At a recent group lesson, students were preparing for the Guild Auditions so they all had ten pieces they needed to practice performing in front of people. They played all their pieces for each other. Some pieces were stronger than others. This was wonderful feedback for students to then know what they needed to practice at home.
One student had difficulty finishing playing a piece from memory. He suddenly just gave up and took his hands off the keyboard with a dejected look on his face. Knowing this student would respond well to direct and blunt instructions, I said, “I don’t care what you play, just play something and make a nice ending.”
I continued, “When you are performing you don’t need my permission, nor anyone else’s. You do whatever you need to do to keep the beat going and bring the piece to a nice close.”
He put his hands back on the piano and played something and found a way to end the piece with more confidence and took a bow.
Afterwards, another student chimed in, “When I get lost, I just play the part I know over and over until I figure out what to do next.”
What a wonderful idea, and another tool students can have in their tool box. Students learning from each other. It is music to my ears.
