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I've always enjoyed the process...the piano goes on forever...
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You are so right.! Always be carefule where you tread.
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I agree wholeheartedly. Plus, what is a “Steinway top teacher “?! Sounds like a scam
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Frank Steinway has a "Top Teacher" program in which they award teachers in different communities, "...who have demonstrated a passion for inspiring young people in their musical expression, as well as a commitment to insisting that their students practice and perform on the finest pianos in the world". You have to be nominated for it by your local Steinway dealership. I wouldn't call the program a scam but I definitely think it has a clear element of marketing / PR / advertising to it. In my opinion, it also overtly services the wealthy since not all teachers or students can afford a Steinway.
That said, I think anyone claiming to be a "Top Teacher" and using that status to promise magic learning speeds is certainly not acting ethically. First, Steinway makes exceptional pianos but they are not pedagogues so I do not know why the teachers they have chosen to recognize would be guaranteed to have musical secrets unavailable to other teachers. Second, there are many exceptional teachers and performers in the world that value other makers over Steinway for a variety of reasons. Last, there are no short cuts in learning and efficacious teachers know that the pace is mostly determined by the ethic and aptitude of the student, not by the teacher.
Anyway, I just meant to answer your question about "Top Teacher" and I got pulled in!
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I agree with your assessment. For me, its a lifetime process. No short cuts. Those claiming short cuts or secrets are selling fool's gold.
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I’ve looked up the teacher. He has a masters degree in piano performance from a leading conservatory. Actually I think he is right that using the students’ favourite songs to learn is an effective and inspiring approach for busy adult amateurs.
He also offers a free first lesson consultation so what’s the harm of trying? You can also watch some videos from his YouTube channel, which is a good indication of whether you’d like his approach.
I’m not too impressed with his musicality though. Like it’s fine but I’m not in awe, like I’m with my teachers
