Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Umi Garrett - 8 Years Old?

She plays beautifully in a way you would expect from someone older.
But... at the end she flashes a "light up the room" smile that reminds you she's a happy 8 year old



Performed at Steinway Hall & store in Connecticut. There is no applause at the end because it was a recording session. Please visit www.umipiano.com for more information and Umi's upcoming performances.

Talent like this is always a joy to watch.

She has quite the performances coming up which is seen on her website.

Beautiful, poised, amazingly talented child. I certainly hope that she won't be exploited......

That's a little scary. She's really playing the music. I noticed that she really can't play octaves yet, so she just "single-noted" a few of them.

Unbelievable talent.

My jaw is still on the floor. I have seen some of her videos before. If she doesn't burn out, this is the kind who can legitimately compete for the Cliburn at age seventeen.

She seemed to be enjoying every moment of that performance. Amazing. She was really feeling the music... not just playing it. Her smile at the end was priceless.

Oh, I just loved the part near the end where she was getting so excited and bouncing up and down on the bench.

I showed it my son, and his only comment was "Mom, you need to practice more."

I know that I'll almost get flamed here for my post, but anyhow:

I won't get into comparing and maybe, hopefully Umi is completely different, but in this age and time youtube is literally filled with young performers, in every instrument, from drums, to doodle, to piano, to guitar, to anything.

I don't care about her age. Experience has shown that the 'promising' part doesn't appear too often. Can we get a promise that she will advance in the same speed as she did in the first 8 years of her life? If so we will be getting the next Gillels, Richter and Horowitz combined! :-/

The OP says it all I think: "She plays beautifully in a way you would expect from someone older." It's not only the beauty of her performance, but also her age. And her age will only assend! Sadly!

Here's to hoping that she won't end up like most (quotation needed :D) children prodigies do, due to over exposure and lack of a 'normal' life (whatever that means).

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In her defense, should she ever need it, this is one of the few very young pianists who's performances, without looking at the video DID mean something to me. And this is how I judge music: Without looking at the video!

Of the half dozen or so "prodigies" I've known, all but one have careers in music. Only one has a university position, the rest teach privately. All perform now and then, but none do anything with a high profile.

My little brother is almost 8 and the only thing he can do on a piano is bang the keys as incredibly hard as he can.

I do always wonder though, how these young good pianist practice? How do they have enough time for school, and even friends? Heck my little brother doesn't even have time to talk to us. Yes he probably isn't nearly as disciplined, but I wouldn't take his friends, all his time, and a little tv away from him. Sure I love piano, but I wouldn't give up a childhood for it.

Just wondering.

When I was in high school, I remember the professor I studied with had a seven year old prodigy in her studio. I marveled at the work ethic, and at the output.

Of all the people I've met during my studies as a musician (general), I think that most (>70%?) are making a living as musicians. None were hailed as prodigies!

EDIT: Of course 'high profile' is always overated (as I found out myself, when I discovered that there are other composers except Ligeti and Boulez in my early 20s (and my total lack of knowledge and missing of the Internet).)

It makes me worry.

Is this a true prodigy who eagerly practices because she is driven from within to create beautiful music, or is this a child of parents who demand every moment be structured and productive and every endeavor drilled in until it becomes superior leaving no time for childhood exploration? Is the smile at the end one of happiness or is it relief because "I pleased Mama and Papa"? What will happen when this child grows into a young woman and starts to make her own choices?
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Best regards,

Deborah

She is sweet and talented. No doubt about it. I think how far she would go depends on how much she loves music when she grows bigger.

The thing that I do not quite understand is about her teacher. The piano repertoire is vast. Why she played this piece when she was only 8? I just wish that she has a wiser teacher.

Well, at age eight, my son had already been playing for .... oh, that's right, he hadn't yet started.

I'm just curious...do you play as well? Is your son a member here also?

Yes, I play. I was pretty well trained as a teen, and then went through a not uncommon withdrawal until later in life. I never lost my skills, and my technique is now as good or better than it was in the dim dark past. But I do not practice enough, or at least not continuously enough, to tackle big new works. Maybe when my kids are all through with school ....

My son has posted here before (as Book_Worm), but frankly he's not much interested in PW. That's fine with me. As far as forums go, I think he would rather post on a Call of Duty or World of Warcraft site.

Are you suggesting that this piece requires the sensibilities of a more mature performer? Given this child's technical and interpretive skills, what would you have recommended in place of the Liszt?

Regards,

Deborah,

Do a youtube search for "Uni Garrett" and watch her on Ellen's show. It doesn't completely resolve the totally valid concerns you raise, but I think the interview helps allay them quite a bit.

-Jason

Ah, I see. I was just curious, since I've always thought it a wee bit odd that so many of your posts are about him, etc.