LEARNING FROM DOING

I recently gave a presentation to a local piano teachers' association. As excited as I was to give this presentation, I was even more nervous for two reasons. First, I had not given a presentation in several years and thought that my very rusty skills would show. (Enter ego.)  Second, the topic I chose for the presentation was one that the teachers might not enjoy. You might ask why I would pick a topic that might not be well received?  

The title of my presentation was: "Stories without Words:  Exploring the Narrative Side of Piano Performance." The intent behind my presentation was to demonstrate ways a pianist can act as a narrator.  I relied heavily on a wonderful book I discovered while doing research for another project. The book is Improving Your Storytelling by Doug Lipman. The biggest mistake I made in the presentation was one that I tend to make over and over again.  I tried to cram too much into a 45-minute presentation.  I had, of course, practiced giving the presentation (but only to an imaginary audience) but did not do enough "weeding" of material.   

I think my audience was sympathetic, but I am not sure many them wanted to buy what I had to sell. The overarching message of my presentation was teaching students to play the right notes at the right time is not enough. That can be a daunting task, especially if students are attempting to play works that are far above what they can really master. Of course, the other problem is that for many piano teachers, their bread and butter student is one who has a very limited amount of time to devote to piano study, what with soccer, school, social life (Facebook) and other acitivities that fill their days.

After the presentation, which received a tepid applause, only one or two teachers bothered to talk to me. These, of course, were teachers, who really "got" my point. 

I immediately thought of ways could improve my presentation in ways that might improve the receptivity of teachers.  Perhaps I'll get to give it again.  I think it is not only a valid topic to explore but an important one as well.