What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
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#990421 - 10/27/08 06:13 AM What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990422 - 10/27/08 08:53 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990423 - 10/27/08 10:20 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Improvisation/comping/playing from a fakebook/playing from a hymnal...
I.e. "professional" tools that might come in handy if asked to play in a band or accompany singers.
#990424 - 10/27/08 10:45 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Theory homework.
I know, sounds weird, but I'd really need some systematic instruction on that topic. For me, learning works best when I'm given tasks to work on and feedback if I was right or wrong and why etc.
My first teacher assigned a little theory task every week which was great.
#990425 - 10/27/08 02:40 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Posts: 172 pianoluvr
Ooh....this question really made me think about my lessons and what I want to get out of them.
*More Structured Repertoire Choices: Sometimes, I wonder WHY we play the pieces that we play. It doesn't seem to me that my teacher has a very clear idea of where she wants to take me in the future repertoire-wise or of what kinds of pieces she needs to give me so that I can progress.
*Theory: I NEED theory. Desperately. I just bought Alfred's Theory book.
*Ear Training: I'm awful at it. I need to practice my pitch as desperately as my theory.
Beethoven Sonata Op.49 No.2
Chopin Waltz Op.69 No.2
Schumann Op.15 No.1 (About Strange Lands and People)
Schumann Op.15 No.7 (Traumerei)
#990426 - 10/27/08 07:26 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990427 - 10/27/08 11:38 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Originally posted by Stanza:
Interesting that you mention that, I was going to say the same. I believe often as pianists, pianists are one of the lonely breeds of musicians. They often sit for many lonely hours playing away at repertoire. As a singer myself I have found this to be quite the contrary, sure I would spend hours practicing by myself (with a piano) then I would meet up with an accompanist and sometimes work with other musicians in bands.
There is no need, I believe to restrict oneself to solo piano repertoire as there is a lot out there. Ensemble work is enjoyable, not only does it help develop a musician but social aspects also come into play.
Have you mentioned this to your teacher? I am aware that Trinity Guildhall supplies students with the option of doing an accompanying exams.
Also many people mentioned theory, I can't agree more that theory IS important. I think one problem is that theory is presented in books as tedious and dull. I think to really 'immerse' oneself and enjoy theory is having a student put it into application. This can be done through: analysis and composition.
In saying this, do you tell your teachers that you want to look into such areas in music?
#990428 - 10/27/08 11:49 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Wow! I've heard of Russian teachers who throw your music across the room in anger when you mess up! You must have a very nice teacher.
#990429 - 10/27/08 11:57 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990430 - 10/28/08 12:04 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
It's all in good fun, no slight is intended to any teacher.
#990431 - 10/28/08 12:33 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990432 - 10/28/08 06:53 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I don't have the head tonight to elucidate.
Hope you have your "head" tomorrow - otherwise the points you might postulate would tend to obfuscate as you attempted to elucidate.
Regards (from an old retrobate), JF
#990433 - 10/28/08 01:14 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Euphonatrix: "Theory homework"
Check out Berklee Music Theory Book 1 and 2.
http://www.amazon.com/Berklee-Music...mp;s=books&qid=1225217565&sr=8-4
#990434 - 10/28/08 01:20 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I am teacherless at the moment.
But, my last teacher had me reading music and that was it. The was below my playing level (to get my reading caught up with my playing). It drove me mad. I wanted to learn to play better and this felt like torture. So, I think i would have liked and balanced well rounded lesson. Some time spent on reading some on technique and some ear training.
#990435 - 10/28/08 01:32 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I mentioned this in the following post.
How to practice is very important. And think at least one lesson a year should be devoted to just how each student needs to practice.
Another thought would be to communicate with you teacher what you want to get out of your lessons!
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/27/2444.html
#990436 - 10/28/08 02:01 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
What type of thing would you like to hear from your students in that vein, Lilylady?
What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
You are not logged in. [Log In] Piano World Home Page Forums Adult Beginners Forum What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
120 registered members (anamnesis, akc42, amad23, 9by88, Almaviva, 28 invisible), 1,346 guests, and 2 spiders.
