THE PIANOFORTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 June 1927, Page 2

THE PIANOFORTE

—■♦ —-■■•■-■ HINTS FOR STUDENTS

If the pianoforte student hopes to find in Paclerewpki's method a short cut to success'and fame, he is doomed to disappointment; twenty years ago he practised, sometimes for sixteen hours a day, and ho still finds it indispensible. "One must always be at it," he declares, "to keep the "lingers right and the memory active." "Discussing the pianoforte with a "Post" representative at Wellington yesterday, Paderewski remarked that perhaps the -greatest defects in the teaching of the instrument to-day are lack of attention to tone, which too often is sacrificed to mere manipulative dexterity, and .neglect of rhvthm and phrasing. The student was not sufficiently encouraged to develop the intellectual and poetic side of his nature. . On the one hand, he should be encouraged to study the. philosophical works of the present day and of past ages; and on the other, he should read the best, of the world's poetry. Again, the individuality of the student should be developed. When asked about jazz, the distinguished visitor was brief but to the point. "It is a perversion of rhythm and of taste," he said. "I prefer to say nothing about it. But —you cannot teach morals by teaching immorality—you know what I mean. That is enough."