masterclass?

[casparma]

What is a masterclass?

My teacher recommands me to go to a masterclass on Saturday, because there is a piano proffesor from a Conservatory comming to my music school.

He said I could go there with some scores and play a few pieces while he's listening, then he will usually give some invaluable advices in terms of praciticing, technique, and the interepretion of the music. And the whole event lasts for about 6 hours..... that's a bit TOO long, more over, there is only one piano during the master class, and I dont know how many people are attending.

So, I wonder what do people really do in a masterclass for piano of course.

[faulty_damper]

Think of it as a public lesson but the instructor will be mostly making comments about the student toward the audience.  A student will usually play in front of the audience and the instructor will make comments.

Depending on what the teacher knows and how to transmit this information, he could be very helpful to the student and some audience members or be an absolute waste of time to everyone and also potentially dole out bad advice.  The latter is the most serious as it can lead to injury if a student, not just the one playing, takes it seriously in his own practice.

You may choose to attend to experience what this teacher can offer and depending on your own experience, you may find him extremely helpful or a waste of time.  But you won't know unless you go.

[casparma]

thanks for your response....

This is my first attendance of a masterclass though.... So, I will go for the 1st experience.

I think it will be boring though, because it takes like 6 hours. Yeah, 6 hours of piano learning is quite scary, but WHO knows.


thanks again

[donjuan]

Ive gone to a couple of them.  Both times were positive experiences; the visiting expert in both cases was very encouraging. After all, it's not their job to be hard on the students.  Usually, the regular teacher is the most brutally honest, but it is still helpful to have other people listen to you play, since in fine arts, the line between acceptable and unacceptable is blurry.

dont worry about the 6 hours thing; Im sure you'll break for coffee.