Piano improvisation - 1er Cycle
Information
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Name
Piano improvisation
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Cycle
1st Cycle
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Course's number of years
3 years
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Maximum duration
3 years
Students in the first and second years of the1st cycle who feel that they can complete the1st cycle at the end of the current school year may sit the final exam for the1st cycle at the end of the first or second year instead of the final exam; if they fail the exam and/or do not pass all the disciplines attached to the diploma, they must continue their studies in the next year of the1st cycle and sit the final exam again.
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ECTS
180
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Delivered diploma
Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur d'Improvisation au clavier (1st cycle advanced diploma in keyboard improvisation)
The distinction (Très bien, Bien or Assez bien) qualifying the Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur is that awarded by the jury at the end of the final examination in the main discipline.
The Diplôme de1er cycle supérieur d'Improvisation au clavier is also awarded to students who did not obtain a distinction in the final examination in their main discipline, but whose results in the first and second year examinations so permit, in accordance with the procedures described in Title I - article 5 of the study regulations.
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Course objectives and content
Piano improvisation.
Group improvisation.
Improvisation in relation to silent cinema, theatre, dance, circus, electronics, etc...
Cross-disciplinary projects.
Participation in public sessions with invited guests.
The following disciplines are strongly recommended:
- choreographic accompaniment
- introduction to generative improvisation
- introduction to jazz
- introduction to modal improvisation/Indian music
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French language certificate
B1
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Bachelor's degree
A partnership between the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris and Sorbonne-Université enables Conservatoire students who so wish, and who are admitted to the 1st cycle, to obtain, together with the Conservatoire's 1st cycle diploma, and subject to fulfilling the conditions for enrolment at the university, the Bachelor degree of Music and Musicology from Sorbonne-Université, including the Diplôme National Supérieur Professionnel de Musicien (DNSPM) from the CNSMDP, and validation at the university of four 26-hour courses, spread over four semesters, chosen from the "Domaines musicologiques" teaching units.
Students are free to choose at which stage of their studies at the Conservatoire (1st or 2nd cycle) they wish to begin this university course.
Registration and payment of university fees are required to follow the courses. -
Number of complementary disciplines to validate
1
Disciplines
Entrance exam
Keyboard improvisation - Piano (undergraduate)
Opening date for registration : 10 October 2025
Closing date for registration : 14 November 2025
Important: Non-EU candidates must apply for a short-stay “competition” visa in order to take part in the entrance examinations. If successful, this visa will then allow you to apply for a student visa. You should not apply for a tourist visa. More information here
Admission
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Johann Sebastian Bach: one prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier (Book I or II), at the candidate’s choice
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Claude Debussy: one of the Preludes, at the candidate’s choice
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Harmonization at the piano of a required popular song
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Two short free improvisations on a single imposed element
No. 3 and 4 are preceded by a 20-minute preparation period without an instrument.
Students currently enrolled in piano, first- or second-cycle accompaniment, vocal accompaniment, or conducting classes at the CNSMD of Paris or Lyon are exempt from no. 1 and 2.
Candidates admitted to the first-cycle entrance audition who are not nationals of French-speaking countries must provide, before June 30 preceding their first enrollment at the Conservatoire, a certificate issued by an organization approved by the French government attesting to a French level of at least B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Maximum age : 26