CORRECT AGE FOR PIANO STUDY

New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 384, 1 November 1946, Page 17

CORRECT AGE FOR PIANO STUDY

Sir,-In your issue of August 23, Paul von Sturmer appeared as the author of a provocative article, "Don’t Learn the Piarg Until You're 21," which I thought would have evoked such a storm of protest that I did not bother to comntent upon it, But seeing that only two letters about it have been printed so far, I can but assume the general silence of teachers is due to a natural professional diffidence or the the belief that Mr. von Sturmer is having a little joke, on the principle that von Sturmer a day keeps the piano away. However, Sir, the artiele of which he is guilty contains mis-statements and errors-the mildest terms I can findthat demand the most emphatic refutation, Let me cite a few and answer them. . >

(1) "An adult learns the piano at least four times quicker than the average child." A ridiculous statement, and impossible to prove. (2) "Many eminent pianists did not start learning the piano until the were. the wrong side of (i.e., over. SS lode 2 The reply to this is simply that there is not a single instance in musical history of a pianist or other instrumentalist having risen to "eminence" who did not begin learning at an early age. Mozart started when 3, Mendelssohn was 6; and, in later days, Myra Hess’ began ‘at 3, Heifetz 3, Horowitz 6, Josef Hofmann 3, Casals 6, Kreisler 5, Rosenthal 7, Arthur Rubinstein 3, Paderewski 12, Hubermann 6, etc., etc. The list is endless. I challenge Mr. von Sturmer to cite one example to the contrary,

(3) "Your fingers may be stiff, but a few well-chosen exercises will loosen them." Every pianist and teacher knows the absurdity of this contention. It is not lbooseness, but absolute independence of the fingers that is required and which can be obtained only in youth. I have had long experience with pupils of all ages, and although those of 21 can certainly be taught to read music and to play passably, if talented, none will ever attain real fluency, let alone "eminence."

L. D.

AUSTIN

(Wellington).