Carlberg Jones wrote: > At 7:09 PM -0500 2/26/06, Steve Freides wrote: > >Anyone who calls themselves a musician should be able, at the very > >least, to play something simple (like Twinkle, Twinkle, > Little Star or > >similar) in all twelves keys, and do this at the piano as well as on > >their main instrument. > > Why at the piano?
Basic facility at the piano ought to be required of every musician, in my opinion. It is a requirement at every conservatory and every university music department I know. Typically some majors, e.g., conductors and composers, are required to have a higher level, but all instrumentalists should be able to negotiate a simple folk song and accompaniment in all twelve keys at the keyboard. Why? Many reasons - for one, every instrumentalist ought to be able to at least schlep through the accompaniment or reduction of the accompaniment to their soli. Another good reason is when teaching to be able to accompany one's students. The list of reasons is endless. The piano is the universal instrument for good reason, and I do not say this because I particularly enjoy playing the piano - I didn't touch one for the first time until I was in college and had to work very hard to acquire what meager skills I have. -S- _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
