What should I teach my student next?

[the_franzliszt]

Hi, I have a student who's been playing for about a year now and is a real natural at it. I gave him a new piece, that being Chopin's Prelude in E minor, which he memorized in about a month. He learned that so fast and I really want to know what else he can learn in even longer amounts of time while also keeping a classical approach (Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt) (NO BACH).
Thanks,

Noah Sutton

[lelle]

I'm not sure if it would be beneficial to play pieces that take more than 1 month to complete at this stage. Perhaps an occasional piece that takes 2 months.

[transitional]

Some Beethoven pieces may be a longer stretch - one of the Op. 49 sonatas maybe?

And why no Bach?

[the_franzliszt]

I'm not too big into Bach myself, I see him as really overrated and not needed. If he wants too study Bach at his own house that's fine with me. I was thinking about introducing him to Beethoven's Sonatina in G major or his Sonata No. 14 in C# minor Op. 49, 1st mvt. What do you think would be the better option?

[ranjit]

Maybe my standards are inflated, but learning the Prelude in E minor in a month seems normal or even a little bit on the slow side to me. It's just 1 page of simple, chord based music.

I would suggest doing a large number of pieces at a similar level working on different aspects of technique and musicality.

[transitional]

I'm not too big into Bach myself, I see him as really overrated and not needed. If he wants too study Bach at his own house that's fine with me. I was thinking about introducing him to Beethoven's Sonatina in G major or his Sonata No. 14 in C# minor Op. 49, 1st mvt. What do you think would be the better option?

I'd say that the Op. 49 No. 2 sonata is the best option. The moonlight is slow and dragging, which has already been done in the prelude. And I don't think the Sonatina's a good choice since it's not a "real" sonata and it's not attributed to Beethoven. I'd find it more fun to learn a longer piece of similar difficulty, personally.

I think it's fine if you don't really like Bach and don't want to teach his music much. However, I think it's best to introduce your student to all forms of music, not just 19th century virtuoso pianist-composers. At least try to teach something from this era - be it Bach or something else. It's just good to look at this music with different perspectives: Baroque music uses traditional forms, techniques, and lots of counterpoint that might be good to experience. Does not have to be all the time, but like I said, introduced at least.

[keypeg]

It appears that you are not asking * what * you should * teach * next.  You are asking which piece you can help your student learn to play next.

[lostinidlewonder]

I'm not too big into Bach myself, I see him as really overrated and not needed.

As a teacher I think you should realise that harbouring that stance is highly marginalised and not defensible. Bach is taught at all reputable music establishments.

I agree with ranjit that the learning rate is not something exceptional, so be wary not to over extend this student.

You need to know this students interest to form a correct pathway forward. If they merely want to do whatever you say then you need to help them develop direction and taste for music. Play a number of pieces and see what they'd like to learn the most.

Lelle makes a good suggestion to avoid pieces that do take over a month, work with more bite sizes works to build their experience with.

[quantum]

He learned that so fast and I really want to know what else he can learn in even longer amounts of time while also keeping a classical approach (Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt) (NO BACH).

I'm not too big into Bach myself, I see him as really overrated and not needed. If he wants too study Bach at his own house that's fine with me.

IMO this attitude is not setting a good example for your student. 

Many who have been around music for a long enough time, whether they be professional or amateur, will experience a situation where they have to learn a piece of music they do not particularly like.  One could rant all day long about dislikes and grievances of the piece, or one could learn the music, present it professionally and move on.   How one chooses to proceed could mean the difference between getting paid for a job, or not.  It could also be the difference in being called back for more jobs, or getting recommended to other people for jobs, or not. 

Bach is not one of those composers that one should take such a trivial attitude towards.  If your student decides to pursue music seriously, there will come a time where Bach will be required for an exam or audition. 

There is a difference between having an opinion about certain music, which is completely fine, and withholding part of a student's education just because the teacher has a certain opinion about music, which IMO is irresponsible and professional negligence. 

[brogers70]

IMO this attitude is not setting a good example for your student. 

Many who have been around music for a long enough time, whether they be professional or amateur, will experience a situation where they have to learn a piece of music they do not particularly like.  One could rant all day long about dislikes and grievances of the piece, or one could learn the music, present it professionally and move on.   How one chooses to proceed could mean the difference between getting paid for a job, or not.  It could also be the difference in being called back for more jobs, or getting recommended to other people for jobs, or not. 

Bach is not one of those composers that one should take such a trivial attitude towards.  If your student decides to pursue music seriously, there will come a time where Bach will be required for an exam or audition. 

There is a difference between having an opinion about certain music, which is completely fine, and withholding part of a student's education just because the teacher has a certain opinion about music, which IMO is irresponsible and professional negligence.

I agree. And on top of all you have said, those composers whom the OP and student actually do like seem to have liked Bach a good deal and have spent a good bit of effort studying his music. Maybe they were on to something.