””

BOGO: Add two ebooks to your cart, go to checkout and use code #bogo in the box on the right

Piano Lessons with Frederic Chopin

Piano Lessons With Frederic Chopin

You could actually take piano lessons with Frederic Chopin, if you had enough social class and cash. His students were a mix of great artists and the daughters of the upper classes. He made his living almost entirely from teaching piano, alone among the great composers. 

See also CHOPIN'S SINGING PIANO TONE

In the 1840’s he was the most famous piano teacher in Paris, largely because he was also one of the most famous and beloved composers in the world. His roster of students contained many great and good pianists, among them Mikuli, who became the editor of Chopin’s printed piano music. Chopin taught at home in a lavish, well appointed studio.

Easy Classical Piano

Printable PDF Download

  

Chopin’s Teaching Studio

It contained two pianos. There was one beautiful Erard concert grand, on which the student played, and a small cottage upright, at which the master sat and demonstrated. The master was always fastidiously attired in the latest fashions. He had a passion for perfectly white gloves, as well as a four-horse team at the ready should he wish to go visiting the upper class.

The master instructed his students to seek out and play only the finest pianos. He thought playing on inferior instruments ruined a good finger technique. His emphasis at first was on relieving the tension found in many students’ hands.

Chopin Reveals The Secret

There is the famous story of the English millionaire who sought to unlock the secret of the sublime G minor Ballade. “I’ll pay you 10,000 pounds if you will show me the secret of the Ballade.” Chopin chuckled and said, “Play it for me.”

The millionaire offered his rushed, overly emotional rendition of the famed concert warhorse. Chopin then took the money. He delivered his advice with a sly smile. “Relax.” The point being, Chopin’s music is tremendously difficult, and, on top of this, you have to be completely loose and relaxed.

Chopin’s Daily Schedule

Chopin began at eight in the morning and taught all day. This was because, as he said, “All those white gloves cost money.” He was a dandy and fastidious dresser, and traveled only in the highest echelons of Paris high society. He was in constant demand both as pianist and personality.

Chopin’s Teaching Methods

To the talented student, he was both inspiring and confusing. Giving great advice was his stock in trade. But one student pointed out that, “The master is so confusing. He demonstrates how I should play, but every time he plays a piece, it is completely different!”

To the untalented, he could be cruel. Many of his students were titled young ladies of very high social standing but little talent. They took lessons from Chopin because they could afford to. Taking lessons with Chopin conferred social status. It was an honor to study with such a great master.

But his assistant, Mikuli, noted many times when these rich young ladies would be reduced to tears and run away in horror. The master had criticized their playing most harshly.

Rich or poor, at the end of the lesson the student put their payment in gold on the mantelpiece, while the master discreetly turned his back. Great masters do not tarnish their hands with your money until your back is turned. 

ADULT PIANO BOOKS

REFERENCES

Music History

What Killed the Golden Age of the Piano

Carl Tausig Cooks His Cat

I Meet Aaron Copland

George Sand Killed Chopin

Why Brahms Must Have Been Fat

Artur Rubinstein Was A Vampire

Igor Stravinsky Loses His Cool

Vladimir Horowitz Goes To The Racetrack

Beethoven Was No Beauty

The World’s Largest Blue Danube Waltz

Was Mozart Murdered?

Beethoven’s Rage Over A Lost Penny

Franz Schubert, The First Bohemian

Chopin’s Singing Piano Tone

Stravinsky’s Good Luck

Tchaikovsky’s Greatest Fan

Hector Berlioz and the Orchestral Train Wreck

Piano Lessons with Papa Bach

The Great Piano Craze of 1910

The American Piano Wars

Why Hugo Wolf Went Insane

Rachmaninoff and the Evolution of Pop Songs

Musical Feuds

Piano In The Past Was Better

The Master’s Hands

Einstein’s Piano

Einstein’s Violin Improvisations In Gypsy Style

A History of Piano and Numbers

Ryan Seacrest’s Piano Concerto #2

1 comment

  • Creative production is a thing onto itself. What does it have to do with life, which can seem not at all relevent to what is produced? The lives of great masters are often astonishing. How can great music come from such individuals? You see, I have questions, but no answers.

    Geri

Leave a comment

PIANO BY NUMBER

We've turned notes into numbers for happy beginners at the piano!

Play Along Songs Are Fun!

PLAY FUN PIANO GAMES!

Turn that big piano into a toy! Play fun piano games with your child today! We help take the confusion out of beginning music theory.

PLAY FUN & GAMES
Downloads Sent Worldwide!

GET A DOWNLOAD!

International orders are welcome on ebooks! If requested we will send free pre-printed stickers worldwide! No shipping charges on downloads!

SHOP E BOOKS

eBOOKS INCLUDE STICKERS!

eBooks include a sticker template. You can use the sticker template and/or request FREE pre-printed stickers sent via surface mail.

Shop eBooks