Piano Forum

Piano Board => Student's Corner => Topic started by: tykelion on February 12, 2012, 01:41:50 PM

Title: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: tykelion on February 12, 2012, 01:41:50 PM

Hello everybody,

I am wondering if it is a good use of my time to attend a masterclass advertised recently. It is to be given by a world renowned pianist:

https://pianoexperts.com/olgakernmasterclass

I am constantly trying to expand my knowledge and improving myself in piano playing, but I have limited time and budget now. I have to work very hard to pay for each one of my piano lessons and purchase books and scores. I am wondering, should I save the money towards my piano lessons or towards future performances of great artists and  spend the time practising my teacher's assignment and listening to great performers or just pay and sit in to listen to this masterclass? What is a better choice? Please help me decide.

Title: Re: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: cjp_piano on February 12, 2012, 01:50:53 PM

I've seen Olga Kern in concert and in masterclass. She is a pretty amazing performer. As a masterclass clinician, she didn't blow me away, but I'm sure you could get something out of it. If you've never attended a masterclass, I suggest you do it just to see what it's like to watch a famous pianist teach someone else.

Title: Re: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: keyboardclass on February 12, 2012, 02:18:42 PM

Just try to hold back on the salivating.

Title: Re: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: gn622 on February 12, 2012, 04:15:30 PM

What exactly are master classes? do you have to be experienced pianist to attend one or do they accept all levels? 

Title: Re: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: kalirren on February 12, 2012, 04:44:48 PM

There are plenty of masterclasses on Youtube.  Listen to a lot of them and get an idea of what you might expect to get out of a masterclass before you decide to plunk the money down for one in person.  The ones I've listened to online have certainly already given me a lot to think about, and there will be other masterclasses for you to attend some other time when you're less financially strapped.  Otherwise, you might well go and then be disappointed because you didn't get your money's worth because you didn't know what you were looking for.

Title: Re: Will I learn something by listening to a Masterclass?
Post by: mcdiddy1 on February 12, 2012, 04:47:50 PM

I would not pay for a masterclass. There are multiple masterclasses that are free. The teaching itself may be helpful depending on who is holding it but you could certainly gain a great deal of information from the playing and the process of getting better as well.