Bad performance - what to say?

[stormx]

Hi:

My teacher gave a recital, with MANY VERY noticeable mistakes. What to say in that case?

If you simply congratulate him, he can tell you "well, you are not being honest with me. It was a very bad performance, i made many mistakes. You dont need to lie to me".

On the other hand, if you are honest and point out it was not a good performance, he may feel offended. After all, you are his pupil and you dont want to create tension in the relationship.

Did that happen to you?

[m1469]

hmmm ... Well, I did attend one concert where an individual actually got up in the middle of playing, said something to the audience, went offstage and got the music and came back out on stage.  That was noticeable.  I don't know how this person felt, exactly, but I still admired them so much.  I don't know if this person knew how much I admired them, though, except that we did have a late dinner together afterwards and nothing seemed to have phased this person in their interaction with me over it.  In fact, s/he used it as a teaching opportunity upon first seeing me, and I greatly admired that, too!  I didn't have to say anything as far as I can remember.  Otherwise, conversation was actually quite wonderful and uninhibited for us.

But, you can always make sure to point out something that you enjoyed.  "You know, I really enjoyed how you ____" and make it specific (I am really quite bad at that, but often for very good reasons!).

[nearenough]

I played the "Revloutionary" etude in a talent show on a cruise several years ago and got lost in the mid development section, so I started over, skipped it and played the ending with a smash, and later everyone thought it was wonderful.
Rubinstein about 40 years ago was in the midst of the 1st movement of Chopin's 2nd sonata and got lost in the development section there, made up some chords (in time) for about a half a minute and recovered. I asked my seat mates during intermission if they noticed and none of them had.
This goes to show you that probably few know the music all that well and one should not panic when performing.
Of course the professionals don't ever seem to panic or freeze, just us amateurs.

[jinfiesto]

I'd say get a new teacher. Teacher's should be understanding of flaws in student's playing. To be a teacher and fail to prepare adequately for a performance in front of students is unacceptable.

I'm only half serious. But, that being said, everyone makes mistakes from time to time. If it happens again, I'd seriously consider my advice.

[iratior]

I'm curious -- what pieces did your teacher perform poorly?  If the errors were attributable to failed coordination, I would mind it less than if they were attributable to a seeming indifference to the structure of the piece.  For example, if the teacher started playing the Appassionata Sonata and made the first chord c minor instead of c major, that would be pretty vexatious.