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Masterclass

Learn the Piccolo

For Real

Master the technique from the most authoritative international performers.
From your home. At your own pace.
Master the technique from the
most authoritative international performers.
From your home. At your own pace.

Build your own
piccolo career

Refine the level you have reached
and become a highly sought orchestra performer

The most authoritative
piccoloists’ didactive heritage

The most applied Methods worldwide,
for the first time on the same Academy

No more limits
to your study

No more long journeys
and missed opportunities

The most authoritative
piccoloists’ didactive heritage

The most applied Methods worldwide,
for the first time on the same Academy

Build your own
piccolo career

Become a highly sought
orchestra performer

No more limits
to your study

No more long journeys
and missed opportunities

What are the three
issues
that every flutist is aware of?
What are the three issues
that every flutist is aware of?

1.

The flute embouchure can be deeply, negatively affected by incompetent piccolo playing, therefore results achieved in flute playing are compromised as well

2.

Going out of tune is rather common with the piccolo, but this instrument is also one of the most audible in the orchestra

3.

During an audition for second flute, a disappointing piccolo audition can undermine an otherwise successful flute audition

1.

Embouchure

The flute embouchure can be deeply, negatively affected by incompetent piccolo playing, therefore results achieved in flute playing are compromised as well

2.

Intonation

Going out of tune is rather common with the piccolo, but this instrument is also one of the most audible in the orchestra

3.

Flute Auditions

During an audition for second flute, a disappointing piccolo audition can undermine an otherwise successful flute audition

These are the three solutions
that every flutist would like to know:

The three solutions every flutist would like to know:

The more popular solution,
albeit the less effective one

Hiring a flute teacher

Hiring a flute teacher is undoubtedly an accessible solution, as well as what the vast majority goes for: your flute teacher will identify your fundamentals and your technique flaws, therefore guiding you towards an approach to the piccolo while presenving your flute technique.
However, the flute teacher does not have the specialized skills of a teacher specialized in piccolo.

The more expensive,
yet vastly more effective solution

Hiring a flute teacher specialized in piccolo playing

Hiring a flute teacher
specialized in piccolo playing

A good teacher, specialized in piccolo playing, is able to spot any flaw concerning technique, setting, posture, handling and fingering, embouchure, and so on, while identifying the method which suits you best to overcome your problems. Unfortunately, such solution comes at great cost: a very authoritative teacher may charge over 100 dollars per class, not mention all travelling and lodging expenses in order to reach them.

The most effective solution

Attend your regular classes by your teacher while
accessing lessons held by several teachers specialized in piccolo

Attend your regular classes by your teacher while accessing lessons held by
several teachers specialized in piccolo

No one can possibly be trained by all the best teachers, since they are located all around the world. Best case scenario, you may hire one or two, which means those that are geographically closer to your area. It is also possible that none of them get along with you on a didactive or artistic level; they may not share your playing technique, for some of your ideas may clash. Additionally, none of them may be appreciated by the orchestra you aim at joining, due to their method or sound.

The face-to-face class with your flute teacher, or even better, with your teacher specialized in piccolo, shall always be a necessary and wise choice, as personal flaws and pecularities can only be detected in person. However, such classes are simply not enough. Accessing a single teacher at a time will never provide you with the same amount of information and methods gained through studying with a group of international teachers from all over the world. And in the multitude of classes we have at your disposal, you will surely find solutions to your problems, tailored on your experience and your sensitivity.

What and Who
you will find on the Academy

What and Who
you will find on the Academy

Piccolo video courses

You will find plenty of video lessons about:

– Switch from flute to piccolo – Orchestral excerpts
– Embouchure – Posture and handling
– Intonation – Staccato and legato
– Piccolo fundamentals – Scales and arpeggios
– High register – Flexibility
– Piccolo choice – Body awareness
– Sound – Warm-up

 

New lessons every month
English subtitles in all lessons

Piccolo video courses

You will find plenty of video lessons about:

– Switch from flute to piccolo – Orchestral excerpts
– Embouchure – Posture and handling
– Intonation – Staccato and legato
– Piccolo fundamentals – Scales and arpeggios
– High register – Flexibility
– Piccolo choice – Body awareness
– Sound – Warm-up
New lessons every month
English subtitles in all lessons

The most authoritative Artists

The International Piccolo Flute Academy is the only chance in the world to
have access to the largest number of international teachers specialized in piccolo.

The International Piccolo Flute Academy is the only chance in the world to have access to the largest number of international teachers specialized in piccolo.

Backing tracks of piccolo repertoire

Have fun playing the piccolo flute with the backing tracks for piano and orchestra, designed specifically for those who play the piccolo, using virtual instrument technology: in these arrangements every sound has been treated with care by professional arrangers and pianists.
You can slow it down, speed it up, or adjust the bpm to what best suits your practice.
This new tool is meant to have fun exploring your piccolo repertoire preparing for an audition or a concert.

Realistic piano and orchestra sounds
Adjustable BPM

Backing tracks of piccolo repertoire

Have fun playing the piccolo flute with the backing tracks for piano and orchestra, designed specifically for those who play the piccolo, using virtual instrument technology: in these arrangements every sound has been treated with care by professional arrangers and pianists.
You can slow it down, speed it up, or adjust the bpm to what best suits your practice.
This new tool is meant to have fun exploring your piccolo repertoire preparing for an audition or a concert.

