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I will have to say bye to my teacher in about 3 months. I am now thinking of preparing something memorable for him before I go. Do you think these are too much?? 1. (I probably can't do it) Compose a piece dedicated to him and play it during my last lesson 2. (alternative to no. 1) Learn a piece about farewell by myself without letting him know. Play it for my last lesson 3. a gift 4. a thank you letter/card Plus, I don't know what to prepare for my secret repertoire and my gift. So please do give me some suggestions  I don't want to leave him  
Last edited by feebee_liszt; 03/23/11 05:50 PM.
The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides! - Schnabel
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Why do you have to leave him? A card is always a nice gift, as simple as it is... And maybe you could play Schubert's Farewell (Abschied) (if you can sing, you could even sing it). PS: I know how it is. I always hated to leave teachers I loved.
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How about recording a video of yourself (maybe your most polished piece, or the one you're most proud of) and put it up on youtube -- something you and your teacher had worked on together?
To me its like a musical photograph, something s/he can look back upon with hopefully fond memories. I think your teacher will have a sense of gratitude knowing s/he had something to do with your fine performance and development.
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Why do you have to leave him? A card is always a nice gift, as simple as it is... And maybe you could play Schubert's Farewell (Abschied) (if you can sing, you could even sing it). PS: I know how it is. I always hated to leave teachers I loved. It is because I am going to music college after this school year. It really should be a happy thing - he helped me to achieve what I thought was impossible. Having lessons with him is always the most enjoyable thing in the world. The Schubert (I looked at the transcription to piano by Liszt) is a little bit too hard (After all, I need to learn it without my teacher's help). But I have come up to some random ideas - Chopin Impromptu Op. 29 No. 1 in Ab major - Chopin Nocturne in C# minor, posthumous - A selections of 2-3 pieces from Mendelssohn Songs without words
The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides! - Schnabel
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It really should be a happy thing - he helped me to achieve what I thought was impossible. Having lessons with him is always the most enjoyable thing in the world. Write this in a card to him. It will mean to world to him! Preparing a piece for him is a very thoughtful idea as well.
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Why do you have to leave him? A card is always a nice gift, as simple as it is... And maybe you could play Schubert's Farewell (Abschied) (if you can sing, you could even sing it). PS: I know how it is. I always hated to leave teachers I loved. It is because I am going to music college after this school year. It really should be a happy thing - he helped me to achieve what I thought was impossible. Having lessons with him is always the most enjoyable thing in the world. The Schubert (I looked at the transcription to piano by Liszt) is a little bit too hard (After all, I need to learn it without my teacher's help). But I have come up to some random ideas - Chopin Impromptu Op. 29 No. 1 in Ab major - Chopin Nocturne in C# minor, posthumous - A selections of 2-3 pieces from Mendelssohn Songs without words Who is his favorite composer? I would think one of the Chopin ones would be good (dont' know a pianist who doesn't like Chopin!), but really a card would mean a lot to him too.
private piano/voice teacher FT ![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/forum/gallery/42/thumbs/2529.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://forum.pianoworld.com//gallery/42/medium/9342.png)
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Joined: May 2010
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
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How about recording a video of yourself (maybe your most polished piece, or the one you're most proud of) and put it up on youtube -- something you and your teacher had worked on together?
To me its like a musical photograph, something s/he can look back upon with hopefully fond memories. I think your teacher will have a sense of gratitude knowing s/he had something to do with your fine performance and development. Thanks. Maybe I will surprise him by giving him the link of my youtube channel on my signature
The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides! - Schnabel
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 419
Full Member
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OP
Full Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 419 |
Why do you have to leave him? A card is always a nice gift, as simple as it is... And maybe you could play Schubert's Farewell (Abschied) (if you can sing, you could even sing it). PS: I know how it is. I always hated to leave teachers I loved. It is because I am going to music college after this school year. It really should be a happy thing - he helped me to achieve what I thought was impossible. Having lessons with him is always the most enjoyable thing in the world. The Schubert (I looked at the transcription to piano by Liszt) is a little bit too hard (After all, I need to learn it without my teacher's help). But I have come up to some random ideas - Chopin Impromptu Op. 29 No. 1 in Ab major - Chopin Nocturne in C# minor, posthumous - A selections of 2-3 pieces from Mendelssohn Songs without words Who is his favorite composer? I would think one of the Chopin ones would be good (dont' know a pianist who doesn't like Chopin!), but really a card would mean a lot to him too. I have just found out his favourite pieces through his friends - beethoven waldstein, chopin barcarolle, b minor sonata - too hard for me to learn in 3 months. I will just concentrate on my current repertoire But I have just started writing a piece for him and have gone to about 50 bars. It sounds awful but hope he doesn't mind.
