What do you think of this little girl?

[thalberg]

I ran across this on youtube, and it was the ONE child prodigy video I ever liked.  Not that I think it's perfect, but I liked it.

&NR=1

[sharon_f]

Too sloppy, too many wrong notes. What is her teacher thinking! Her technique is so poor that I would immediately put her on a remedial program of 8 -12 hours of practice a day. And no repertoire, not yet. Just scales and more scales, arpeggios, Hanon and Czerny. Yes, that should straighten her out.

[jlh]

lol you do realize she's 5 yrs old, don't you?  What were you doing when you were 5?

BTW, I voted that she's cute. how can you not smile even though she hits some wrong notes and breaks the rhythm once in awhile?

[spaciiey]

She's got talent to work with. I know I certainly couldn't play that well at 5!!

I'd like to see where she is in ten years from now. Hopefully she won't end up being one of those antisocial types though that don't get along with ppl her age group. Also... I hope that when she's older she still actually enjoys music. Loads of child prodigies just play for the sake of it, and not because they *want* to, which I think is a very sad thing.

[counterpoint]

I don't know what to think about this performance. I wonder if it's needed that 5 year old kids play pieces like this one. In my feeling, she (or better say: her teacher) has not understood what the thrill of this funny little piece is.

My absolute favourite "prodigy" on youtube is Rachel, her newest video is Chopin's Waltz op.18

[thalberg]

LOL okay who voted that she's not cute?

[counterpoint]

LOL okay who voted that she's not cute?

If someone did - it wasn't me 

I didn't vote in this poll, so I can't see the result of the votes (there's no button for View result)

[amelialw]

I don't think this little girl should be playing pieces like this. She`s so sweet, cute and talented but her teacher should give her other pieces


this 12 year old girl is really good
https://www.youtube.com/user/ailecec

[sharon_f]

I do hope people realize my response was tongue in cheek.

[thalberg]

I do hope people realize my response was tongue in cheek.

Wasn't sure...haha....thanks for clarifying.

[amelie72]

I like it a lot...but actually the biggest harm for her might being adored on youtube...I have seen very talented children who once they understand that so much is expected from them they start being tense and their creativity gets blocked. She is so good this girl.

[ramseytheii]

I prefer this!

&mode=related&search=

Walter Ramsey

[thalberg]

Well, Walter, of course this man plays Bach excellently.  Great style, steady rhythm, beautiful instrument.  But you see, he's not little and CUTE.  Being CUTE is what matters, even if you pedal too much and have wobbling rhythm and you miss notes.  It always helps to be too small to reach the floor, to be wearing a pretty dress, and to have chubby cheeks.  This is what matters.

[ramseytheii]

Well, Walter, of course this man plays Bach excellently.  Great style, steady rhythm, beautiful instrument.  But you see, he's not little and CUTE.  Being CUTE is what matters, even if you pedal too much and have wobbling rhythm and you miss notes.  It always helps to be too small to reach the floor, to be wearing a pretty dress, and to have chubby cheeks.  This is what matters.

In that case, I prefer this:

&mode=related&search=

Walter Ramsey

[thalberg]

Very funny!

[counterpoint]

It always helps to be too small to reach the floor, to be wearing a pretty dress, and to have chubby cheeks.  This is what matters.

   *lol*

But anyways... I didn't even know, who Bach is, when I was 5 

[amelialw]

In that case, I prefer this:

&mode=related&search=

Walter Ramsey
haha...that's funny

[prongated]

  *lol*

But anyways... I didn't even know, who Bach is, when I was 5 

Would she?

[wotgoplunk]

I worry about child prodigies. I can't get the thought off my mind that they may have been pushed by their parents to practice an obscene amount every day, and end up hating music, or even worse becoming a stereotypical, robotic player.

I don't know if anyone say Ethan Bortnick's Rondo Alla Turca, but it was a 5-year-old, who was clearly being exploited by his parents. They set him up with a site, put videos on youtube that were abridged and sloppily played, and put him on TV. People posted positive comments, and anyone posting constructive criticism was called "jealous" or "kid-hater." The parents also moderated it, and removed all the negative comments.  What effect would that have on the child? Praise for mediocre playing? The video has since been removed...

[amelialw]

ah don't talk about Ethan. after hearing about him, I went to his website. His Fur Elise is so sloppy...it's bad well, not the worst i've heard but bad enough.
I agree...If the parents removed every single negative comment all the child will see is praise for his playing and how is he going to do well. In reality even the best of musicians get negative comments in life, you just have to learn from those comments.

[jlh]

What do you think of this 4 year old?  Cute?  Good?  Bad?

[thalberg]

Well, truly unusual.  For four years old, that's really remarkable.

[elspeth]

What always scares me about seeing such young children play repertoire like this is the  possible damage done by overreaching... you can't scale a piano down so easily as you can other instruments.

I grew up playing flute and - although these weren't produced when I was learning - you can now get flutes with smaller keys closer together and a curved headjoint so the keys are within comfortable reach for a small child - so they can play whatever music they're capable of because the instrument is small enough. You don't give them an 'adult' flute until they're physically big enough to play it comfortably and safely. Same with string instuments, you give a small child a small instrument and get them a bigger version as they grow. There is always a few week's crossover period while they get used to the bigger instrument but it's never more than a few weeks... but they get to learn on an instrument that's the right size for them.

