). Reading jazz lead sheets with chord changes.
    • Aural Skills: Recognize N6 and Ger+6 chords by ear. Two-part melodic dictation.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Compose a short theme and variations. Improvise over standard jazz changes (e.g., Autumn Leaves).
  • Music History & Literature: Impressionism and Early 20th Century (Debussy, Ravel, Bartók).
  • Performance & Examination: Perform a 25-minute solo recital (half recital). Collaborate with a vocalist on two art songs. The Level 7 Examination requires a demanding program demonstrating stylistic breadth.

Sample Repertoire: Bach, Partitas; Beethoven, Sonatas (e.g., Op. 14 No. 1, Op. 79); Brahms, Intermezzi (Op. 117, 118); Debussy, Children's Corner or selected Preludes.

Level 8 – Advanced II

  • Technique: Chopin, Etudes, Op. 10 and 25 (demanding selections like No. 1, 5, 12). Moszkowski, 15 Virtuoso Etudes, Op. 72. Advanced voicing in polyphonic and chordal textures.
  • Theory: Chromatic harmony of Wagner and Franck. Introduction to pitch-class set theory. Analysis of large-scale forms (concerto).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Orchestral score reduction at the piano. Advanced accompaniments.
    • Aural Skills: Dictation of complex, chromatic melodies. Identify modulations to distant keys.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Compose and improvise a cadenza for a Mozart concerto movement. Advanced jazz reharmonization.
  • Music History & Literature: Late Romanticism (Rachmaninoff, Scriabin) and The Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern).
  • Performance & Examination: Perform a full 50-minute solo recital. Perform one movement of a concerto with a second piano. The recital program serves as the core of the Level 8 Examination.

Sample Repertoire: Bach, Toccatas or Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue; Beethoven, Sonatas ("Pathétique," "Waldstein"); Chopin, Ballades or Scherzos; Rachmaninoff, Preludes; a significant work by Prokofiev, Bartók, or Ginastera.

Level 9 – Advanced III

  • Technique: Liszt or Rachmaninoff Etudes. Extreme dynamic and tone control. Independent voices and hand crossings. Polyrhythmic layering (3:2, 4:3).
  • Theory: Orchestration and reduction techniques. Non-functional harmony. Serialism and atonality basics. Post-tonal and modern jazz analysis (e.g., Schenkerian analysis fundamentals).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Complex orchestral piano reductions. Complex jazz lead sheets with highly syncopated rhythms.
    • Aural Skills: Recognize upper chord extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and alterations. Melodic dictation with accidentals and modulations. Advanced harmonic progression identification.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Free jazz and atonal improvisation. Modal interchange with advanced chord scales. Complex thematic improvisation in odd meters.
  • Music History & Literature: In-depth research on specific composers, genres, or historical performance practices related to repertoire.
  • Performance & Examination: Prepare a pre-audition program for top-tier conservatories. Perform in chamber ensembles with advanced repertoire. The Level 9 examination confirms readiness for collegiate-level auditions.

Sample Repertoire: Liszt – La Campanella; Strayhorn – Lush Life (concert version); Beethoven, a late sonata (e.g., Op. 101); an original improvisation-based concert piece.

Level 7 – Early Advanced
Level 8 – Advanced II
Level 9 – Advanced III
  • Technique: Full command of all scales/arpeggios at performance tempo (MM=120 for 16ths). Cramer-Bülow, 60 Selected Etudes. Chopin, Etudes (e.g., Op. 10 No. 6, Op. 25 No. 1 "Aeolian Harp," Op. 25 No. 2). Advanced pedaling techniques (syncopated, flutter).
  • Theory: Neapolitan (N6) and Augmented Sixth (It+6,Ger+6,Fr+6) chords. Fugue analysis (subject, answer, episode). 20th-century harmony (modes, whole-tone, pentatonic scales).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Reading from a vocal score (4 staves). Reading jazz lead sheets with chord changes.
    • Aural Skills: Recognize N6 and Ger+6 chords by ear. Two-part melodic dictation.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Compose a short theme and variations. Improvise over standard jazz changes (e.g., Autumn Leaves).
  • Music History & Literature: Impressionism and Early 20th Century (Debussy, Ravel, Bartók).
  • Performance & Examination: Perform a 25-minute solo recital (half recital). Collaborate with a vocalist on two art songs. The Level 7 Examination requires a demanding program demonstrating stylistic breadth.

