Bernhard?

[db05]

He's a legend around here. Whatever happened to him? Did he just disappear, or did he give a reason for it?

[thalbergmad]

His wisdom was challenged and i don't think he liked it.

He probably got fed up with constantly having to defend his position against the Hanonists.

Thal

[db05]

His wisdom was challenged and i don't think he liked it.

He probably got fed up with constantly having to defend his position against the Hanonists.

Thal

Oh. I thought you killed him, Thal.

But it's still too bad.

[thalbergmad]

Yeh, he is missed.

His word was pretty much law on here for a long time. Somebody posed a serious challenge to his theories ( i cannot remember who) and i think Bernhard probably thought he was wasted here or he was wasting his time.

Thal

[pianolearner]

Yeh, he is missed.

His word was pretty much law on here for a long time. Somebody posed a serious challenge to his theories ( i cannot remember who) and i think Bernhard probably thought he was wasted here or he was wasting his time.

Thal

Maybe you were being sarcastic Thal. But it's funny how everybody remembers Bernhard and mentions him now and then, but nobody remembers those who challenged him, not even the serious ones..

[thalbergmad]

Well, bernhard was here for a very long time and was not just legendary for his piano theories only.

I was disturbed by some of what he wrote, as i was not so easily prepared to depart with the older methods and accept that the way i was taught might have been completely wrong.

I always try to keep an open mind myself, but never found any benefit in disposing with mechanical exercises. What might seem an excellent theory on paper, does not always work in practise.

Thal 

[mephisto]

It was Marik I believe.

Bernhard said a lot of intelligent stuff, I think Marik said so too.

He said all he wanted to say and probably saw no reason to say it again.

[rc]

True, after a while he was mostly just linking to older posts.

[m19834]

Well, I highly doubt that he would have left just because "his wisdom was challenged," plus perhaps he never even felt actually challenged .  Anyway, he has never just said "exercises are crap so give them up" and left it at that, he has always provided reasons for why he states what he states, and those reasons are always sound.  Aside from that, too, he has given alternatives to exercises or ways to make exercises out of passages in order to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  And, it works.

Marik has also obviously contributed greatly and it would have appeared that both Marik and Bernhard had been in a discussion that came from opposite sides, but I personally find that they actually both tend to agree on technical achievement through musical feats, though pointing this out is probably besides the point.

In any event, I would suspect that the reason he would link readers to his older posts instead of posting "new" things is because he may not have felt there was a need for newer things, but instead a better understanding of what had already been given.  If we want new ideas, perhaps there should be a new need.

[thalbergmad]

Anyway, he has never just said "exercises are crap so give them up" and left it at that, he has always provided reasons for why he states what he states, and those reasons are always sound. 

He said Hanon was crap.

Or words to those effect.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

And, it works.

For everyone?

[m19834]

For everyone?

How would I know ?    It's up to the individual to try of course, and give it a fair chance -- and who would wish to do that if they are perfectly happy with what they are doing already ?  Those whom are happy with spending hours doing exercises, fine, keep doing it.  But, those whom are happy without them, fine .

But, it's not truly about exericses or not, it's about what the point in one over the other is, based on how our bodies actually function and how we relate to the instrument itself and the music we are playing.  At least that's my impression.

At any rate, I did not say he never said something is crap, I simply said he didn't say that and leave it just there -- he also gave reasons to support his opinion.

[thalbergmad]

How would I know ? 

Exactly, so it was a silly thing to say unless you were just referring to yourself or your pupils.

Thal

[m19834]

Exactly, so it was a silly thing to say unless you were just referring to yourself or your pupils.

Thal

Well, perhaps I was  .  But, whether that wins me some kind of merit of not being silly in your eyes, well, that's not really the point and you will think whatever you will think.  In any event, I hand a doggy treat in your general direction  .

[mephisto]

He didn't say that Hanon was crap. He even said that specific Hanon exercises for specific problems was no problem at all. He had nothing against that.

This is not my opinion, this is what bernhard wrote.

[thalbergmad]

Well, perhaps I was 

It seemed a more global statement to me, but since i have never really understood any of your posts, I don't really know what to make of it.

