This summer I got a chance to study for a week, every day with a piano professor from Japan. Her name is Aki Mitsukami and she did part of her education in Vienna, currently working there.

First of all, what I noticed is that everything was very organized in her mind, more than that of the teachers I've met in my country. She had more practical ideas for fixing problems and despite the language barrier and bad English she was able to help me solve any problem and she was able to explain abstract things to me the way nobody else before her could do.

Second, she did not underestimate me for being a late beginner. She took me on seriously and worked with me seriously.

Right now I am studying piano methodology and I am learning about developing technique, ways to combat technical problems (scales, arpeggios, double notes, chromatic runs, octaves, legato, non legato, phrasing, learning long phrases, pianistic movements, etc), what to do when the student is struggling with particular problems, how to develop all the musical abilities as a whole. And a lot of the "tips and tricks" of the trade that I learned, she was using but in a very unique way making everything understandable.

The result of my week with her was a concert in which I participated and the feedback I got from the people was great! The mayor of the town we were playing in was delighted, he shook my hand and said he liked my music very much. There were two reporters from a major radio station that knew I am a late beginner and they had some great advice for me, they also told me they enjoyed how I was able to play around with the dynamics of the pieces and bring life to them with it. They had constructive criticism on bad points too which was awesome. Several more people commented on the great use of dynamics and they told me my playing was very emotional and that they liked that.

I played in a full concert hall, like never before. Had problems along the way but I was not nervous to the point of losing control and I did the best I could in that particular situation, given the lack of experience on the instrument. This time I did not care how far ahead all the other musicians that played before or after me were. I did not even think about it. All I thought was joy for being able to share my music, regardless of technical level! That's the kind of approach she was able to instill into me in just 7 days of lessons. That's amazing! Not only to be a good teacher but to be able to inspire the student, that's very special.

I want this feeling back! But ever since that concert I haven't been able to replicate it again.

interesting experience. It goes to show just how much different and unequivocally better good teachers are from just teachers

What a wonderful experience to have had, Teodor! Thanks for describing it in such detail.

Was this part of an organized program or festival? Please tell us more about it.

I hope you will try to stay in touch with this teacher.

great experiece, thanks for telling about it.

Teodor -- I'm interested in what sources you are finding to study piano methodology -- it's something I'm very interested in and the bit of reading I've done has actually resulted in my being able to ask good questions of my current teacher -- who is very good -- and gives her an opportunity to teach me even more.

That's brilliant Teodor! She sounds wonderful. You have made some excellent achievements on piano. What grade are you?

I don't know I don't have time to sit these exams. I have exams in the conservatory. But I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle of grades, not too advanced yet.



I can't help much with that. My textbooks are in Bulgarian. It's a class we take at the conservatory and we study theory for 2 semesters or so and then we are allowed to have practice, we are given a student to work with for a year. I'm just in the theory class yet, I need the highest mark if I will be allowed to officially have a student. So far I'm up to that level but I have 3 more exams left




A summer music course.

http://www.rhodopemusic.com/home.htm

I can't recommend it enough. You won't be sorry if you come this summer. You get to study with my professor that is one of the best pianists in the country and this part of Europe. Her teacher lineage goes back to Beethoven. She is energetic and highly motivated and specializes in everything, these days mostly modern music. She is the daughter of a very well known bulgarian composer and is generally awesome. You can of course also select to study with Aki Mitskukami who I talked about in my post. If you decide to come I will help with whatever I can. I know the person that organizes this personally from last year, she is great too.

You get to play two concerts in the course of it all. The fees are not too high and lodging is very cheap (something like 10 euro per night and food is about 7-8 euro per day, that's it.)

Also the music course is in a village in the mountains, a beautiful place... Words can't describe how inspiring it is. If you add me on facebook you can see pictures from this year.

http://www.facebook.com/teodortenchev

Sounds like you are doing very well indeed Teodor!

Sounds nice! I have been thinking about going to one of these summer courses one day and this would not be too far away or expensive. How advanced do you think one should be to get full value of the piano teaching?

I do the same. If you want to post or pm me what specific areas of study you're interested in (technique, sight-reading, general piano pedagogy), I could let you know all the texts I've come across along with reviews.

Teodor I have been listening to the music you put on the recital- it is really beautifully played. I love the sound of your piano- what make is it? I am not familiar with the music you played but it is lovely.

It's an original piece. As for the piano it's a Russian piano, the make is Akord which translates to Chord. I had it tuned recently. The action is terrible but it sounds good.



No specific level is needed. At the time I was playing the first movement of a Haydn Sonata (one of the easier ones), Martinu - Colombine Dances, To Zanarkand, Erik Satie - Gnossiene 2, a heller etude. I actually played To Zanarkand in concert, it's video game music.

All you really need is the ability to listen and learn from the experience. Nothing more.

Very nice composition. Your piano sounds beautiful!

I liked your description of your encounter with this teacher, and congrats on the performance!

The quoted part above stood out to me from your post. As a late beginner, you will bring an interesting perspective to your future students.

Most of your peers, no doubt, overcame a lot of these technical challenges early in life and might not remember actually struggling and overcoming these obstacles.

I think your more recent experiences with these problems will let you offer to your students a more insightful and mature approach to teaching them.

And perhaps your guest teacher was insightful enough to see your unique quality and tailor her approach to you so that in the future you will be able to pass on very unique insights and motivations for your students.

Or not. Maybe it was just one great teacher passing on great advice to another great future teacher!