"Monkey see, monkey do!" mocks a local critic of the
SuzukiMethod?. Yes! Exactly! I enthusiastically reply. All children learn the environment all of the time. Teachers, and their studios are part of that environment part of the time. If the children are hearing
SenseiKataoka? and other
GreatPianists? constantly in their other environments the only thing missing is watching a great pianist play every day. Video can help and attending live concerts of the finest artists whenever possible is highly motivating and instructive. But the pianist that students observe most of all is his teacher. Therefore teachers must always strive to model the finest piano technique possible. This means not only being committed to a personal practice routine but also being willing to invest in continuing education in tone production and technique. One or more workshops with
MasterTeachers? on a yearly basis provide a good beginning but working on a regular basis with a group of teachers is best.
SenseiKataoka? constantly urges us to "research tone together."
A strong and wonderfully supportive group has been active in the Sacramento area for many years and although I have not always been able to make the 130 mile round trip I owe this group a huge debt of gratitude. This is by no means a complete list of the Sacramento
ResearchGroup - if you are missing, please add your name.
Sacramento Research Group
- WakakoBrewster?
- RitaBurns?
- MarshaCook?
- WinnieLing?
- LindaNakagawa?
- KarolynMcGladdery?
- BarbaraMeixner?
- FloydPerryThistle
- ShirleeRickman?
- GloriaElliott? (moved to Nebraska)
- MariellenStarr? (moved to Utah)
- JillAustin? (moved to Oregon)
- JerryRoche? (started new SMAC? Mt Lassen branch in Chico, CA)
--
FloydPerryThistle - 07 Oct 2003
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