Young violin players who do not have yet a suitable preparation for direct admission to the Academic courses can start the study path from the pre-academic / Foundation course, with a duration ranging from 1 to 3 years, strictly dependent on the level of access and individual study rhythms.
For 40 years the pre-academic course has represented Saint Louis’ strength to acquire high-level preparation for admission to limited number academic courses.

The course prepares the student on a thorough knowledge of scales and arpeggios in three tones in all tonalities, double strings, rudiments on the technique of arching preparatory to jazz phrasing, Kreutzer and Rode, study of sonatas of the 17th – 18th century, study of some pieces for solo violin (Bach matches and transcription of the suites for cello), study of some themes taken from the jazz repertoire, first improvisation approach on static chord situations and on the blues.
The study of contemporary harmony goes from the basics to the 5-voice chords, with tensions and alterations, altered scales, modal exchanges and harmonization techniques of melodies.
The Ear training course will bring each student to know how to recognize melodies, chord progressions, rhythmic patterns, up to develop the ability to transcribe a mini-song, without the aid of tools.
Each student personalizes his/her own style and repertoire by choosing the teacher for individual instrument lessons.