Diploma of Specialization in Biomechanics Applied to Piano Technique 2025

Diploma of Specialization in Biomechanics Applied to Piano Technique

ESMAR/MUSIKEON OWN FORMATION

Own degree of 30 ECTS (Online/semi-presential)

The ECTS correspond to 134 teaching hours.

All sessions of the Specialization Diploma will be held online (via Zoom) and will be recorded on video for viewing. However, 2 participation modalities are offered:

  • a. Online
  • b. Blended learning (in-person participation in module 3)

30 places (maximum 18 students in person in module 3)

Home: 28 / 03 / 2025
End: 05/07/2025

Language of instruction: Spanish.

Academic direction: Pablo Gomez Abalos
[email protected]

Co-direction and technical coordination: Cesar Octavio Hernandez
[email protected]

1. DESCRIPTION

Piano biomechanics: anatomy and movement – ​​history of piano technique – theory and analysis of piano technique – piano interpretation and teaching.

The official training that any pianist receives does not usually include any specific and rigorous in-depth study of the relationship between body and music, either from the point of view of instrumental interpretation or from that of musicology. Certainly, everything related to the physical fact itself in musical creation is undervalued, both in the interpretative and in the compositional aspects.

- Musikeon, headed by Luca Chiantore y Pablo Gomez Abalos, has been developing for years a pedagogical work attentive to the use of the body, linking the development of physical skills to individual sound imagination, without which no gesture will have any meaning. Our project Music and Biomechanics emerged in 2010 as a result of that vision of piano interpretation.

Thanks to the partnership with ESMAR since 2021, We are launching a master's degree whose methodology is based on the detailed study of piano technique, musicological sources and biomechanical analysis of the pianist's resources, as well as the most innovative methodological trends and proposals. The interest in these subjects has led to a great success in participation in the 4 editions carried out, with more than fifty students from Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Cuba taking part in our master's degree to date. For those who are interested in this training and in facilitating their participation at a more affordable cost, the master's degree has become a Diploma of Specialization and will continue in this new format with the central objectives that have characterized it in the four previous editions. The contents offered in this new format Diploma of Specialization (as long as it continues to be offered as its own title) are those that generated the most interest in the previous format.

For this reason, this new phase of the ESMAR/Musikeon/ESCALA own degree on biomechanics and piano technique will begin in March. 2025 with its Edition 5

The Hispanic context

In the history of musical training in Spain and Latin America, never before has a master's degree been offered that allows for a deeper understanding of the anatomical, physiological, physical and didactic knowledge necessary to seriously and rigorously address this reality, whether to improve the individual technique and musical understanding of each pianist, or in terms of the teaching work that each of them can develop.

However, the interest in the subject is evident: the success in Spain and Latin America of the History of piano technique by Luca Chiantore (Alianza Música, 2001) is proof of this, as is the recent dissemination and acceptance of concepts developed in our research and teaching, linked to this “corporal musicology”, such as corpography and Ur-Technik.

El Master's Degree in Piano Technique and Biomechanics before and now Diploma of Specialization in Biomechanics Applied to Technique and Pianism They represent a pioneering initiative with an international perspective, the product of extensive experience in this field. Their programme arises as a response to needs repeatedly confirmed by Musikeon in its two decades of experience both in Spain and in Latin America, where it is currently a leading institution in high-level piano training.

The success of the in-person courses that Musikeon has taught to students from all over Latin America and the recent push for online music education have led us to design a program that can be taken both in person and through online monitoring, making use of the experience we have accumulated over the years and allowing us, at the same time, to adapt to any personal circumstance or health emergency that may prevent in-person monitoring.