These kids are amazing, yes, but if they were mine I'd be questioning repertoire that they aren't physically big enough to play comfortably yet. Which is not to say they should only play easy music just because they're small, but consideration has to be given to things like reach and hand span.

And of course the social implications... wonder where these kids will be in fifteen years' time. And if they'll still be playing and enjoying it...

[pianowelsh]

She has good facility for a 5 year old. When I say good I mean WAY better than average but perhaps nothing remarkable of you compare to the likes of argerich, polinni, kissin, brendel etc at similar ages.  I would perhaps question the teachers judgement in assigning this 'recital' piece to her at the stage she is at.  Yes ok to study I think its fantastically good for her. But In terms of performance as we could all see she wasnt quite able to hold it all together yet. Something with less hand crossing would have been far more suitable for her and more successfull in performance. Im sure if she has the inclination though that she will go on to do very well.

[outoftune]

I don't think this little girl should be playing pieces like this. She`s so sweet, cute and talented but her teacher should give her other pieces.

She is very talented and her concentration is amazing! 

this 12 year old girl is really good
https://www.youtube.com/user/ailecec

Thanks for your encouragement!

I turned 11 years old not too long ago.

[outoftune]

[...]

I agree...If the parents removed every single negative comment all the child will see is praise for his playing and how is he going to do well. In reality even the best of musicians get negative comments in life, you just have to learn from those comments.

My parents leave all comments except for spam and creepy inappropriate comments.   It has been quite interesting!

[amelialw]

and look at these 2 sisters, they are even better then that 11 yr old girl celia.

[m1469]

Just thought I would add this video that I just happened on yesterday :

An 8-year old playing Liszt La Leggierezza

Watching through these videos, I do notice some common things between them all that greatly aid in "making" them as good as they are -- or atleast helping what is in them to come out.  It's very educational no matter what age you are and I find this one I am posting to be quite inspiring for me, actually.  What I find most beautiful about this particular boy is how much he really seems to own his own pianism and musicianship, as well as the music that he is creating -- there is something different about him; he is not a mere reflection of teachers, but his individuality is showing through.

[counterpoint]

Just thought I would add this video I just found :

An 8-year old playing Liszt La Leggierezza

Woah, how is that possible? It looks completely easy and butterfly-like.
Liszt couldn't have played it better. I'm amazed (and a bit frightened too...)

[gerry]

and look at these 2 sisters, they are even better then that 11 yr old girl celia.

Amazing - she has even nailed the Martha Argerich hair toss without missing a beat.

[opus10no2]

Just thought I would add this video that I just happened on yesterday :

An 8-year old playing Liszt La Leggierezza

Watching through these videos, I do notice some common things between them all that greatly aid in "making" them as good as they are -- or atleast helping what is in them to come out.  It's very educational no matter what age you are and I find this one I am posting to be quite inspiring for me, actually.  What I find most beautiful about this particular boy is how much he really seems to own his own pianism and musicianship, as well as the music that he is creating -- there is something different about him; he is not a mere reflection of teachers, but his individuality is showing through.

You'd have to hear his teachers to make that judgement 

People seem to say that they're impressed by these prodigies for different reasons.

1 - technical ability and ability to learn the pieces...we know this is doable, and we say it's often 'nothing special'

2 - creative musicianship.... sometimes an illusion, because an interpretation can be learnt just as notes can, but it'd still be no surprise if they can make their own interpretations, creativity is either there or it isn't, and if it is then it will show it's face soon as they start playing.

3 - emotional maturity... this is the one I'm less convinced by. People say things like 'wow, how can he understand music with such adult feeling'. Well, thing is - he can't, he understands the music, in an absolute sense, and he can interpret it the way it sounds best, colourfully and imaginatively.


One of the things I'm most interested in is the impact of starting young has on the 'final product'.

Essentially, I don't think it neccesarily makes for a higher peak, just a sooner one.

[prongated]

What I find most beautiful about this particular boy is how much he really seems to own his own pianism and musicianship, as well as the music that he is creating -- there is something different about him; he is not a mere reflection of teachers, but his individuality is showing through.

...eeh? From past experience, I actually think he's been taught how to phrase each and every single one of 'em...

3 - emotional maturity... this is the one I'm less convinced by. People say things like 'wow, how can he understand music with such adult feeling'. Well, thing is - he can't, he understands the music, in an absolute sense, and he can interpret it the way it sounds best, colourfully and imaginatively.

...you continue to surprise me with your views on talent and musicality, opus10no2

...I agree, although if we were to modify "adult feeling" to something like "unusual musical maturity", I should like to make concessions to certain legendary pianists - Schnabel, for example, if you believe how Leschetizky supposedly regarded him.

And then I should also like to propose that the most recent modern-day example of such pianist is Kissin. Check out his recordings of Chopin's concerti when he's 11 or 12. And barely any 18-year-old can play Chopin's 3rd Sonata very well. And I think the fact that his career hasn't died down like many other 'child prodigies' speaks for this.

