Chronicles of Piano Teaching - May 9, 2024

Rushing

Playing too fast is one of the biggest issues new students have. I think this stems from the fast pace of life. From timed tests to deadlines to instant messaging and instant food, we do everything on turbo setting. Life can feel like a race. But music should never, ever be a race.

I used to be a chronic rusher. Dave says I still am sometimes, and he's probably right. But mastering a musical instrument requires slowness. A slow, patient, methodical approach to learning a new piece begets both accuracy and feeling. One of the most moving pieces of all time is also one of the slowest (Adagio for Strings by Barber). I cannot listen to this piece without bawling. On the contrary, so many fast performances sound like showing off to me; they are just notes devoid of soul.

Years ago I was recording an album of my compositions. I was playing too fast and just not getting the accuracy I needed. The recording engineer told me to play like I was drunk. The suggestion worked. It's hard to go back and listen to that album because I hear my immaturity as a musician and my need to show off. The pieces are just too fast. If I had just played 25% slower, it would have had 100% more feeling.

How do I get students to slow down? I can't really tell my young students to play like they're drunk, so I tell them that this song is like the lazy river ride at the water-park, not the waterslide. (They GET that).

Funny Kids

It's really cute when your student uses the phraseology of a bygone era. I was reminding a third-grade student to connect the left-hand notes throughout and she said, "Yeah, I think I got the memo." ; ) I realize this may give away my age, but I remember paper memos that were circulated via office mailboxes. (Yes, I had a few office jobs). But how does she know about those?

End with Encouragement

There's a time and a place for correction and discipline, but every lesson should end with encouragement. Compliment whatever you can, even when it's hard. Even if everything sounded terrible, thank them for their conscientious effort and focus during the lesson. Thank them for having the courage to show up and not cancel.

The Fun of Sonatinas (Sonatina in A Minor by Benda)

My student has been working on this classical piece, and it’s been stuck in my head on repeat. I figured I’d dive in and enjoy it for a spell. It was a lot of fun to take time out and practice it myself. Unfortunately, my grand piano hadn't arrived from Virginia yet, and I had to make due with the Korg keyboard. (Apologies for the finger tapping you hear in this recording!)

Sonatinas make up an important part of classical piano literature. They are meaty compositions that offer a lot to chew on; and they're fun! For the advancing intermediate student, they offer technical challenges like rapid scale runs and alberti bass patterns in the left hand. They call for a variety of touches (staccatto, legato) and they demand very specific and detailed dynamics. Sonatinas are a good avenue for teachers to introduce phrase shaping and discuss form more in depth. And they are an important bridge between beginning and advanced repertoire.

Classical is just one of the genres I teach. You can’t go wrong with classical. It’s dramatic, exciting, complex, and fun. To study classical is to live a life rich in beauty.

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