The diploma

  1. Describe the movements of the pianist using technical terminology that breaks down the gesture into its biomechanical components. The program of this degree examines the fundamentals of human physiology applied to the kinesthetic study of instrumental performance.
  2. To analyze in a clear and well-founded way the application of piano technique to the repertoire through the methodological tools necessary for the observation of muscular activity, types of levers and the force of gravity in musical performance.
  3. To offer tools to avoid injuries, ailments and other problems related to piano playing through the understanding and practice of stretching techniques and other specific methodologies for their prevention.
  4. Understand how the corporal fact and musical creation are interrelated in the development of the piano repertoire throughout history through the concepts of corpography and Ur-technik.
  5. Provide methodologies for observing the specificities of the writing of each passage, the sound possibilities of the piano and the relationship between the gesture and the resulting sound, in order to propose possible technical alternatives adapted to each pianist or to their students, depending on the needs of each repertoire.
  6. To propose rigorous and coherent strategies for neuromuscular control of the hand and the selective training of physical resources in favour of a broad piano technique.
  7. To develop specific teaching resources to guide students and teachers in relation to the technical needs of each stage of piano training, and especially in relation to the development of skills in early childhood.
  8. To present innovative teaching proposals for the piano that are currently being developed in the Spanish-speaking world, both in general teaching projects and in specific methodologies for approaching the technique.

El Diploma of Specialization in Biomechanics Applied to Piano Technique (134h/30 ECTS) The course is divided into three thematic modules, two online and one with the possibility of in-person attendance. The contents of the online modules will be distributed in 7 sessions of 12 hours (except the 7th which will be 6 hours) between March 28 and June 13, approximately every two weeks. Module 3 (with the possibility of in-person attendance) will be intensive (56 hours) from June 25 to July 5 and will be eminently practical in nature.

The three modules can be taken entirely online, although it is recommended that the intensive module be taken in person as it will reinforce the aspects covered in the different areas of knowledge of the thematic modules, affecting the piano repertoire of each participant (or their students). This module will also include workshops, seminars and/or group debates.

Module 1 (11 ECTS):

Human Body and Piano Biomechanics

It will be distributed among the IV meetings. The contents are grouped into four seminars: Anatomy and movement; Locomotor system; Pathologies of the pianist and body health strategies y Body and Music, and they will be the following:

  • Topographic anatomy and functional anatomy of the human body.
  • Fundamentals of human physiology applied to the kinesthetic study of piano performance.
  • The brain-body relationship and corporeality as a decisive element in the production of musical meanings.
  • Motor coordination and physiological movement patterns.
  • Main pathologies of pianists and theoretical-practical sessions on:
    • Fundamentals and types of stretching.
    • Self-stretching and self-massage: individual maintenance of muscle and tendon function.

Module 2 (9 ECTS):

Piano Gesture: Practice, Research and Analysis

It will be distributed between meetings III-VII. The contents are grouped into two seminars: The pianistic gesture and the types of attack y Piano pedagogy and study techniques, and they will be the following:

  • Fundamentals of the history of piano technique and the concept of Ur-Technik.
  • Pedagogical traditions, schools and interpretative currents
  • The technique of some reference figures in the history of interpretation.
  • Main models for cataloging attack types.
  • Key attack and study processes.
  • Criteria for organization in the study of piano.
  • Proposals for solving specific technical problems for pianists of different learning levels.

Module 3 (10 ECTS):

Piano Interpretation, Biomechanics and Teaching

The contents that will be worked on in the training activities corresponding to this intensive practical profile module are:

  • Analysis of the repertoire based on its technical difficulties
  • Improvement of individual technique based on the chosen repertoire
  • Practical applications of the concept of Ur-Technik and corporeal idiomatism.
  • Technical implications of the contrast between the concepts of “compositional style” and “interpretive style”
  • Historical instruments
  • Elaboration of a coherent and argued interpretive proposal
  • Systematization of the creative movements of the piano gesture to facilitate its methodological use in the teaching-learning process
  • Learning processes based on the use of proprioceptive information as a pedagogical tool for strengthening movement-sound gestural patterns
  • Memory and its role in processes as a study method

To get the Diploma of SpecializationenBiomechanics Applied to Piano Technique Students must attend at least 80% of classes and participate in the proposed debates and activities, as well as present the training activities or tests that the teachers consider appropriate.

