To ramseytheii: about Bach and Lady Gaga

[costicina]

I want to add something to your remark about my daughter’s performance of Bach’Allemande.
if the implicit meaning was: keep your hands off  the sublime Bach, switch instead to Lady Gaga…  Well,  I think it’s at least unfair.  
The time and the hard work a teenager chooses to dedicate to Bach’s music IMO shouldn’t be dismissed nor despised.
Regardless of the outcome (far from good, I agree), the very process of TRYING to learn this piece has been so good for Costanza, in a  broad sense. There are  worse ways for a 12 yrs old girl to spend her time.
So, mind you, we’ll keep on practicing this kind of music, of course with the due awe of Bach & company, I'll promise...and (relief, relief!!!), we'll never post any piece in this board meant only, as I understand, for good/accomplished pianists

Best regards

Margherita

[ramseytheii]

This really would have been best sent as a personal message.  I believe you misunderstood what I was saying, and it could have been very easily cleared up "face-to-face" rather than as an announcement on a public forum.

My only goal was to find one constructive comment that would be the umbrella for improvement.  I felt my comment encapsulated that in one formula, rather than talking about it bar-by-bar.

I mentioned Lady Gaga because she had a quote that I found very interesting, "Once you learn to think about art, you don't need a teacher."  I've often felt the same way, and in my own studies of certain composers, thought there was something essential to their style which would make all their music accessible.  So that's the way I feel about Bach in this case.

I never used Lady Gaga as a pejorative or as a condescending device.  In fact you will find that I have posted encouraging comments on a few Lady Gaga piano covers in the Audition Room.

I hope this clears it up for you.

Walter Ramsey

[alessandro]

Hi Costanza, hi Margherita,
and hi Walter and hi forumeers,

Before I interfere in this interesting bribe of conversation (I'm sorry Walter, if you'd rather prefer me not to, but you certainly agree with the public character of this forum) I would like to react to Costanza's interpretation of the Allemande here in the Audition Room.   It is there.  (I like the Allemande and this Partita a lot).   So, there it is.  Were there any wrong notes ? I don't think so.  It must be an achievement for her.   I don't feel comfortable with this thought "that there are worse things for a 12 years old girl to spend her time with", and it sounds like a killing joke.   If it wasn't for a certain feeling that I have towards you, Margherita, Costanza, your promise of not posting in the Audition Room again, could indeed be a "relief", but I feel that it is somewhat rude from you to talk like that.    Pianists are often very sensitive people :-)  We have the luck in this Audition Room to hear amateurs, in the best sense of the word (they often sound nicer to my ears than professionals, or - even worse - the "accomplished pianists" as you say).   The accomplished pianist...  please beware this Audition Room for that type of person.
  
For some reason, I also don't feel comfortable with this public kind of slur towards Walter.   You are a protective mother I think.  I hope Costanza can pull a lot of joy out of the some Two or Three part-inventions.   The double, triple maelstrom of voices that one can find in some Two Part-inventions can be very useful for this set of dances and for this Allemande.   This Allemande now sounds like a parade, as a tour on a hobby-horse.   What I miss, is fun and joy, now it sounds as mere achievement.   Maybe Costanza likes studying, I'm quite sure she is a magnificent, smart girl, and she sure likes that you are proud of her, but if she likes Bach - as you say, and I do believe you - now that is an interesting and most valuable starting point ; I'm looking forward to hear it in her performance that she likes Bach.

Very humble and kind greetings to you all.
Candidate for the Peace Nobel-prize 2012,
Alessandro.

[costicina]

Dear Alessandro,
I’ m so happy to have the chance to apologize in  public --  as I did in a personal message --  to Mr Ramsey for my “outburst”:  out of place and inopportune, as you rightly pointed out.
Maybe I’m an over-protective mother (and a bit touchy person,  I admit), but I’m having a hard time now with my daughter’s attitude towards piano playing. Costanza loves it, but with  her peer-ages she feels very alone in this “hobby”:  sometimes she is even ashamed to say that she studies classic music--  something  dismissed  as boring, “out”, etc. by most of them. The gregarious instinct at  this age is stronger than the inputs from the family, and I’m afraid that sooner or later she will quit. That’s why the association Bach- Lady Gaga upset me in such an  unpleasant way…

In short, I sincerely want to apologize for my rudeness:  the beauty of this forum is the chance to share problems and experiences, to gain insights, to improve through criticism: since now we enjoyed all of that from all of you -- and we learned  some useful “lessons” in the broadest sense...  