[amelialw]

yes I agree. Most of these kids who play a piece so perfectly have to be taught their music bar by bar. Although I wished that I had an excellent teacher right from the very start so that I would have accomplished much more by now I do feel sorry for many of these kids who are constantly pushed to work and do not have enough time for fun.

[ultraviolet]

This girl is so cute! I hope I have a daughter that cute someday.  I don't care if she plays the piano though.

[wotgoplunk]

Just thought I would add this video that I just happened on yesterday :

An 8-year old playing Liszt La Leggierezza

Watching through these videos, I do notice some common things between them all that greatly aid in "making" them as good as they are -- or atleast helping what is in them to come out.  It's very educational no matter what age you are and I find this one I am posting to be quite inspiring for me, actually.  What I find most beautiful about this particular boy is how much he really seems to own his own pianism and musicianship, as well as the music that he is creating -- there is something different about him; he is not a mere reflection of teachers, but his individuality is showing through.

How much would you say is the kid's musicality, and how much is the teacher's?

[m1469]

...eeh? From past experience, I actually think he's been taught how to phrase each and every single one of 'em...

he is already an artist.

He is the type of person whom may be a child prodigy ... that's a title he will have to live with and come to terms with.  He may have some kind of career, maybe not.  But, unlike a lot of others, he will quietly and personally outgrow that particular title and play for the rest of his life; no matter who is listening, no matter what his title, no matter how rough the road (and it may be pretty rough) and no matter who else cares.

My first inclination as a teacher would be to protect "that" and guard that as though it were a precious treasure (because it is).

[prongated]

he is already an artist.

He is the type of person whom may be a child prodigy ...

...since he is already an artist, we don't have to speculate whether he's a child prodigy, should we unless of course, this video was taken a few decades ago...

[m1469]

...since he is already an artist, we don't have to speculate whether he's a child prodigy, should we unless of course, this video was taken a few decades ago...

...I am not using the word "may" in this context as a form of speculation 

[pianowolfi]

Spontaneously I think of three cases of "child prodigy" that come to my mind.
1. Mozart
2. Menuhin
3. Arrau

Mozart suffered in his later life from this reputation and from the fact that people did want to listen to a cute child prodigy but not to a phenomenal adult musician. I read that when he performed his "coronation" concerto at the age of 34 it was everything else than successful:

"The concerto's nickname, "Coronation," is of still later origin. In the fall of 1790, Mozart visited Frankfurt-am-Main to attend the coronation festivities for Leopold II, with whom he hoped to obtain a lucrative royal appointment, the sort of post that had eluded him in Vienna. To his wife Constanze, he optimistically wrote, "I am firmly resolved to make all the money I can here and then return to you rejoicing. What a fine life we shall live then!" Yet he would be sorely disappointed. His concert, featuring this concerto, as well as the Concerto no. 19 and one of his symphonies, was poorly attended, and the desired imperial post did not materialize. Mozart had no other option but to return to Vienna almost empty-handed. He would live for only another fourteen months."

(quoted from https://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/mozart_piano_con26.html )

Menuhin had a severe crisis in his later teens after a world tour 1934. He retreated and just studied and found to himself for two years. And later in his life he became a very individual and very spiritual musician who did not go the "programmed" path at all, he was very much discovering new ways, yoga, worked together with indian musicians, founded his own academy, was in some ways pretty controversial even, though very successful.

Arrau said that he got into a severe crisis after his teacher Martin Krause died in 1918. He said that he developed the "wish to fail" in his subconscious and looked for help at a psychologist, being successfully cured after all. He never had another teacher after the age of 15!!!!

[m1469]

Thanks for posting, Wolfi. 

I find it interesting that these individuals seemed to "get away with" only one main crisis over this and then go on in some way with their individuality -- except for Mozart, maybe  :- -- though his contribution is indeed beyond his prodigy label.

[pianowolfi]

Thanks for posting, Wolfi. 

I find it interesting that these individuals seemed to "get away with" only one main crisis over this and then go on in some way with their individuality -- except for Mozart, maybe  -- though his contribution is indeed beyond his prodigy label.

Oh I don't think that there was only one crisis, sorry if I gave this impression, of course there would be more to investigate. Makes me wanty to read biographies

[m1469]

hee hee... yeah, I didn't actually suspect it was only one crisis.

[matterintospirit]

I worry for child prodigies (prodigys?)

[phil39]

very talented needless to say.  she might dissapear into oblivion before she ever gets anywhere near a concert career, or she become one of the world's greats. on the balance of things the former is more likely.  so much will depend on whether she wants to do it when she hits her teens, and even if she wants to, can she concentrate, will she have have enough musical imagination.  is she just a machine? (it's sad for her if she is). 

[matterintospirit]

I worry for child prodigies (prodigys?)

I wish someone would let this poor girl be a child, even for a little while. I HATE parents like that.  To me, it's nothing less than child abuse It's like keeping your pet cat in a carrier, and just letting it out to eat and use the litter box.