Comments

Is learning freedom is easier than learning control?

It's good they got the best guy for the job. There are so many impediments to that that when it happens it's like a wondrous marvel.

Hmmm, I guess I could rephrase that as "Is learning freedom easier than learning control?" Well, you have to have the control before you can have the freedom! I suppose, unless they're mutually exclusive:) Do you liken your task now to changing your handwriting from handwriting manual perfect to something that a handwriting analyst could have fun with?

You know, the most interesting recital I ever saw...a guy who was originally local who went off and did ok in the Tchaikovsky competition. It was maybe twenty years ago. Probably a month later I wouldn't have been able to tell you what he played, much less how he played it. The thing was he was producing the most incredible sound, and it really never varied at all, and from the first note it was startling. The only way I can describe it would be it sounded the way a shower of sparks or something from a ray gun would look. It even seemed to have a visual origin at his sounding point, with everything coming out of there. I couldn't tell you what music he played, whether it was stylistically correct or not, but I do know the sound and its impression never changed. I have to think he had found his particular freedom - and critics be damned.

Laurie, it's interesting to hear your thoughts as a student and a teacher. We can all become better teachers by thinking about the strengths of our own teachers. (Leader of the Band: I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band.)