Abstract: The subject of the study is the development of Russian piano music education during the late XVIII – mid XIX centuries. The principles of training professional musicians in Europe and the specifics of Russia's path in this matter are determined. The authors of the article consider the initial stage of home education in an aristocratic environment, the goals and objectives of invited European musicians. The author analyzes the peculiarity of the appearance of the composer school in Russia from among amateur pianists, the role of European musicians in this phenomenon. The article examines the direction of music classes in general education institutions and their role in the education of the musical intelligentsia stratum. The author's contribution to the formulation and solution of the problem in a new perspective is a non-ideologized approach to considering the level of music lovers among aristocrats and "enlightened amateurs", comparing a set of skills that strikingly distinguish amateur pianists from professional pianists. It is revealed that the main purpose of home education in an aristocratic environment was to educate students in artistic taste and mastering piano playing skills sufficient to perform technically easy pieces and ensembles according to notes. It is established that the expansion of the circle of students at the expense of the noble stratum has not changed the goals and objectives of foreign teachers. The authors of the article determine that neither home schooling nor general education institutions educate professional pianists. It is revealed that pedagogical classes also pursue rather narrow goals of training home teachers for the training of amateur pianists. The necessity of the emergence in Russia of a special musical educational institution that trains professional pianists and the emergence of a national piano school is determined. The conclusion of the study is to identify the main criteria of a special musical educational institution that contribute to the education of a professional musician: temporarily limiting the study of the repertoire; showing quality work at open auditions in the presence of a commission; discipline and self-discipline as the basis of professional education.