Dear Friends,

A fascinating tradition in the music world involves tracing one's lineage of teachers back through the generations. Imagine being just a few degrees of separation from a legendary composer! For pianists, most everyone can trace their lineage back to Liszt and/or Beethoven.

For example, one of the major teachers I studied with, Gilbert Kalish, studied with Leonard Shure and Isabelle Vengerova. Shure studied with Artur Schnabel. Schnabel studied with Leschetizky, who studied with Czerny, who studied with Beethoven. Vengerova also studied with Leschetizky, which is another trail back to Beethoven.

I was thinking about this idea of musical legacy connecting us through the generations this past week, when I drove about an hour south to Indiana University, to hear Gilbert Kalish, now 89 years old, perform Mozart's B-flat Major Piano Concerto, K. 595. Jeffery Meyer was the conductor - we both studied with Kalish at the same time, so it was a double reunion!

Several of my current students came along to the performance, so the experience spanned three "generations" of piano study.

Applied music study is like an old-school apprenticeship. Through intensive one-on-one interactions over a period of years, each student becomes a composite of their teachers' experiences. In lessons, far more than information is shared; a teacher also passes along their musical and personal values.

While online resources like YouTube videos are incredibly valuable for learning and inspiration, nothing quite matches the depth of connection and growth that comes from a long-term, one-on-one relationship with a teacher.

Hearing my former teacher perform a piano concerto was a special opportunity. It gave me the chance to think about what I learned from Gilbert Kalish and from my other major teachers, and reflect for a moment on what I am passing along to my own students.

Mentorship is a powerful force in shaping who we become, as musicians and as citizens of the world. As I think about my own position in the musical legacies of the past and the future, I invite you to reflect on the mentors you've had, and how their influence lives on through you.

So my question for you this week is: Who is a mentor who shaped you, and how do you see their influence continuing in your work today? Write back and let me know - I do read every email I receive, and I also make every attempt to reply (even if my replies are sometimes delayed).

👋 Have a great week! Happy practicing! 🎹

-Kate

Today's Practice Tip: Record yourself! 📽️

When was the last time you used the video camera on your phone? Maybe earlier today! But when was the last time you recorded yourself playing the piano? Maybe never!

Many people avoid listening to themselves play piano, just as they might dislike hearing a recording of their own voice. However, if you're able to work through the initial discomfort of listening to yourself, it can lead to significant improvements in your piano practice.

Practicing the piano requires so much mental multitasking that it's easy to make simple mistakes without realizing it. Even advanced pianists can't always catch everything in real time.

By listening and watching yourself in a recording, you can dedicate all your attention to listening to yourself, identifying areas for improvement and growth.

This week's Exercise:

1. Record: Set up your phone or a camera so you can record yourself as you play. Select a piece you’ve been working on. Hit record, take a deep breath, and when you're ready, play the piece all the way through at a tempo you're comfortable with.
2. Listen: As you watch and listen to the recording, follow along with the score. Listen through once or twice for clear mistakes - wrong notes, rhythms, unplanned tempo changes, etc. Then listen through again, focusing on one specific musical element such as voicing, dynamics, phrasing, technical ease, etc. Mark any areas for improvement in your score.
3. Practice and repeat: Now, work on the specific places you've marked in your score. After a few days, record yourself again to see how you've progressed. Repeat this process regularly for continuous improvement!

🎥 YouTube Video:

College auditions are a short three months away! See what a college professor has to say about them in my video: How to Prepare for College Piano Auditions (Your COMPLETE Timeline). You will find everything you need to know about audition preparation, from reaching out to schools to audition repertoire.

You can also see Butler University’s audition schedule if you are interested in studying with me here in Indianapolis. Go Dawgs! 🐾

💜 Some of My Favorite Things

1. 🎹Repertoire: This piece was sent to me by a reader of this newsletter: Dr. Kevin Garnica. I loved hearing this beautifully proportioned piano quartet by composer Dora Pejačević (1858-1923). I was in love with this piece from the opening measures, and now I've added it to the list of pieces I hope to play someday!
2. 💡Lectures: In 2004, Sir András Schiff performed all 32 of the Beethoven sonatas in London’s Wigmore Hall. Prior to each program, he spoke about each piece in a lecture-recital format. These recordings were initially aired on the BBC and since then have been uploaded to YouTube. I turn to these lectures for insights when I play or teach one of the Beethoven sonatas.
3. 📚Book: The Art of Piano Playing (Neuhaus). This is one of the few books that every serious pianist should have on their shelf. In this classic text, legendary teacher Heinrich Neuhaus delves into technique, artistry, and the many aspects of piano practice that are necessary for a strong performance. His advice is both practical and inspiring. Find more of my book recommendations here.

🎹 Stay Connected:

• 📆 Book a lesson or a coaching session with me. I have updated my available dates through the end of October.
• 🎓 Contact me to learn about applying to study with me at Butler University at the undergraduate or master's level.
• 📚 Check out my resource pages, where I share my recommended books, technical exercises, gear and more!
• 🎥 Subscribe to my YouTube channel!
• 📱Follow me on Instagram!