The lab at Mandeville Primary School in Lower Clapton is one of the first of its kind in the country and blends traditional teaching with 21st-century digital technology.
It has 20 state-of-the-art digital pianos donated by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.
Each child uses a digital piano with headphones and their own screen to monitor their progress, with practice tracks, video tutorials and even cartoon characters.
The first lesson was a demonstration with a performance by the foundation’s ‘young ambassadors’ Louis and Sofia Pan and Zara Antonia on June 17.
“It’s an extraordinary complete ‘game changer’ for us,” Mandeville’s music director James Moriarty said.
“These are high-quality digital pianos, not just keyboards but a complete piano lab system — and we are one of the first schools in the country to get one.”
He added: “This revolutionises how I teach piano in class by sharing what I’m doing and monitoring each pupil’s progress.”
Mandeville’s Piano Lab is running a three-year programme, expanding year on year, from the beginning of the summer term when Year 4 started their lessons up to the time they leave at the end of Year 6 in 2028.
Headteacher Marc Thompson said: “Many children cannot afford private music lessons.
“This software and the set-up ensures every child is getting an individual lesson while the whole class is being taught at the same time.
“The impact of the Piano Lab is already immeasurable.”
There is something for every child, getting them ready to leave primary education with fundamental skills in reading music and playing an instrument.
Lang Lang, the internationally-acclaimed Chinese pianist who set up the foundation, said: “Music has the power to change lives. Bringing the best in music education together with technology opens doors to a lifelong love for music. The Piano Lab has come to life at Mandeville School.”
The pilot scheme opens up opportunity to learn an instrument and read music even if the children’s families don’t have the means to buy their own piano. The idea could soon take root in all schools using their digital technology for music education.