The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides! - Schnabel
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I think that is a wonderful and thoughtful idea.
A peronsalized gift from the heart, such as a song you wrote for him, will be appreciated a thousands times more than any store-bought gift. Doesn't mind if it sounds awful -- it "really is" the thought that counts the most.
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I am sure it doesn't sound awful at all and that he will be proud of you. I would be very moved if someone wrote a piece for me. Is this waltz by Chopin in your repertoire? It is called L'Adieu too, so maybe it is appropriate. I kept in touch with some of my teachers. I even got birthday wishes from one the other day!
Music is my best friend.
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Buy him a nice two set hardcover Beethoven Sonata from Henle Urtext, and write that you really appreciate all his teaching blah...blah....blah....Don't just give a card, it is not mean too much. Give something good....If you really like him as a teacher, you want to give something meaningful.
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Don't just give a card, it is not mean too much. Give something good....If you really like him as a teacher, you want to give something meaningful. And don't you think sincere words written with gratitude are meaningful? If I were the teacher I'd love the hardback Henle Beethoven, of course (though it would set you back nearly two hundred dollars here!) - but perhaps he already has it. PS I love the writing him a piece idea!
Du holde Kunst...
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Don't just give a card, it is not mean too much. Give something good....If you really like him as a teacher, you want to give something meaningful. And don't you think sincere words written with gratitude are meaningful? If I were the teacher I'd love the hardback Henle Beethoven, of course (though it would set you back nearly two hundred dollars here!) - but perhaps he already has it. PS I love the writing him a piece idea! Nope...everybody can write nice words! But the willingness to give or spend on something is the sign of deep gratitude, and appreciation.
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Nope...everybody can write nice words! But the willingness to give or spend on something is the sign of deep gratitude. I would have said anyone can spend money on a fancy gift, but taking the time to think and frame a sincere written message is a sign of deep gratitude. Of course either, neither or both can be a sign of deep gratitude. It depends on the attitude of the giver.
Du holde Kunst...
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Nope...everybody can write nice words! But the willingness to give or spend on something is the sign of deep gratitude. I would have said anyone can spend money on a fancy gift, but taking the time to think and frame a sincere written message is a sign of deep gratitude. Of course either, neither or both can be a sign of deep gratitude. It depends on the attitude of the giver. Go to a market spend $2 for a card and write blah...blah...blah. Go to the internet and spend $100 on whatever hard cover Henle Urtext....Which one is the bigger sacrifice? Lip service is easy...real sacrifice (spending serious money) is not....only when the receiver means a lot that people want to sacrifice.
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Which one is the bigger sacrifice? Lip service is easy...real sacrifice (spending serious money) is not....only when the receiver means a lot that people want to sacrifice. There are plenty of other reasons for people to spend big on a farewell gift - guilt, feeling of obligation, desire to look good or generous etc. Pity about anyone who can't afford an expensive gift if that's the only way to truly show gratitude. Anyway, it doesn't sound like I'll convince you, so I'll just say again: Either, neither or both can be a sign of deep gratitude. It all depends on the attitude of the giver. I personally would rather have sincere words on a card than an expensive present bought out of a sense of obligation.
Du holde Kunst...
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I personally would rather have sincere words on a card than an expensive present bought out of a sense of obligation.
Me too...
Music is my best friend.
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I personally would rather have sincere words on a card than an expensive present bought out of a sense of obligation.
Me too... Me three! Actually, I'd love to have my student write me a piece of music and perform it for me. That will speak louder than any Henle Urtext volume. I have all the Henles that I need, and then some.
Private Piano Teacher and MTAC Member
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I am sure it doesn't sound awful at all and that he will be proud of you. I would be very moved if someone wrote a piece for me. Is this waltz by Chopin in your repertoire? It is called L'Adieu too, so maybe it is appropriate. I kept in touch with some of my teachers. I even got birthday wishes from one the other day! It is really a GREAT one! Thanks, I am going to learn this one
The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides! - Schnabel
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