As for Costanza’s experience with Bach, she already learned some Two parts inventions (8, 1, 4,), and the Praeludium 10, WTC II (Rosalind’s Turek’s performance was a revelation to her).
I’ll keep my promise (relief for most of you!!) not to post any other performance of my daughter in the audition room. Maybe in he Studen’s corner…. as a cry for help!

Thanks  a lot to all of you
Margherita

[pianowolfi]

Dear Margherita, I don't see why you shouldn't post in the audition room. Recordings like this have a place as well here! And regarding the teenie stuff: why can't she play some pop as well as classical? I think her mates will be very impressed if she's able to show off with a Metallica-, Coldplay-, or Rihanna- song.

[costicina]

Dear Pianowolfi,
 to say the truth, Costanza too is crazy for the kind  of music you mention…
The problemi is that her teachers (me in first line) are not able to teach her to improvise, to explore and experiment how sounds/chords can be joined in a design YOU decide to shape and make meaningful.
This is the bad side of a classic music training in the traditional way: somehow, it hinders your creativity, your spontaneity,  the very sense that music is a channel  to convey your moods, your feelings, your true self.
We live in  Rome, not in a obscure town  in the middle of nowhere, but till now I was not  able to find THE teacher I’m looking for.
Anyway, my daughter doesn’t have  any  particolar musical “talent”. She is,  and always will be, an amateurish piano-player. Nonetheless, I hope that this demanding – sometimes frustrating -- journey into classic  music will help her to develope and enrich her potential as a human being. That’s my only ambition as a mother... and a classic music lover
Thanks a lot for everything
Margherita

[starstruck5]

I think it is wonderful that these days we can hear performances which are not necessarily by the elite. Yes, it is wonderful to hear accomplished playing - from people who have dedicated their lives to the instrument.

Having said that, I find it refreshing and moving to hear the piano played for the love of it, by people of all ages. 

On the downside criticism can be unkind, even if it is meant to be helpful, and so inviting it is a very brave thing to do!  We forget sometimes how very unique, each of us are. No one will ever play a piece exactly the same and maybe we should learn to celebrate our humanity. Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone played music the same and perfectly all the time. We would then be mechanical robots.

Please don't stop posting!

[costicina]

Thank you so much,  Starstuck5!!
 I still feel deeply guilty for my rude reaction to Mr. Ramsey’s comment . I know it was generously meant to be helpful; unfortunately, it came in a moment of stress and discouragement, and that’s explain my inappropriate reaction…

Anyway, you got the point: my daughter is an average 12 yrs old girl who ist trying to learn (classic) piano just for her personal  gratification and enjoyment. In order to do this, she has to sacrifice a precious portion of her very limited free time;  worst of all, her achievements in this field  are completely  disregarded or despised  by her mates.
It’s hard to inspire her the courage to be “different"...This forum, wide enough  to let in  accomplished pianists as well as humble amateurs, has been so far a great help in this arduous task. Your post is the best proof of what I mean….
Many many thanks
Margherita

[kellyc]

Hi Margherita. After reading your last comment I felt compelled to mention that up until the time I was 14 when it came to music and the piano I was as mediocre  as mediocre could be. Yes I dutifully practiced and did as I was told, but there was no spark or fire in me. Right after my 14th birthday it all changed. My love of music exploded. My desire to learn , to understand and to express myself thru art became paramount in my life. All for no reason what so ever that I can discern. It just happened. I say this because not everyone starts out as a prodigy . I know I certainly wasn't. I have no idea who or what your daughter will become, but then neither do you. Perhaps, a Doctor, or housewife or teacher, or maybe a musician. As a parent it seems to me since I have no children of my own, that one of the primary jobs a parent has is to maximize the number of opportunities there children have to follow there own dreams. I think that is why we introduce our young children to art and culture. Just on the small chance that a spark will be lit there and turn into a bright light. 

I hope all this hasn't sounded to wordy or preachy. Just remember its the journey that counts , not the destination.

Only the very best, Kelly

[costicina]

"To lit a spark in her life"... you got so right the point, Kelly!! That's what I'm striving for, nothing else!!!
Music can refine and bring out the best of us as human being...

P.S. This forum is going to be not only a great help in the piano playing field, but also a first class psychotherapy!!!
Best wishes


Margherita