Piano Pedagogy
Hi Greg,
I'm presently working on my ARCT...I'm 46....have a B.MUS. and B.ED (from University of Victoria).... I teach general music and band in the school system full time. I'm also a pro french horn player with Symphony New Brunswick, have 15 private piano students and am a mother to 3 amazing children ages 16, 11 and 8. Could you give me some tips on things I really need to study and know thorougly? I've read quit a few books on piano pedagogy....any specific recommendations on reading material? thanks for any insight you can give me. For my ARCT....I'm doing the teacher's part in June and the playing part in August. I travel 90 min 2X a month for piano lessons
- Cynthia Munn
Dear Cynthia,
Gosh. Cynthia, I have no idea what you should or shouldn't know, and I've never read any books on piano pedagogy.
My only bit of advice: don't lose sight of music's purpose.
Why do you play piano? Why do you think your students should play piano?
Here's my personal answer:
Music brings me great joy. It connects me to the world. For me, music serves as a portal to possibility, to an aesthetic environment that fosters human connection. For me, music is the means to the beauty, the spiritual essence, and the humanity that overwhelm this world.
Music makes life worth living.
I hope that you and your students play the piano for similar reasons!
- Greg
Performance Beyond Playing
Dear Greg,
In a few months, I will be performing for at a very large event. I would like my fun piece to not only sound great, but be entertaining to watch as well. Do you have any advice on how to work with the audience when performing (regarding facial expressions, etc.)? Is there any special "choreography" that I should take note of when performing a piece (for example, lifting hands off the piano at a certain time when the piece is done)? Do you know any resources that I could use to aide me in the process? Your advice is greatly appreciated!
- Caitee
Dear Caitee,
I would never endorse facial expressions or choreography unless the music demands it. There's nothing worse than watching a pianist artificially throw their limbs into the air because they think it may entertain the audience.
I suggest you start at the root of the issue versus its surface. Instead of asking what sorts of gimmicks and tricks you can utilize to "entertain" the audience, ask yourself how you can heighten the impact of the music. Most of your energy should go straight back into the music itself; you should be performing every piece as if it's the last time anyone in the world will ever listen to it.
Only after you've uncovered exactly what makes the music tick will other facets of the performance become clear. If for some wild reason, you end up tossing a sexy glance to the audience, it will be because you had no choice but to toss a sexy glance to the audience. It will be something the music demands of you; not something you decided to do because you thought it would be cute. Likewise, your outfits should be dictated by your interpretation of the music and not by whichever outfit may generate the biggest gasp from your audience.
Sabre Dance or A New Account of the Blue Danube Fantasy are unusual because they demand some visual performance as well as musical, but in most pieces you'll find that contorting your face and flailing your limbs are unnecessary and artificial. In the end, if you do your job, if you do what the music demands of you, you will entertain your audience.
- Greg
Preparing to Perform
Greg,
Could you outline what is involved in preparing mentally and physically for a solo performance? Furthermore, as I am a shy person by nature, I suffer from nerves in performance situations. If you have and information or advice on ways to overcome this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Juvena
Dear Juvena,
You've asked a very tricky question to answer. Over the years, I've actually found that the less I think about nerves, memory, and pre-concert preparation, the better! I used to have a pre-concert routine worked out, but I found that it was just a waste of time and it made me more nervous. Instead, I now acknowledge my nerves, but I don't dwell on them. I try to stay focused and secluded, but I'm easy going and allow for "emergencies." I try to find time to warm up, but I don't get my undies in a bunch if I can't.
It really only takes a brief, concentrated moment and a couple deep breathes to center oneself. If you make a big deal out of it, chances are things won't go the way you planned and you'll walk onstage flustered and frustrated. I prefer to walk onstage without any expectations, but ready to seize the moment.
Most important of all, remember to enjoy the music!
- Greg