Banned from Piano World

Well, it finally happened. I was banned from Piano World. Many didn't like what I had to say about the topic 'Piano Masterclass - Helpful or Absurd' so when enough people complained - they pulled the plug on me.

Which is fine by me I guess.

I never really fit in there, but like others, used the forum to fill spare time and fight boredom.

But now they can have an environment that contains little or no diversity. It's all classical all the time. Which is strange since the name of the forums is 'Piano World.'

I have nothing against the owner, Frank Baxter, but some of the moderators over there are nothing but errand boys sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill. :)

Cowards really as I never broke any forum 'rules.' The only thing I did 'wrong' was to have a strong opinion. The opinion of someone who has discovered and approachd music a completely different way then what most are used to.

But live and let live I say.

If any of you are members over there, say hi for me. :)

P.S. Just noticed that the errand boy Kreisler posted a link to this blog. Good little errand boy. Your grocery clerks are now appeased. Thanks for the traffic by the way. :)

Creating a Skilled Performer

Recently I posted an article at the Piano World forums that generated a lot of ‘heat.’ What I posted was titled “Free to be Creative at the Piano.”

Well, it didn’t go over big. In fact, one poster argued that I wouldn’t be creating ‘skilled performers’ with my approach.

I agreed with him. Creating a skilled performer is not high on the pianist values chart for me.

You see, there are literally thousands of teachers out there who will happily turn you into a skilled performer. Then you can play for other people and get the accolades so many strive for.

I understand the appeal of this. But I also understand that so many are literally starving to ‘feel’ something without having to perform like an autobot.

I place much more value on helping someone get in touch with intuition and then allowing that to express and inform the music. A radical departure from the linear A to B approach, my approach requires only that you have the courage to sit in front of your piano keyboard and allow for the unexpected.

Simple materials will help you accomplish this.

Will I post at Piano World again? I’m thinking about it. I didn’t expect that much of a reaction from what I wrote but I feel what I have to say deserves to be heard.