Letter from Boston
Summer Piano Training
By MASAKO YAMADA
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夏にピアノの特訓
去年は3つも室内楽のサマープログラムに参加し、ハードなピアノのレッスンをこなした雅子さんですが、今年の夏は計画が少し違います。ピアノの技術を上達させる目的は変わりませんが、今回は、特別なコースには参加せず、一人で地道に基礎練習に励むことにしました。時間をかけてじっくり技術を磨こうと考えています。
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I have decided not to do any kind of structured chamber
music program this summer. Last summer, I participated
in three such programs. I considered these intensive
lessons to be a luxury activity, a kind of "perfect
summer vacation" for me, since I do not like to travel.
I like doing constructive things in my spare time.
However, as I was contemplating my plans for this
summer, I realized that I did not want to participate in
any such program this year. These chamber music programs
usually last about a week, during which a group of
strangers must learn how to play a new piece
together.
Since the piano part tends to be the most difficult
to sight-read, it's often the case that the best I can
do before the first meeting is learn enough of the piece
so that I don't stop while I'm playing. This is not
deeply artistic or emotional, and I suppose I've gotten a bit tired of barely getting by. It's not a
satisfying way to approach music.
My teacher and I have been frustrated with my lack
of musical progress lately, and I've been trying to
figure out what I can do to improve the situation. I've
even considered changing the piano teacher I've had for
the past three years. After a lot of thinking, I've
decided to stick with him — he's a fabulous pianist
and is probably even too good for me — and change my
practice schedule.
The fact of the matter is that regardless of what
kind of teacher one has, a person cannot become a better
musician without diligent practice. There is no quick
solution to this.
Whenever my piano teacher tells me to practice more
carefully (hands separately, slowly without pedal, one
page at a time), I can't help thinking that I simply
CAN'T be that careful, since I spend less than an hour a
day practicing. I cannot practice at all on many days of
the week. This being the case, I've always felt
compelled to zoom along at regular speed without looking
back to correct my mistakes.
I'd been looking forward to taking private singing
lessons this summer in preparation for local choir
auditions in the fall, but I've decided against taking
those lessons as well. I probably won't audition for the
choirs in the fall, either. It's not that I've lost my
desire for music: quite the contrary! My desire to
improve has become stronger than in the past and for this
reason, I am prepared to give up on some things that
have hindered my progress.
I would prefer to do group events, such as being a
recital accompanist, playing in chamber music groups
and taking group singing lessons, after I improve my
personal skills. I've always enjoyed the social
element of these activities, but my conclusion is that
now is the time to have a critical ear toward my
music.
This is very painful, because it's time-consuming and
humbling. One teacher who is an expert in piano
pedagogy told me that I should set goals for myself
every time I sit in front of the piano and if I make
mistakes, I should go back and practice until the
glitches are gone. Strangely, I've started to take this
practical approach at school as well, and this has helped
me concentrate on my research much better.
I don't have a piano at home, and I'd been satisfied
playing on my electronic keyboard so far. I cannot get a
piano until I move in
to my own place, preferably a house, and I've accepted
this.
The truth, however, is that the keyboard doesn't sound
anything like a real piano. Worse, it doesn't feel like
one. I have the habit of pounding on the keys and
pedals, and my piano teacher has pointed out that this
may be because I'm not practicing on a piano.
It's true that I sometimes forget to listen carefully
to the sounds I produce on the piano (including noises
produced by my foot hitting the pedal), and I admit it
might be because the sounds coming from the electronic
piano go directly from the digital headphones into my
ears.
To train myself properly, I've decided to start
practicing at the New England Conservatory every day
during the summer. It keeps me in good psychological
shape and thankfully, it's free. As a bonus, I am getting in physical shape: I must walk for more than 30
minutes a day just to get to and from the
conservatory.
Shukan ST: June 30, 2000
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