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Piano Street Magazine:
When Practice Stagnates – Breaking the Performance Ceiling: Robotic Training for Pianists

“Practice makes perfect” is a familiar mantra for pianists, yet true perfection remains elusive. Research suggests that a robotic exoskeleton could assist pianists during the practice phase in increasing speed in difficult passages by overcoming the well-known “ceiling effect”. Read more

Topic: How do you decide when to drop a student?  (Read 16097 times)

Offline mishamalchik

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Re: How do you decide when to drop a student?
Reply #50 on: July 23, 2017, 04:06:31 PM
OP here

Wow does this thread bring back memories!!! I really didn't understand why my teacher had chosen me as a student. He doesn't usually take beginners and the rest of his studio is head and shoulders above me. Yet here I am, getting ready to begin a second year with him (once he signs the contract his stuck with me for at least another 3 months) working on some late Beethoven, Liszt, and Bach.

My takeaway from this has been that teachers drop students for a reason and they take students for a reason. I'm by no means the greatest pianist that has ever been, but I work my butt off and now I'm a reasonable asset in his studio.

From the students perspective, we see a very hierarchal relationship, and now I don't think my teacher shares that view at all. He sees it as more of a partnership, and seems genuinely enthusiastic to work with me. I like to think I keep him on his toes because I am coming from a background that is polar opposite in almost every way to the rest of his studio. This also means he has to think about music in a different way, so that he can translate that to me in a way I understand.
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Piano Street Magazine:
A Massive Glimpse Into Ligeti’s Pianistic Universe

Performing Ligeti’s complete Etudes is a challenge for any pianist. Young pianist Han Chen has received both attention and glowing reviews for his recording of the entire set for Naxos. We had the opportunity to speak with the pianist after his impressive recital at the Piano Experience in Cremona last fall. Read more