#990421 - 10/27/08 06:13 AM What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990422 - 10/27/08 08:53 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990423 - 10/27/08 10:20 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Improvisation/comping/playing from a fakebook/playing from a hymnal...
I.e. "professional" tools that might come in handy if asked to play in a band or accompany singers.
#990424 - 10/27/08 10:45 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Theory homework.
I know, sounds weird, but I'd really need some systematic instruction on that topic. For me, learning works best when I'm given tasks to work on and feedback if I was right or wrong and why etc.
My first teacher assigned a little theory task every week which was great.
#990425 - 10/27/08 02:40 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Posts: 172 pianoluvr
Ooh....this question really made me think about my lessons and what I want to get out of them.
*More Structured Repertoire Choices: Sometimes, I wonder WHY we play the pieces that we play. It doesn't seem to me that my teacher has a very clear idea of where she wants to take me in the future repertoire-wise or of what kinds of pieces she needs to give me so that I can progress.
*Theory: I NEED theory. Desperately. I just bought Alfred's Theory book.
*Ear Training: I'm awful at it. I need to practice my pitch as desperately as my theory.
Beethoven Sonata Op.49 No.2
Chopin Waltz Op.69 No.2
Schumann Op.15 No.1 (About Strange Lands and People)
Schumann Op.15 No.7 (Traumerei)
#990426 - 10/27/08 07:26 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990427 - 10/27/08 11:38 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Originally posted by Stanza:
Interesting that you mention that, I was going to say the same. I believe often as pianists, pianists are one of the lonely breeds of musicians. They often sit for many lonely hours playing away at repertoire. As a singer myself I have found this to be quite the contrary, sure I would spend hours practicing by myself (with a piano) then I would meet up with an accompanist and sometimes work with other musicians in bands.
There is no need, I believe to restrict oneself to solo piano repertoire as there is a lot out there. Ensemble work is enjoyable, not only does it help develop a musi
cian but social aspects also come into play.
Have you mentioned this to your teacher? I am aware that Trinity Guildhall supplies students with the option of doing an accompanying exams.
Also many people mentioned theory, I can't agree more that theory IS important. I think one problem is that theory is presented in books as tedious and dull. I think to really 'immerse' oneself and enjoy theory is having a student put it into application. This can be done through: analysis and composition.
In saying this, do you tell your teachers that you want to look into such areas in music?
#990428 - 10/27/08 11:49 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Wow! I've heard of Russian teachers who throw your music across the room in anger when you mess up! You must have a very nice teacher.
#990429 - 10/27/08 11:57 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990430 - 10/28/08 12:04 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
It's all in good fun, no slight is intended to any teacher.
#990431 - 10/28/08 12:33 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
#990432 - 10/28/08 06:53 AM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I don't have the head tonight to elucidate.
Hope you have your "head" tomorrow - otherwise the points you might postulate would tend to obfuscate as you attempted to elucidate.
Regards (from an old retrobate), JF
#990433 - 10/28/08 01:14 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
Euphonatrix: "Theory homework"
Check out Berklee Music Theory Book 1 and 2.
http://www.amazon.com/Berklee-Music...mp;s=books&qid=1225217565&sr=8-4
#990434 - 10/28/08 01:20 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I am teacherless at the moment.
But, my last teacher had me reading music and that was it. The was below my playing level (to get my reading caught up with my playing). It drove me mad. I wanted to learn to play better and this felt like torture. So, I think i would have liked and balanced well rounded lesson. Some time spent on reading some on technique and some ear training.
#990435 - 10/28/08 01:32 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
I mentioned this in the following post.
How to practice is very important. And think at least one lesson a year should be devoted to just how each student needs to practice.
Another thought would be to communicate with you teacher what you want to get out of your lessons!
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/27/2444.html
#990436 - 10/28/08 02:01 PM Re: What would you change in your piano lessons ... what is missing?
What type of thing would you like to hear from your students in that vein, Lilylady?