Keyboard instruments

Piano plays a key role in our range of courses. You can study this instrument, which is one of the most popular instruments in the world, and other keyboard instruments at several levels. Some students aim for professionalism, while others consider it an important hobby. We also teach how to play the pipe organ, harpsichord and accordion.

Piano – an instrument like a small orchestra

The versatile piano is suitable as an instrument to accompany a singer and play chamber music. The instrument is suitable for all kinds of music, and from all ages. Great composers from Bach to Sibelius have composed plenty of songs on a piano that are suitable even for beginners.

Turku Conservatory has trained many famous pianists, such as Eero Heinonen, Matti Raekallio, Juhani Lagerspez and Henri Sigfridsson. They have also taught master’s courses in their former educational institution.

Our energetic piano collegium considers it an honour to uphold the classical tradition of piano. In the main hall of Turku Conservatory, Sigyn Hall, we have two regularly maintained, first-class Steinway grand pianos.

To study the piano, you must practise with an acoustic piano. The teacher is happy to advise how to purchase the instrument. Children aged 5–7 years are at a suitable age for starting to play the piano. Piano is studied at all departments of Turku Conservatory.

Pipe organ – a traditional instrument with over 2,200 years of history

Kingdoms and cultures have changed, but the pipe organ has been playing around the world for over 2,200 years. Although the instrument often evokes an image of church music, you can hear the pipe organ in several significant concert halls.

The sound of the pipe organ is wide and rich. It can be used to express the entire emotional scale of a person. That is probably why so many people fall in love with this classical keyboard instrument.

Pipe organ is suitable for anyone, as long as you are already familiar with the basic piano techniques. Turku Conservatory teaches enthusiasts of all ages, from children to senior citizens. We teach to play the pipe organ as both a main and secondary instrument. The targeted learning outcome is always set according to the student’s wishes.

The Conservatory’s expansive Crichton Hall has a rare Baroque-style pipe organ that is both beautiful to watch and a pleasure to listen. Linnankatu class A111 uses a versatile digital pipe organ called Mixtuur to use for practice.

Harpsichord – the predecessor of piano

Before the piano, harpsichord was as popular as the current piano. Harpsichord is used to play Renaissance and Baroque music from a period of about 300 years. You can use the instrument to play both serious and lighter music, and it is still used to create new compositions from time to time.

Those who play the harpsichord have excellent opportunities for playing together with others. For example, harpsichord is a natural choice to play with string and wind instruments in baroque music.

At Turku Conservatory, you can study the harpsichord at all levels of teaching. Its light touch makes it ideal for newcomers and delicate musicians.

At the Turku Conservatory, you do not need to get your own harpsichord to study it, as they are always custom work and hand crafted. You can use an electric harpsichord to practise at home, as long as you practise with the real instrument in our facilities at least some of the time.

Accordion

Accordion, which is considered a keyboard instrument, has also been valued in art music for a long time, as it can be used to interpret both classical compositions and popular music.

Today, the most common accordion model is the 5-row button accordion that has a separate treble and bass keyboard. Other well-known accordion models include the 1–2 row accordion and the accordion with piano keys.

Historically, the accordion was traditional especially in Europe and Russia, but today, it is a globally played and well-known instrument.