Dr. Pablo Gomez Abalos (Spain). performer and researcher, specialist in 18th century fortepianos. Master in Early Music Performance (Fortepiano) from the Autonomous University of Barcelona/ESMUC under the direction of Arthur Schoonderwoerd and PhD from the University of La Rioja. Professor of piano and historical piano and coordinator of the official Master in advanced musical performance and research applied to musical practice at ESMAR. Coordinator and co-author of the book The Zumpe and Buntebart table piano from the Museu de la Música in Barcelona (Documenta Universitaria, 2019) and responsible for the recovery project of the Royal harpsichord which allowed him to create the first modern copy of this instrument for which he was awarded a Leonardo scholarship in 2017 (BBVA Foundation). He has recorded the CD Sublime Royal Harpsichord and is currently finalizing the publication of the book Wagner's Royal harpsichord: An instrument for the Musical Sublime, as well as offering recitals and lectures.

https://esmarmusic.com/profesores/pablo-gomez-abalos/
https://www.redleonardo.es/beneficiario/pablo-gomez-abalos/

Dr. Luca Chiantore (Italy/Spain)Musician and musicologist. PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Lecturer in the Department of Musicology at the ESMUC, at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid and at the University of Aveiro (Portugal) and founder of Musikeon. Author of History of piano technique (Music Alliance, 2001), Beethoven at the piano (Nortesur, 2010; 2nd edition: Musikeon Books, 2020), Tone Moves (revised and expanded English edition of his History of piano technique, Musikeon Books 2019; ed. Kindle, 2020) and Damn words (Musikeon Books 2021). Founder of Tropos Ensemble with David Ortolá. He has recorded several CDs and carries out an intense pedagogical, research and concert activity at an international level, frequently touring with his project “InVersions”.

https://www.chiantore.com
https://www.musikeon.net/

Prof. Cesar Octavio Hernandez (Mexico/Spain). Pianist and teacher. Graduated in Concert Music from the University of Guadalajara (Mexico). Master's degree in Musical Research from the International University of Valencia (VIU). Director of Musikeon from 2015 to 2020 and creator of the ADRIT study method, since 2021 he has directed ESCALA, Virtual Piano Training and regularly offers workshops and conferences on piano study methodologies in Spain and Latin America, both in person and virtually.

https://escala-formacion-pianistica-virtual.negocio.site/

Dr. Angelica Ariza Garcia (Spain). Physiotherapist and pianist. Graduate in History and Music Sciences and Doctor in Clinical Medicine and Public Health from the University of Granada. Associate professor in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Granada and physiotherapist at the Neurotraumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital of Granada. She has also been a professor of postural education at the Victoria Eugenia Conservatory of Music in Granada and is currently a professor in this specialty at the Conservatory of Music in Malaga.

https://www.ugr.es/personal/carmen-angelica-ariza-garcia

History of collaborating teachers (previous editions)

2021 – Dr. Catarina Domenici (Brazil)
2021 – Dr. María Clara Vargas Cullell (Costa Rica)
2021 – Dr. Judith Alba (Mexico)
2021 – Prof. Raul Herrera Marquez (Mexico)
2021 – Prof. Ruben Talon (Spain)

2022 – Dr. Victoria von Arx (USA)
2022 – Dr. Sofia Lourenço (Portugal)
2022 – Dr. Susan Campos Fonseca (Costa Rica)
2022 – Prof. Leonardo Gell (Cuba/Costa Rica)
2022 – Dr. Carla Reis (Brazil)
2022 – Dr. Ana Orduz (Colombia)
2022 – Prof. Sebastian Colombo (Argentina)
2022 – Dr. Teresa Cascudo García-Villaraco (Spain)
2022 – Prof. Ulises Hernandez (Cuba)
2022 – Dr. Edith Ruiz Zepeda (Mexico)
2022 – Prof. Natalia González Figueroa (Argentina)

2023 – Dr. Marcela Linari (Argentina/Spain)
2023 – Prof. Francesca Khalifa (Italy/Egypt/USA)
2023 – Dr. Mine Dogantan-Dack (Türkiye/UK)
2023 – Prof. Edna Golandsky (USA)
2023 – Dr. Edith Ruiz Zepeda (Mexico)
2023 – Prof. Cristina Molina (Spain)
2023 – Dr. Teresa Cascudo García-Villaraco (Spain)
2023 – Prof. Daniel Goldstein (Argentina/Italy)
2023 – Prof. Viviana Salisi (Spain)