Sample Repertoire: Bach, Partitas; Beethoven, Sonatas (e.g., Op. 14 No. 1, Op. 79); Brahms, Intermezzi (Op. 117, 118); Debussy, Children's Corner or selected Preludes.

  • Technique: Chopin, Etudes, Op. 10 and 25 (demanding selections like No. 1, 5, 12). Moszkowski, 15 Virtuoso Etudes, Op. 72. Advanced voicing in polyphonic and chordal textures.
  • Theory: Chromatic harmony of Wagner and Franck. Introduction to pitch-class set theory. Analysis of large-scale forms (concerto).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Orchestral score reduction at the piano. Advanced accompaniments.
    • Aural Skills: Dictation of complex, chromatic melodies. Identify modulations to distant keys.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Compose and improvise a cadenza for a Mozart concerto movement. Advanced jazz reharmonization.
  • Music History & Literature: Late Romanticism (Rachmaninoff, Scriabin) and The Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern).
  • Performance & Examination: Perform a full 50-minute solo recital. Perform one movement of a concerto with a second piano. The recital program serves as the core of the Level 8 Examination.

Sample Repertoire: Bach, Toccatas or Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue; Beethoven, Sonatas ("Pathétique," "Waldstein"); Chopin, Ballades or Scherzos; Rachmaninoff, Preludes; a significant work by Prokofiev, Bartók, or Ginastera.

  • Technique: Liszt or Rachmaninoff Etudes. Extreme dynamic and tone control. Independent voices and hand crossings. Polyrhythmic layering (3:2, 4:3).
  • Theory: Orchestration and reduction techniques. Non-functional harmony. Serialism and atonality basics. Post-tonal and modern jazz analysis (e.g., Schenkerian analysis fundamentals).
  • Practical Musicianship:
    • Sight-Reading: Complex orchestral piano reductions. Complex jazz lead sheets with highly syncopated rhythms.
    • Aural Skills: Recognize upper chord extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and alterations. Melodic dictation with accidentals and modulations. Advanced harmonic progression identification.
  • Creative Application & Artistry: Free jazz and atonal improvisation. Modal interchange with advanced chord scales. Complex thematic improvisation in odd meters.
  • Music History & Literature: In-depth research on specific composers, genres, or historical performance practices related to repertoire.
  • Performance & Examination: Prepare a pre-audition program for top-tier conservatories. Perform in chamber ensembles with advanced repertoire. The Level 9 examination confirms readiness for collegiate-level auditions.

Sample Repertoire: Liszt – La Campanella; Strayhorn – Lush Life (concert version); Beethoven, a late sonata (e.g., Op. 101); an original improvisation-based concert piece.

Skills You’ll Perfect

Core Skills You’ll Achieve

In the Advanced Program, you’ll polish your technical mastery and artistic expression to meet the demands of professional performance and competitive auditions.

  • Virtuosic Technique – Execute demanding passages, complex rhythms, and advanced pedaling with precision.
  • In-Depth Theory – Analyze advanced harmonic progressions, fugues, and 20th-century techniques.
  • Stylistic Mastery – Interpret works from Baroque to contemporary with historical accuracy.
  • Performance Readiness – Prepare full-length recitals and competition programs.
  • Collaborative Artistry – Work with other musicians in chamber and accompaniment settings.
Achieve Your Peak Potential

Step Into Advanced Mastery

This program is your gateway to elite performance opportunities, college auditions, and professional music careers.

Join the Advanced Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Advanced Program FAQs

Answers to the most common questions about our Advanced Program and its requirements.

Who is the Advanced Program for?

It’s for students who have completed the Intermediate Program or reached equivalent skills through prior study.

What kind of repertoire will I learn?

You’ll study major works by composers like Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, and contemporary masters.

Will this prepare me for college auditions?

Yes, the program is specifically structured to prepare students for conservatory and university music auditions.

Is performance mandatory?

Yes, students are expected to perform regularly in recitals, competitions, and collaborative projects.

What’s next after the Advanced Program?

Students can progress to our Grandmaster Program (Level 10) for concert-level mastery and teaching certification.

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