Thal

[ahinton]

Well, perhaps I was  .  But, whether that wins me some kind of merit of not being silly in your eyes, well, that's not really the point and you will think whatever you will think.  In any event, I hand a doggy treat in your general direction  .

You do rather seem to be quite an inveterate dispenser of "doggy treats" in various directions; your generosity notwithstanding (and without wishing to express anything remotely resembling advance ingratitude of any kind), I do hope very much that none such will come in my direction, since I am far more cat-oriented and they might therefore risk eliciting rather less appreciation than they might otherwise be intended to merit; I find myself once again reminded of the old cliché that runs "dogs have masters - cats have servants"...

Best,

Alistair

[m19834]

It seemed a more global statement to me, but since i have never really understood any of your posts, I don't really know what to make of it.

Thal

Well, I have always been of the mind that if something is easy for somebody, then there is something easy about the endeavor itself, and it's not just some magic trick that somebody is pulling out of their hat.  I tend to think, 'hmmmm, that seems easy for them, what are they doing that makes it easy ?'

When dealing with principles, there will be some basics that apply to everybody as well as details that are worked out on a strictly individual level.  In any case, even if it had worked for only me, it still worked and therefore it's perfectly fair for me to say "And, it works."

[thalbergmad]

 In any case, even if it had worked for only me, it still worked and therefore it's perfectly fair for me to say "And, it works."

It would have been more accurate to say "and it worked for me"

Thal

[m19834]

It would have been more accurate to say "and it worked for me"

Thal

Yes, perhaps.  If that's all the more I had to say about it. 

[db05]

His wisdom was challenged and i don't think he liked it.

That doesn't sound right. imo, wisdom doesn't get challenged. Maybe his theories were.

[m]

That doesn't sound right. imo, wisdom doesn't get challenged. Maybe his theories were.

Indeed, I never challenged his wisdom--he's shown himself as a very bright and thinking person, with good sense of humour, a lot of fresh and interesting ideas. As much as it is possible to say over posts on internet, he seemed like a nice human being.
I however, did challenge some of his ideas and theories I did not agree with, offering my own arguments and solutions. Then there was Nightingale...
Too bad neither followed up and dropped the board soon after. With all his idiosyncrasies, I still see Bernhard as a very strong and interesting opponent and am still very interested in continuations of those discussions. But maybe he is just the type of person who likes to be always right and does not really like to be challenged...

Best, M

[goldentone]

I wouldn't think that Bernhard had trouble standing on his own two feet if he
was challenged.  And I think the fact that his name lives on is a testimony
to him.

[m]

I wouldn't think that Bernhard had trouble standing on his own two feet if he
was challenged.  

Of course, no doubt about it, hence I said if he liked it.
In any case I sincerely hope the timing was just a coincidence.

[db05]

Indeed, I never challenged his wisdom--he's shown himself as a very bright and thinking person, with good sense of humour, a lot of fresh and interesting ideas. As much as it is possible to say over posts on internet, he seemed like a nice human being.
I however, did challenge some of his ideas and theories I did not agree with, offering my own arguments and solutions. Then there was Nightingale...
Too bad neither followed up and dropped the board soon after. With all his idiosyncrasies, I still see Bernhard as a very strong and interesting opponent and am still very interested in continuations of those discussions. But maybe he is just the type of person who likes to be always right and does not really like to be challenged...

Best, M

Nightingale?

[mephisto]

He just copied links from bernhard's old posts.

[m19834]

I do hope very much that none such will come in my direction

Best,

Alistair

Well, though the doggy treats are indeed pretty good, that is not what I have in mind for you ...

[tds]

methinks he had enough of ps.com.

n surely he did much more than anyone could expect from a single person. needless to say, we want him back, but he deserves all the vacation he wants. tds

[ahinton]

Well, though the doggy treats are indeed pretty good,

Presumably only for a dog (and I don't have a dog)...

that is not what I have in mind for you ...

What can I say to that?! (except that, whatever it may be, a PM might be a more appropriate place in which to reveal it)...

