Teaching Repertoire that you don't like?

[chopinlover01]

So, this is more of a question for teachers than anything else. When it comes to pieces or composers you don't like, how does that influence your teaching? Do you still have your students learn Mozart sonatas even if you despise them? Or in Thal's likely case, do you let your students learn Schumann scenes from Childhood ( )?
Curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!

[quantum]

In such case I would focus on teaching elements of technique, expression, compositional analysis, etc.  Essentially, the components that contribute to successful performance and musical understanding.  It is more about teaching musical knowledge rather than passing off personal opinion parading as musical knowledge. 

[chopinlover01]

Excellent posts, but (and correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think you quite answered the question.
If you don't like a piece or composer, do you still have students learn it or encourage them to go listen to the composer? For instance, if you hate Bach, would you still assign Preludes and Fugues to your students?

[j_menz]

For instance, if you hate Bach, would you still assign Preludes and Fugues to your students?

There are plenty of other composers what wrote 'em.

Of course, if you hate Bach, you shouldn't be allowed near impressionable young minds.

[chopinlover01]

What of Chopin or Liszt? You could argue that they're the Bach's and Mozart's of their respective time period (especially in the case of Liszt).

I do agree though, the Bach haters should be in an asylum.

[stevensk]

Im not very fond of:

1) Computor game music
2) Disney music
3) Burgmuller
4) Czerny
5) Starwars crap
6) Harry Potter Themes etc

If my younger students really wants to learn it..its ok

(ok they never asks for Czerny and Burgmuller thank God)

[michael_sayers]

Hi chopinlover01,

My own thoughts on it are that being a student is a journey.  Students can learn valuable things from many teachers, and then put it all together at the end.

Maybe a teacher's feel for Bach, Liszt and Chopin is quite pedantic and austere . . . it can be a good thing to experience that, just as if the teacher encourages romanticism . . . and maybe a teacher can't stand Bach, Chopin or Liszt . . . then the student can find a teacher who even specializes in one or more of those particular composers if this is thought to be needed.

I don't think any teacher knows everything, and that each just gives what he or she has.

You specified responses from teachers: I have had students here and there over the years, and, no . . . and I mention it now before I get attacked in this thread . . . they don't deviate from the score, double bass lines in octaves, asynchronize voices, et c., though their tempos can be quite flexible and with a larger than normal range of dynamics (but some like rigidity and more restricted dynamics, too).  My approach is to discern and respond to the inner musical expressive needs of the student and bring this out, and with use of whatever repertoire is relevant . . . and not to impose any particular views on how the music should be played or be made to sound . . . though I do place a very intense emphasis on pure technique, on tone production, on methods of practicing and of memorization, and on knowing the music and not just the notes; all of my students have learned to compose and to improvise, at least to some extent.

There is hardly any music I don't like, and if a student wanted to study music I don't like, I would suggest that the student go to a different teacher and to one who appreciates that music.


Mvh,
Michael

[yadeehoo]

A teacher is supposed to help a student in achieving his/her set goals

You are free however to refuse to teach certain composers if you don't feel comfortable with it. You can't know and like everything, it's fine.

Just say it straight, and don't hold someone back just cause you need students to make a living, it's just wrong