Klarinet Archive - Posting 000686.txt from 1996/04

From: Nate Burk <nathan@-----.COM>
Subj: High school appropriateness (Re: Rabaud Solo de Concours)
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 12:57:52 -0400

Regarding the Rabaud Solo de Concours:

> This is an advanced piece that should be approached by an
>advanced player, not in high school (yes, I'm sure there are a couple of
>high school students in the US that are able to play this piece musically).

While this particular piece may be a difficult one that most high school
players can't do justice to, I was kind of surprised to hear that it
"should" not be played.

I remember suffering through lessons with a teacher who simply refused to
let me play solo pieces, telling me that I wasn't ready to play them and
couldn't get anything out of them. I think it's great for students to try,
once in a while, to play something that may be too difficult for them. It
provides motivation, and any work that a "premature" student does on the
piece isn't a loss; whatever the player learns from the piece can be used
later on when he or she gives it another try.

I remember how much more exciting my lessons could've been if I'd had more
challenging music to play, even if I never got it 100% perfect. I don't
think anybody has a right to restrict certain pieces to certain types of
players -- a serious high school student can usually decide for him or
herself what they can reasonably play, and if a less-than-accomplished
musican wants to bite off more than they can chew, then that's their
decision. It's none of our business if the piece is played musically; if it
makes the player happy, then that's all that matters.

Remember, we're talking about young students here. While I teacher has a
responsibility to keep their students focused, they shouldn't overlook that
otivation is just as important as technical development.

W hat good is technique without motivation?

--Nate

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Never let school interfere with your education. -- Mark Twain
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