Best,

Alistair

[allthumbs]

Yes, Bernhard is a legend and he is missed.

I notice on his profile that he is still a Gold Member.

allthumbs

[thalbergmad]

What can I say to that?! (except that, whatever it may be, a PM might be a more appropriate place in which to reveal it)...

I wouldn't get your hopes up too high.

She probably wants to knit you a jumper or something.

Thal

[ahinton]

I wouldn't get your hopes up too high.

She probably wants to knit you a jumper or something.

I do not know exactly what you may purport to mean by that, nor can I say with all honesty that I see a reason to care all that much but, to be more specifically explanatory, what I sought to do (and I believe did) was express no particular idea of having hopes high, low or otherwise in the context concerned, my remark being instead intended to be taken entirely literally - no more, no less - and, for the record and for the avoidance of doubt (as the lawyers say), I am not in the market for a knitted garment, be it a jumper or any other kind of something.

I hope that all of this clarifies that part of my position in the matter that appears to exercise your concerns for reasons presumably best known to yourself...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

There endeth the case for the defence.

Thal

[ahinton]

There endeth the case for the defence.

Really? I was entirely unaware that a court case was in process and, for that matter, still less aware of any need for anyone to defend anything here; clearly you perceive things of which some of the rest of us are patently unaware, so perhaps you might care to do us all the favour of enlightening us as to your thoughts and conclusions in this regard, however accurate or otherwise they may turn out to be...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

clearly you perceive things of which some of the rest of us are patently unaware

You talk like a barrister.

Thal

[ahinton]

You talk like a barrister.

I weren't talkin' - I woz writin' (and that is not how any barrister with whom I am acquainted would think to express him/herself) - and, after all, 'twas you, not I, whose decision it was to initiate the notion of a "case for the defence", so the legal context is accordingly yours rather than mine, it would seem...

And, to return to your earlier remarks, I might add that I do not out of choice want to encounter a sweated knitter, let alone a knitted sweater...

(I hope that Bernhard - the subject of the thread, in case anyone's forgotten - is capable of following all of this, if he's still around)...

Best,

Alistair

[general disarray]

And, to return to your earlier remarks, I might add that I do not out of choice want to encounter a sweated knitter, let alone a knitted sweater...

(I hope that Bernhard - the subject of the thread, in case anyone's forgotten - is capable of following all of this, if he's still around)...

Best,

Alistair

Bernhard -- although not in the mood to communicate directly here -- has asked me to tell you his brow is indeed knitted over that "sweated knitter" and hopes not to sweat in any knitted sweater given the sweltering nature of summer.  He also normally eschews alliteration, allowing others to allocate that avocation for their own august and able selves.

Thank you very much.

[m19834]

She probably wants to knit you a jumper or something.

Thal

hmmm ... is there some hidden meaning behind a 'jumper' ?  If so, I have no idea what on earth that could be, if not, then that is comical to me  .

I will say though that I am neither a sweated knitter nor a knitted sweater  :- -- Perhaps though, this information is far too revealing for the public  .

[db05]

Bernhard -- although not in the mood to communicate directly here -- has asked me to tell you his brow is indeed knitted over that "sweated knitter" and hopes not to sweat in any knitted sweater given the sweltering nature of summer.  He also normally eschews alliteration, allowing others to allocate that avocation for their own august and able selves.

Thank you very much.

 

Don't you mean to say he normally abhors assonance? 

[tds]

bernhard in here is like truecrypt in youtube

[ahinton]

hmmm ... is there some hidden meaning behind a 'jumper' ?  If so, I have no idea what on earth that could be, if not, then that is comical to me  .

Whether or not that is the case only Thal can tell you (should he choose so to do), but I rather suspect that he is just trying to needle you, quite "plain"ly, with his unique "purl"s of wisdom...

I will say though that I am neither a sweated knitter nor a knitted sweater 

I'm quite sure that no one here would have thought for a moment that you are either...

-- Perhaps though, this information is far too revealing for the public  .

Well, it was you yourself who chose to reveal it - but I'd not worry overmuch about that, if I were you!...

Best,

Alistair