2024 – Dr. Edith Ruiz Zepeda (Mexico)
2024 – Prof. Cristina Molina (Spain)
2024 – Prof. Marcelo Balat (Argentina)
2024 – Prof. Blanca Uribe (Colombia)
2024 – Dr. Teresa Cascudo García-Villaraco (Spain)
2024 – Dr. Ronal Silveira (Brazil)
2024 – Dr. Manuel Matarrita (Costa Rica)
2024 – Prof. Marta Espinós (Spain)
2024 – Prof. Mariana Alandia (Bolivia)
2024 – Prof. Yerko Ivanovic (Spain)
2024 – Dr. Yago Mahúgo (Spain)
2024 – Prof. Alicia Torra de Larrocha (Spain)

The teaching period for the specialization diploma runs from March to July 2025. The contents of the two thematic modules will be distributed every 15 days (except the first two) over 7 meetings of 12 hours (except the last one) and one intensive meeting of 56 hours in June/July, corresponding to module 3.

The schedule of the meetings will be as follows:

  • Friday from 14:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m. (Spanish time)
  • Saturday from 14:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m. (Spanish time)

This schedule is designed to facilitate the participation of international attendees and professors/speakers (mainly those participating from Latin America and the USA) in the master's degree.

This 30 ECTS credit is aimed at those interested in delving deeper into the technique, interpretation, repertoire and teaching of the piano with innovative criteria from biomechanics and the different facets of corporality in musical creation. It is also aimed at those interested in the various aspects of the pianist's health.

To be admitted to the degree, the following requirements must be met:

  • Higher qualification or degree that is considered appropriate for access.
  • Exceptionally, students who are in the final year of their degree or who have significant professional experience that guarantees the achievement of the access profile competencies in the field of activities specific to the degree may be admitted.

Registration process:

  • Fill out the pre-registration form.
  • Attach the required documents.
  • Attach a motivation letter or arrange a personal interview with the technical director and coordinator César Hernández: [email protected]

Modalities and prices of the complete Specialization Diploma:

  1. Price of the online degree: €1.300
  2. Price of the own degree in the semi-presential modality (active face-to-face attendance in module 3): €1.600

Prices for individual modules or seminars:

Individual modules or seminars must be paid for at least 3 days before they begin.

Price for module 1 alone: ​​€550 (online).*

Price for module 2 alone: ​​€500 (online).*

Price for module 3 (intensive) alone: ​​€800 (in-person); €550 (online).*

Price of individual seminars: €260, except for 6-hour seminars which cost €125.

*Participation in any individual module may be validated in subsequent editions to obtain a diploma.

Terms and payment methods:

Payment of € 600 in concept of registration reservation from December 21, 2024 to February 21, 2025. The remaining tuition fee will be paid in a single installment until March 21 by direct debit, PayPal payment, or credit card.

Data for bank transfer:

Beneficiary: Global Education Initiatives SL
Tax ID No.: B98743685
Bank account: ES28 2038 6186 75 6000325991
Swift code: CAHMESMMXXX
Address of the entity: Caixabank – Cl. Palacio, nº 1 – 46183 L'Eliana (Valencia) Spain

FAQs

Those who have a bachelor's degree or higher qualification in the specialty of piano or harpsichord may also have access exceptionally to those who are in the last year of training in the aforementioned specialties, provided that the period of said training concludes before the end of the degree. Individual modules can also be taken with the corresponding certificate of hours.

Detailed information is on the website (Price and payment method tab).

Yes, although it is a degree that is designed to be taken completely online, there is the possibility of participating in person in module 3 (intensive).

There is an agreement with Caixabank to obtain financing. You can check it here.

There are no grants or scholarships for this course, as the qualification itself has been downgraded.

The specific program, with the description and timing of the contents, is on the website (in the Contents and Organization and Class Calendar tabs).

Yes, the audiovisual materials generated during the classes will be available until September 30, 2025.

Yes, appropriate bibliography will be provided and links or documents will be provided for the materials that are necessary for the development of the classes.

Attendance at least 80% of classes. In addition, teachers may propose activities, encourage participation in debates during video conferences, or design specific training tests. Non-participation in these activities or systematic absenteeism without justification may lead to failure to obtain a diploma.