Last summer, while passively experiencing one of the many instructional
videos of Prof. Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco conservatory, I
learned that the "master class" was invented by peripatetic
peacock Franz Liszt, who seems to have helped create the 18th c.
mythology of the deified solo musical genius. In a short period of
extreme effort, he established himself as a piano prodigy in Europe and
later became such an admirer of syphilitic imaginatarian Wagner.
Last January, I saw a "guitar master class" presented by Nigel North
after he gave a concert of Dowland and Francesco at Loyola Marymount
Univ. I was flabbergasted at the consummate skill with which Nigel
handled this event. One of the participating students was a well
known but young Hungarian guitarist who dashed off a brilliant and
difficult Bach lute suite section (I apologize for not being able to
remember which BWV number) leaving Nigel speechless. But Nigel was
just as skillful as any of the students, picking up a guitar, playing a
passage beautifully, then saying "but I don't play the guitar" which
made me chuckle.
Personally, I think master classes are fake classes where insecure
famous professionals intimidate younger budding artists into thinking
that they are inferior, forever, to the great master, whose feet are
actually made of clay. Maybe Nigel is an exception.
Mark Seifert
From: David van Ooijen <davidvanooi...@gmail.com>
To:
Cc: lutelist <lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 2:41 AM
Subject: [LUTE] Re: Inspired Teaching and Learning. Was: Bream
Collection
Now wouldn't that be something? A magic formula for every
teacher-student combination?
To learn any instrument, you'll need to study an extended period of
time with a teacher who's good at teaching you a solid technique. To
become a good musician, you'll need to work with teachers who can
help
you to develop your own musicality into playing that will speak to an
audience. It goes without saying that first and foremost you'll need
to
bring your own dedication and motivation, as no teacher can do that
for
you.
I think a regular lesson with your reacher should be quite different
from an incidental lesson at a workshop or masterclass. Prepare these
lessons differently.
David
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