Piano Forum

Hmm. Your post is a touch off-topic.

I feel some reply is warranted.
Firstly thanks for the well-wishes. I enjoy discovering and learning. Last night was an eye opener with said C.P.E. His fantasies are brilliant, but I don't think I will tackle his sonatas. But I can't say until I have listened to many more. It has introduced me to Rameau who will be next on the list.

Secondly.
I understand your rant, but it is very misplaced though. She is really very good and by word of mouth, is also teaching other teachers that admit their own limitations in teaching, so that the older skills and knowledge she has gained over decades of teaching do not get lost. She is of course a teacher of many top students young and old.

To clarify and attempt to soothe your mind.
Its unfortunately the case here that most students do not have the interest or skill to get to grips with harder works. It is a real problem in this country.
She implied that she does not like to teach it, because however hard she may try. the students (mostly younger children forced to learn by parents) do not have the interest or talent to get to grips to perform this work properly. So teaching to play the notes is one thing, but delving deeper into understanding the work requires dedication and a will to learn. She does not believe in teaching half-heartedly. If you can not, in her opinion, play a work successfully with your skill she will suggest other works, but she will not refuse to teach a work if you want to stick with it and do her best by applying techniques to adapt your playing to the work's difficulties.

She is not the only one with this issue. I also know other teachers lamenting the fact that modern students do not have the attention or dedication or interest try and understand the music. I am sure you will also agree that no teacher can make a living teaching only the super talented. It is more than sad that the average student does not have the right schooling or future outlook to master the instrument or the music.

She has no problem trying to teach difficult works to anyone that wants to try, but one has to be realistic regarding skill and expectation. I have myself never shied away from and indeed seek out the harder works to play because they teach more and are more interesting. I do, however, have a good idea of my limitations so I don't attempt works I do not feel a connection with that I feel I don't have the skill for.

Your rant is a valid one and echoes her own complaints regarding many so-called "teachers" that have limited skill and no real love of the music or earnest drive to teach correctly. So right with you there.
She never said C.P.E. wasn't good music, merely that it is difficult get students to understand how to perform it correctly as it is rather unique.

Lastly, further to her defence, she knows the music, technique and interpretations extremely well from pre-bach to scriabin. Although she doesn't like modern classical, she still understands and knows it well as any good teacher should, to be able to teach all levels of students.