Realistic piano and orchestra sounds
Adjustable BPM

Nicola Mazzanti answers your questions

You can address technical questions directly to Nicola Mazzanti, international performer and teacher, and author of The Mazzanti Method, and can also access all the answers to the questions asked by the other members

Nicola Mazzanti answers your questions

You can address technical questions directly to Nicola Mazzanti, international performer and teacher, and author of The Mazzanti Method, and can also access all the answers to the questions asked by the other members

What our Students
say about the Academy

What our Students
say about the Academy

Zuzana

Piccoloist of the
State Theatre orchestra
in Košice, Slovakia

“Hello, my name is Zuzana, and I have been a subscriber to IPFA since its beginning. The incredible lessons we are given are full with information, useful tips and tricks to play at our best level. I am eternally grateful for the inspiration all of the artists give us, and I highly recommend this platform to anyone who wants to attain deeper knowledge and proficiency on their instrument.”

Ksenia

A piccolo player
of the Saint-Petersburg
Philharmonic Symphony
Orchestra

“Hello, my name is Ksenia Kuelyar, and I want to thank Nicola Mazzanti for the wonderful Piccolo Academy he inspired the creation of, this is a great opportunity for me and my students to improve our playing and skills, to learn a lot of new things.
Thanks to the academy’s professors for your experience and knowledge!”

Lucas

Master’s Degree Student
in Music Performance
Zurich University of Arts

“I have been subscribed to the IPFA for the past 3 months and it has been extremely enriching! Learning from the most prominent piccolo teachers from today is a great deal for students like me who also pursue a piccolo job position.
The content of the Academy is 100% rewarding!”

Ugné

Piccoloist at the
State Musical Theatre orchestra
in Klaipėda, Lithuania

“Having completed my academic studies and begun my professional career, I find IPFA to be an unparalleled tool for learning and delving into piccolo speciality.
The online courses combine a wide variety of topics: from playing technique to human and instrument anatomy. Prominent piccolo artists give inspiration with their individual approaches to improving one’s performance. IPFA gives me the feeling of a creative community that helps each member grow, flourish, and contribute in their own way to the today and tomorrow of piccolo music.”

Elena

Winner of
Gazzelloni Competition Cat. Piccolo

“Hello, I’m Elena and I have been subscribed to the IPFA right from the beginning.
The Academy is an amazing project conceived by Nicola Mazzanti and supported by amazing teachers and musicians; in a world where technology permeates and sustains learning, the Academy gives young students and also professionals the chance to deepen the instrument’s pratice following the precious advices of the world-wide most renowned piccolists, reducing the often remarkable distance’s barriers.
I personally thank Nicola and all the professors involved in the Academy and I highly recommend the subscription to whoever wants to increase skills and awareness about the piccolo.”

Access
ALL lessons now

14,99 € / month

Cancel at any time

149,90 € / year

Save over 16%

Access ALL lessons now

14,99 € / month

Cancel at any time

149,90 € / year

Save over 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IPFA?
The International Piccolo Flute Academy is a streaming platform that allows you to access video lessons created by internationally renowned piccoloists, as well as further added services such as piccolo backing tracks and the possibility to ask specialist questions to Nicola Mazzanti.
What is the IPFA mission?
We want everyone to have the opportunity to learn the piccolo with the best teachers in the world. The International Piccolo Flute Academy is a team project, where piccolo professionals have decided to join forces is to give the best materials to every flutist who wants to engage in this wonderful world.
What is included in the subscription?
VIDEO COURSES
The subscription allows access to the entire catalog of video lessons and any other educational material available to users, divided into these topics: fundamentals, embouchure, sound, intonation, high register, flexibility, scales and arpeggios, warm-up, posture and handling, body awareness, orchestral excerpts, legato, staccato and piccolo choice.

BACKING TRACKS
You will find also backing tracks for piano or orchestra designed specifically for those who play the piccolo, using virtual instrument technology. You can slow it down, speed it up, or choose the bpm that best suits your practice.

NICOLA ANSWERS
Every month Nicola Mazzanti selects some of the questions that users have written in the appropriate form, answering them in the episodes on the “Nicola answers” section, available to all subscribers.
Where and when can I see it?
You can take advantage of all materials at any time and anywhere, by logging into the website with your credentials after signing up for the subscription plan.
How much does IPFA cost?
The subscription costs 14.99 euros and has a duration of 1 month, renewable from month to month. You can also choose to purchase the annual plan, which has a duration of 12 months and costs a total of 149.90 euros, thus saving 2 months of subscription.
Will I be charged for taxes?
All prices shown are inclusive of taxes. You will not have surcharges.
How does the "satisfied or refunded" work?
Our purpose is to help you in your training, so if you are not satisfied with our materials or our service you can request the cancellation of your account and get a full refund of your payment within the first 30 days of your first subscription activation.
How can I unsubscribe?
You can cancel your subscription by accessing your account settings or by sending an email here. You will still be granted access to all subscription materials and services until the date of the next renewal.